International Samaritan volunteers take part in a service immersion experience supporting communities in need.
Our Story with International Samaritan
International Samaritan works alongside families living and working near garbage dump communities in developing nations, helping young people gain the education, resources and support needed to build a different future.
Its Samaritan Scholars program provides holistic scholarships that extend beyond tuition to include school supplies, transportation, food, health and wellness support, mentoring and other resources that help students remain in school and succeed.
The Weingartz family has supported International Samaritan for many years, helping the Ann Arbor-based organization expand its reach and create opportunities for students and families around the world.
How Weingartz Supports International Samaritan
Longstanding Family Support
The Weingartz family has been part of International Samaritan's network of supporters for many years. The organization recognizes the Weingartz family among the families whose significant investments helped expand and sustain its work.
$2.2 Million for East Africa
In 2023, the Weingartz Family Foundation provided a $2.2 million grant to help International Samaritan expand into Kenya and Uganda. The investment helped establish local teams and holistic scholarship programs for young people living near garbage dump communities.
Creating Spaces for Students & Families
The Weingartz Family Foundation has also helped International Samaritan create spaces where scholars and their families can learn, gather and access support. In 2026, the foundation made possible a renovated Family Life Center in Guatemala City featuring classrooms, offices, a gym, kitchen and community event space.
Leadership Beyond Giving
Dan Weingartz serves as Chair of International Samaritan's Board of Trustees, providing leadership and helping guide the organization's continued growth and long-term mission.
Seeing the Work Firsthand
The Weingartz family's involvement extends beyond financial support. Dan Weingartz has traveled with International Samaritan to meet scholars, families and local teams, including visits to East Africa to see the organization's programs and community impact firsthand.
International Samaritan scholars in Uganda participate in a program focused on education and opportunities for a brighter future.
Community members gather to celebrate the opening of an International Samaritan Family Life Center in Honduras.
International Samaritan supporters gather in Ann Arbor for a celebration highlighting its work in Kenya and Uganda.
International Samaritan scholars in Honduras take part in a Children’s Day celebration.
International Samaritan volunteers participate in a service immersion experience alongside communities in Honduras.
Trinity Health volunteers support International Samaritan’s work through a service experience in Ethiopia.
Our Partner
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, International Samaritan works alongside communities where families survive by living and working near garbage dumps. Its primary focus is education through the Samaritan Scholars program. Holistic scholarships support students from early childhood through college or trade school while also addressing barriers such as food insecurity, transportation, health and wellness, mentoring and family needs.
By investing in education and supporting entire families, International Samaritan works to help young people develop the skills and opportunities needed to build more secure futures and become leaders within their communities.
International Samaritan is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families living in extreme poverty, particularly those who live and work in communities surrounding garbage dumps. Through education, healthcare, housing improvements, and community development initiatives, International Samaritan works to create opportunities for families to build healthier, more stable futures.
International Samaritan supports individuals and families living in communities affected by extreme poverty, particularly those who depend on garbage dumps for their livelihoods. The organization focuses on helping children, students, and families access educational opportunities, healthcare, and resources that improve their quality of life.
The Weingartz family has supported International Samaritan for many years through charitable contributions, leadership involvement, and direct engagement with the communities it serves. In 2023, the Weingartz Family Foundation provided a $2.2 million grant to help expand educational programs in Kenya and Uganda. The foundation also supported the renovation of a Family Life Center in Guatemala City in 2026.
International Samaritan is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and supports communities in countries around the world. Founded in 1994, the organization works with families living near garbage dumps, including communities in Kenya, Uganda, Guatemala, Honduras, and Ethiopia, helping create opportunities through education and community support.
The Samaritan Scholars program provides holistic scholarships to help young people continue their education from early childhood through college or trade school. In addition to tuition assistance, the program supports students with school supplies, transportation, food, healthcare, mentoring, and other resources needed to succeed academically and personally.
You can support International Samaritan through financial donations, volunteer opportunities, and community involvement. Contributions help fund educational scholarships, essential resources, and programs that support families living in extreme poverty. Visit International Samaritan to learn more about its mission and ways to get involved.