Sammy's Big Adventure Begins with a Hug in this New Catholic Charities Book

(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities)

Every child who arrives at Catholic Charities Samaritan House gets to choose a stuffed animal.

It may seem like a small thing. But for a frightened child entering an unfamiliar place, that stuffed teddy bear, bunny or puppy often becomes a sign that someone cares. It becomes a friend to hug at bedtime, someone to hold during difficult moments and a comforting reminder that they are created in the image and likeness of God.

That simple act of welcome inspired Sammy's Adventures at Samaritan House, a new children's book created to celebrate Samaritan House's 40th anniversary while helping children understand the special place they now call home. Sammy, the book's lovable teddy bear narrator, explains that his three most important jobs are simple: listening, snuggling and helping people feel brave.

Sammy isn't just a storybook character. He represents every stuffed animal that has comforted a child arriving at Samaritan House — a small gift that often brings peace during an overwhelming moment.

The idea for the book grew from Catholic Charities' Cozy Companion Drive. After discovering that allowing children to choose and keep a stuffed animal reduced the stress of arriving at Samaritan House, Catholic Charities launched the drive 18 months ago. Since then, more than a half dozen Catholic parishes, schools and community groups have donated thousands of stuffed animals, bringing comfort not only to children at Samaritan House but also to families served through Catholic Charities’ Early Childhood Education, Catholic Charities Housing and Marisol Family locations.

Every stuffed animal placed into a child's arms was first donated by someone who wanted that child to know they are loved. Through the Cozy Companion Drive, parishioners, students and neighbors have become part of each child's welcome, living out Christ's call to care for the most vulnerable in a simple but deeply meaningful way.

The book also introduces young readers to the remarkable history behind Samaritan House. Long before Sammy welcomed children through its doors, Archbishop James V. Casey dreamed of creating something the nation had never seen before — a building designed from the ground up to welcome families experiencing homelessness with dignity, compassion and hope. Before his passing, Archbishop Casey broke ground for Samaritan House on July 31, 1985, in what would become his final major public act as Archbishop of Denver.

His successor, then-Archbishop James F. Stafford, carried that vision to completion, dedicating Samaritan House in November 1986, making this year Samaritan House’s 40th anniversary. It became the first building in the United States designed specifically as a shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, reflecting the Catholic Church's unwavering belief that every person deserves safety, dignity and the opportunity for a new beginning.

"This book was truly a labor of love," said Stacy Baum, vice president of marketing and community engagement at Catholic Charities and the book's author. "As we prepared to celebrate Samaritan House's 40th anniversary this year, we wanted to tell the incredible story of this historic building in a way children could understand. But even more than that, we wanted every child who receives this book to know they are loved, they belong here and they have people who care about them."

Bringing that vision to life was Shelley Bezek, Catholic Charities' graphic designer and project manager, who has served the organization for 10 of Samaritan House's 40 years. Bezek spent months developing Sammy's warm personality and creating dozens of illustrations that tell the story of Samaritan House through a child's eyes. Together, the team transformed the history of an iconic building into a story of belonging, courage and hope.

Thanks to generous supporters, Catholic Charities plans to share copies of Sammy's Adventures at Samaritan House with children during the 40th anniversary celebration in August and with future families arriving in the months and years ahead. More than a keepsake, the book becomes another way of welcoming children into a place where they can feel safe.

Throughout its pages, Sammy introduces young readers to warm meals, caring staff, places to play, bedtime stories and, of course, the stuffed animal welcome team that helps children discover they belong. What begins as the story of a teddy bear quietly becomes the story of thousands of children whose lives have been touched by Samaritan House over the past four decades.

Since 1927, Catholic Charities has extended the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by supporting neighbors and transforming lives. Sometimes that ministry looks like housing, counseling or a hot meal.

And sometimes, it begins with a stuffed animal, a storybook and a simple message every child deserves to hear: You are welcome here. You belong here. You are not alone.