A Comfort Care Home

Samaritan House, located at 3 Morgan Terrace, Wellsboro, is a community ministry coordinated by St. Peter's Catholic Parish. We offer residence to a person in the last stages of their life. Care and comfort are provided by community volunteers in cooperation with Hospice.

Our approach is holistic. Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs are addressed, as we affirm life without hastening or postponing death. Our commitment flows from a belief in the dignity and value of every person and the importance of each moment of life.

Referrals may come from social workers, community health nurses, families, physicians, as well as dying individuals.

Samaritan House charges no fee. We are supported by donations, grants, and fundraising efforts.

The time and talents of many enable this ministry to exist. Thus, volunteers are our greatest resource.

Picture of House

Our Mission

The mission of Samaritan House is to provide compassionate comfort care to our guests as they approach the end of life. Our volunteers also support family members and strive to promote the dignity and independence of our guests within a loving, home-like environment.

Choose to Volunteer

The time and talent of many people are needed to enable the ministry of Samaritan House. We invite those of all faiths to participate in this ecumenical community of service. It is a privilege and a blessing to share in someone's end-of-life experience. Volunteers are scheduled for four-hour shifts at their convenience. Shifts can also be split or shared with another trained volunteer. Periodic orientation and training sessions are offered to new volunteers.

Celebrating our 25th Year of Service to the Community

We are participating in Raise the Region, a unique 30 hour online giving campaign that supports local nonprofit organizations! Please consider making a donation between 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13th and 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 14th.
Our link is: Give to Samaritan House!


Our Volunteer Appreciation Brunch was held on April 29th, 2023. UPMC's Hospice Team shared information of practical importance and led a discussion for new volunteers. A tour of the Samaritan Home concluded the morning's gathering. A few pictures of the event are included below.

Our Steering Committee

Our Steering Committee members are dedicated volunteers, having many years of experience with Samaritan House

Seated: Laurie Coffee (Volunteer Recruitment), Mary D. Grab (Administrator) Back Row: Mel Rupert (Building and Grounds), Michele Comes, Linda Sampson (Volunteer Scheduler), and Coleen Evert. Missing from photo: Lillian Fox.

Photos of Our Home

Samaritan House is located behind St. Peter's Catholic Church. The home contains a furnished living room, bedroom, kitchen, family room, and bathroom. There are sleeping accommodations for family members on the lower level. The house has been decorated to be home-like and comfortable. Television is available and towels and linens are provided. Off-street parking is reserved for family and friends of guests.

Guest Room
Guest Room
Living Room
Living Room
Kitchen Area
Kitchen Area
Family Room
Family Room

Testimonials from Family Members and Volunteers

"Samaritan House provides a wonderful option to Tioga County families, whether they can't manage home care for a loved one due to children, work, or just plain inability... My volunteer experiences there since my father's passing have been wonderful opportunities to give back to our community, to meet new folks, and to 'share the care' for those no longer able to live independently as they near their end. I feel truly enriched by the opportunity to volunteer at this community resource!" - Bryn ~ A Volunteer

"It is never easy to make decisions when a doctor recommends that a loved one consider receiving hospice services. a family's natural inclination is to stall and deny and continue to care for him or her at home. At some point exhaustion sets in and it becomes clear that help is necessary. Our family got to that point and made a call to the Samaritan House, and we are so glad we did. The facility became a home away from home for the entire family. The volunteers were loving and kind and offered exemplary care. And most important, our mother accepted the loving care she received. Regular visits from hospice professionals continued, with care from many excellent volunteers. along with care from the family. It was really the best scenario during a very emotional time. Our family will always appreciate the loving care our Mom received from the Samaritan House." ~ a Family Member

"Volunteering at Samaritan House has been a very positive experience which I'd encourage others to explore. The people involved teach one to be humble and respectful of human life. It enables feeling the spirit of Christianity." – Gale ~ A Volunteer

"I cannot express enough my gratitude for all they did for my Dad, a stranger in need to them. My Dad was treated with kindness and love from all the volunteers. They bathed, shaved, changed him numerous times, and cared for him unconditionally. My children were able to be with him and talk to him during his last week. My Dad passed knowing how much he was loved by his family and total strangers. He died with dignity. He died knowing his life mattered. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Samaritan House, and to all the volunteers for caring so graciously for my Dad. All of this has provided great comfort for me this past year!" - Lori ~ a Family Member

"As a retired RN, I have time as well as a desire to do something useful and worthwhile with that experience. I count it a privilege and a blessing to be able to make a difference to one who is passing, to help them be comfortable and pain-free as much as possible, and to support the person’s family. I think of the saying, “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” We all hope that when our own time comes, there will be somebody there to care and make our passing peaceful." - Trisha ~ A Volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions

Guests are referred by social workers, home health agencies, hospitals, family, health care providers or by themselves.The house can only accommodate one guest at a time.

Guests and their families do not have to be of any particular faith. Many of our guests have not been active in any faith. All are welcome.

Samaritan House charges no fee. We are supported by donations, grants, and fundraising efforts.

Although the house is owned and operated by St. Peter’s church and community, many volunteers come from different faiths or none at all. Samaritan House is an ecumenical, community-based mission. We continue to need volunteers!

Volunteers only work when we have a guest. Volunteer hours are flexible. A volunteer may work as many or as few hours a week as they wish when we have a guest. We ask that volunteers commit to a least one shift per guest. Typical shifts are four hours, although in some cases, they can be split. Volunteers are asked to communicate their availability with the scheduler when a new guest is welcomed.

Anyone can volunteer! We offer a training program for volunteers. No experience in the health care field is necessary to volunteer at Samaritan House.

State and Diocesan guidelines require that all volunteers obtain Criminal History, Child Abuse, and FBI clearances, as well as Save Environment training. All can be accomplished online. Links to these websites can be found under the Volunteer tab.

Volunteering offers an opportunity to minister to a dying guest and share a rich human connection with the person and with their loved ones. Volunteers often comment on the positive experiences they have known through this ministry.

Contact Info

  • Email: samaritan.house.3@gmail.com
  • Address: 3 Morgan Terrace, Wellsboro, PA 16901

    Behind St. Peter's Catholic Church and

    Across from Soldiers and Sailors Emergency Room

Resources

  • 'The Hardest Peace: Experiencing Grace in the Midst of Life's Hard' by Kara Tippetts
  • 'Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying' by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley
  • "Samaritan House is a 'Spa for the Dying'" by Peter Feuerherd
  • American Hospice Foundation Website: Link
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Website: Link
  • Sacred Death Care and the Deathwalker Archetype Video: Link