Good Samaritan Home Launches New $1 Million Program to Expand Mental Health Access in Rural Indiana

The Good Samaritan Home, Inc. (Good Sam) in Evansville, Ind., has committed $1 million to launch a new internship and faculty program in partnership with the University of Southern Indiana (USI), expanding mental health and social services for underserved communities in southwestern Indiana.

The gift will create hands-on learning experiences for social work students while helping deliver vital services in rural and underserved areas, part of Good Sam’s enduring commitment to care, compassion, and community health.

Founded more than 60 years ago as a ministry of the United Church of Christ, The Good Samaritan Home has long been committed to the well-being of older adults and those on the margins. Today, that commitment continues through strategic partnerships like this one, building capacity in the next generation of caregivers while expanding access to care.

The grant is part of Good Sam’s new direction and vision following a two-year process of discernment on new ways Good Sam could address poverty, mental health, and senior care. In 2023, The Good Samaritan Home, Inc., sold its facility and operations to another provider. Good Sam Inc. remains a not-for-profit corporation, with the future in the hands of its members. Its new office is at Bethel UCC in Evansville.

After extensive research and dialogue, the Good Sam Board presented a unified plan that brings these priorities together in one mission with two initiatives: a $5 million, five-year grantmaking program to support affordable housing in southwestern Indiana, and a $1 million partnership with the University of Southern Indiana to expand access to mental health and senior care through social work education and outreach. The plan was approved in May 2025. These efforts continue Good Samaritan’s legacy of compassionate service, rooted in Christian love and concern.

“This gift from The Good Samaritan Home is both generous and visionary,” said Steve Bridges, USI President. “It addresses an urgent need in our region by preparing more students to become highly skilled social workers while also extending vital services to communities that need them most. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the impact it will have on our students, our university, and the people of southwestern Indiana.” 

Internship eligibility will be limited to USI students enrolled in USI social work programs who meet prerequisites for generalist or clinical internships and demonstrate an interest in supporting underserved or rural communities. The program will be overseen by USI in close collaboration with Good Sam, which will help guide its impact and ensure alignment with regional needs and Good Sam’s values.

The USI College of Liberal Arts, in partnership with the Social Work Program leadership, will oversee the program and collaborate with The Good Samaritan Home to establish outcome metrics. 

“We are very excited to be partnering with USI to help create more highly skilled social workers in southwestern Indiana and to provide critically needed mental health services in this region,” said the Rev. Michael Erwin, Good Sam executive director. “The Good Samaritan Home was an innovative outreach of the United Churches of Christ when it was begun 60 years ago. Times have changed, but our focus has not, serving those in need with care, compassion, knowledge, and expertise. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to its future.” 

Through the USI–Good Samaritan Internship Program, Good Sam is investing in the future of social work and mental health care in our region, equipping students and communities alike with tools for healing, connection, and hope.

The Good Samaritan Home is owned by the UCC churches of the Evansville Tri-State Association, the UCC’s Lincolnland Association, and two congregations of the UCC’s Wabash Valley Association. The Home is governed by a Board of Directors and is a member of the Indiana/Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the Council of Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ.