At the time the organization was established as a faith-based organization, and only served refugees, asylees, and immigrants who entered the US and were resettled in the Charlotte Metropolitan Region, who were Christian. Eventually, the organization would encounter non-Christian refugees, asylees, and immigrants, seeking services provided, and as a result were denied, and in many instances, left
with no other options. Shortly afterwards, it was determined that if the organization was comprised of Christians truly doing a Christian work, then the Christian way of handling the affairs of the organization would be to even include non-Christians in need of the same services, especially considering the treacherous conditions and dire needs of all refugees and asylees. Olangi resigned his position as Executive Director, and the organization was further amended by current Executive Director Patrice K. Ognodo, as The Neighborhood Good Samaritan's Center, Inc., thus broadening the scope of the mission to include refugees, asylees, and immigrants, regardless of religious affiliation, in 2005. Accordingly, NGSC was granted 501 (c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Service Code in 2006. The programs at Neighborhood Good Samaritan Center Inc., are offered to refugees, asylees, and new immigrants, and are integral for them to adapt to society and improve their quality of life. At our Vocations Center the refugees, whose families- on average earn about $7.25 per hour at a little less than $13,000.00 per year- can receive clothing, food and other human basic needs. This is especially necessary for asylum seekers, and DV immigrants just entering the United States, as they cannot qualify for food-stamps, Medicaid, or cash assistance. Low-income immigrants have a 5 year bar before they can get food stamps or Medicaid. The refugees come from war-torn countries--mostly from East Asia, although a significant cohort also come from the Middle East and Africa, and require a plethora of government services to help them overcome language and cultural barriers. We believe that the key is a quality basic education, which is why our Vocations Center will continue to provide, to the 500 plus clients we reach quarterly, Basic English Tutorials (BET), and other classes in art, math, computer literacy, and hands on training for computer skills-which are needed in order for literally anyone in the US to be able to compete in today’s highly aggressive job market-to our clients who usually have little or no job skills. NGSC furthers its mission by assisting refugees in gaining access to capital--which will in return assist in the achievement of the organizational goal of refugee micro-enterprise capitalization, through its established limited partnership with Westair Group, Inc., which is a customs brokerage firm that specializes in freight and cargo customs imports/exports, specifically for immigrants and refugees--most of who are current and former clients of NGSC, who have established international business through restaurants, grocery stores, wholesale warehouses, and beauty and specialty shops. Neighborhood Good Samaritan Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, all donations are tax-deductible, and the organization operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the guidelines of the 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Service code, as amended from time to time. In a typical quarter, the organization receives 300 to 500 new clients, most of whom are referred to us by the refugee resettlement agencies we partner with. We also establish new client relationships via word-of-mouth and churches as current and former clients inform their friends and family about our services.
