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    • Creating a culture of care, one phone call at a time

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    call center worker on phone

    Connection Center staff members frequently develop friendships with the people they help.

    One staff member, Pat Taber, recently received a small box made out of a greeting card from a woman she’s been corresponding with. Inside the box was a dollar bill with a note telling Pat to select a sweet treat of her choice.

    The woman has written Pat on other occasions and they’ve continued to keep in touch.

    Another staff member, Betsy Goltz, received a small 1920s devotional from a man she’s been corresponding with.

    She checks in with him on occasion to see how he’s doing after experiencing some health concerns.

    Pat and Betsy, who’ve each worked in their roles for about two years, say the friendships they’ve developed are the most fulfilling parts of their jobs.

    “I learn so much. They’re a source of wisdom,” says Betsy of the seniors she talks to.

    “It’s neat to touch these peoples’ lives,” Pat adds.

    Creating a culture of care, one phone call at a time

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    • Category: Advocacy
    • Keywords:
      • support
      • Connection Center
      • empty nest
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      • advance directive
    • Comments: 0
    • Posted: 5/17/2018
    man on telephone

    In an era when customer service is most often digitized or outsourced, it’s rare for organizations to offer sincere, person-to-person engagement.

    The Good Samaritan Society’s Connection Center stands out as an example of genuine compassion for those the Society desires to serve — no matter where they end up receiving services.

    In the five years since its launch, the Connection Center's nine staff members have reached thousands of people calling for help.

    When the phone rings, Connection Center staff members are ready to listen. They have fielded calls from seniors who need a place to live, family members who are worried about a parent living alone, individuals experiencing health problems or challenging family dynamics, and people who just want to talk.

    Many of the people who call the Connection Center are seniors who feel isolated or who are facing unique challenges and struggles in their daily lives. They may be lonely or seeking purpose in life."

    Often times, they simply want someone who will talk with them and listen to them.

    Other times, the caller is a caregiver who is unsure of where to get help for their loved one. Many are overwhelmed and don’t even know where to start, and the Connection Center helps them work through the challenges they are facing in talking to their parents about moving.

    Unlike many businesses, the goal of the Connection Center isn’t just to answer the phone and find a way to funnel someone toward our services.

    The goal is to listen and find ways to offer loving, compassionate help.

    For some, that means introducing the caller to a Good Samaritan Society location in their community.

    In areas where the Good Samaritan Society doesn’t have locations, staff members can help connect the person in need with other services in their own community.

    The Connection Center does its best to meet the needs for each caller.

    When they hang up, they want that person to have more information than they had before they called and they want them to feel good about having called, whether there is a Good Samaritan Society location near them or not.

    Everyone who calls the Connection Center has an opportunity to experience the love, care and compassion the Good Samaritan Society strives to show through its work.

    On a daily basis, the Connection Center team receives warm feedback in the form of comments such as “I love you,” “You’re a godsend,” and “You literally saved my life” from those they have helped.

    It’s that ability to make a difference for others while spreading the mission of the Good Samaritan Society that makes the work so rewarding and fulfilling.

    If you're struggling to find the senior care resources you need, we invite you to call our Connection Center at (888) GSS-CARE.

    We're here to help.

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    4800 W 57th St
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108

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    The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (the Society) and Owner comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, familial status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status or other protected statuses except as permitted by applicable law, in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, and in staff and employee assignments to individuals, whether carried out by the Society directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which the Society arranges to carry out its programs and activities. The designated person responsible for coordinating efforts to comply with Section 504 requirements is: Director of Affordable Housing, Property Management, 4800 W. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108; phone: (605) 362-3100. For telecommunications relay service dial 711. All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

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