One of the state’s largest faith-based nonprofits, Samaritas has been sending ripples of positive change into Michigan communities since 1934. Samaritas serves people of all ages and backgrounds including providing resettlement services for New Americans, adoption and foster care, and at-home services, and residential communities for seniors and persons with disabilities, through assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. Affordable living residential communities are also available for independent seniors, families and persons with disabilities.
More than safe harbor in crisis, Samaritas comes through, when others don’t, with a path home. Samaritas connects all people based on their individual circumstances with the families and communities that will empower them to live their fullest life possible. Potential fulfilled, those served then promote the dignity of others, launching into the community an unending ripple effect of transformation.
ArtPrize 2018 attendees and local residents alike will leave no stone unturned while searching downtown for the elusive pieces of what will recreate a local artist’s mural.
Anyone who finds one of the rock pieces can deliver it to New Holland Brewing Company’s Knickerbocker location, and receive a discount on a food or beverage purchase there. The new mural will be constructed by all the individual rocks and displayed in front of the Knickerbocker, mirrored by the original hanging inside.
Samaritas’s mission of connecting communities and empowering individuals drives the spirit of this unique initiative. Samaritas has long aimed to lift up the people and communities it serves in a generative fashion, inspiring the same ripple effect of transformation for generations to come. With teamwork as a guiding principal, Samaritas exemplifies the collaborative action that facilitates such growth.
The rock scavenger hunt takes place from September 19 to October 7. The mural will be complete by the final day of ArtPrize. Samaritas hopes this initiative will engender a spirit of teamwork and engagement within the community.
Erick Picardo’s work tells universal stories while drawing deeply on his Afro-Carribean heritage. An artist and community organizer, his work exhibits internationally.
People can exchange painted stone puzzle pieces at the Knickerbocker New Holland Brewing Company for $2 off of a food or beverage purchase (minimum purchase required). Samaritas will host a rock painting in Rosa Parks Circle on September 29, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. The rocks decorated at that event will also be hidden for discovery throughout downtown Grand Rapids.
Applied Imaging printed the puzzle pieces the effort. Birch Tree Bark & Stone and Verhey Carpet donated the stones.