When actress, activist and Santa Barbara resident Meg Ryan chose Good Samaritan Shelter as a model organization for her documentary series Empowered, it wasn’t just recognition — it was validation of 25 years of quietly transforming lives on the Central Coast.
That work steps into the spotlight next month when the Lobero Theatre premieres the resulting film alongside an evening designed to change how Santa Barbara sees homelessness.
Vocalist Lois Mahalia will perform at the Oct. 16 premiere of the documentary, Hope Lives Here: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness, at the Lobero Theatre. Credit: LoisMahalia.com photo 
Sylvia Barnard has led Good Samaritan Shelter since 1997, expanding it into the Central Coast’s largest homeless services provider Credit: Good Samaritan Shelter photo 
Actor Duane Henry will share personal reflections on his own experience with homelessness in an on-stage conversation with Good Samaritan Shelter executive director Sylvia Barnard. Credit: Henry family photo
The heart of the evening on Oct. 16 is the premiere of a short film, Hope Lives Here: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness.
Created for public television, the documentary offers an intimate look at the challenge of homelessness in Santa Barbara County while shining a light on the life-changing programs that Good Samaritan provides.
The night begins with a VIP and sponsor reception featuring farm-to-table foods prepared by students of Good Samaritan’s culinary training program.
The menu will highlight fresh ingredients grown at Bridgehouse Farm, Good Samaritan’s 3½-acre farm, which produces thousands of pounds of fresh produce each year for its shelters and housing programs.
Guests will taste the impact of these programs that offer not just nourishment, but opportunities to build valuable skills.
After the film, guests will experience a performance by acclaimed vocalist Lois Mahalia, whose diverse vocal styles have graced stages alongside artists Kenny Loggins and Joe Walsh.
The program continues with an onstage conversation between actor Duane Henry, known for his role on NCIS, and Good Samaritan executive director Sylvia Barnard. Henry will share personal reflections on his early life, which includes his own experience with homelessness, while Barnard will offer insight into Good Samaritan’s mission and the people it serves.
For Barnard, the event is both professional and personal. Since taking the helm of Good Samaritan in 1997, she has guided the nonprofit organization through significant growth, expanding services throughout Santa Barbara County.
“We are literally changing one life at a time and removing the stigma associated with the homeless population.”
sylvia barnard
Under her leadership, Good Samaritan has become the largest provider of homeless services on the Central Coast. It operates more than 70 programs, including emergency shelters, housing support, treatment and recovery services, and job training.
“To be selected by Meg Ryan’s Empowered documentary series as a model organization for the nation is such an honor,” Barnard told me.
“We are hoping to utilize this experience to educate the community on our numerous programs, and how we are literally changing one life at a time and removing the stigma associated with the homeless population.”
The event promises to be an inspiring experience that brings together arts and advocacy to educate, strengthen compassion and encourage the community to create lasting impact.
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The program surrounding the premiere of Hope Lives Here: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness starts at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido in Santa Barbara. Click here to purchase tickets online.
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