Mission Statement
Cedars Samaritan Care is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Boston, Massachusetts that aims to create initiatives to improve the quality of life for underserved and vulnerable patients in Lebanon. We are committed to give back to our community by providing access to healthcare, education, nutrition and other resources. We hope our efforts will take one step closer to mitigating the cost and burden of families in dire need.
Meaningful Possibilities
Commitment, transparency, and innovation are the three values that have stood at the center of the Cedars Samaritan Care mission. We wholeheartedly commit to the work we do with passion and dedication, while transparently sharing it with the Lebanese community and inviting others to partake. Furthermore, we challenge ourselves to think creatively by applying an innovative approach to all that we do. This mission drives the continued success of Cedars Samaritan Care.
Our goal and objectives
Lebanon continues to face unprecedented circumstances that are depriving citizens of the essential care and services they deserve. The economic and political turmoil results in a detrimental effect on the quality of life people can achieve. Affordability and access to services are dangerously low and there is no solution in sight.
At Cedars Samaritan Care, our goal is to bring together a network of individuals to ensure that the people of Lebanon are able to access the resources they need to lead healthy and prosperous lives. We strive to collaborate on ideas and host fundraising events to raise and distribute charitable donations among various sectors in Lebanon.
Our innovative projects in the healthcare, education and nutrition and food systems divisions will provide practical and meaningful ways to help the underserved receive the funding and resources they need to succeed. We work closely with established foundations in Lebanon that are committed to serving those in need including the Heart of Youth, Embrace Lebanon, Cancer Support Fund at AUBMC, Pill Donors and more.
Meet the Team
The core of our work requires the collaboration of ambitious and diligent Lebanese community members.
President and Director
Samantha Youssef
From her time living in Lebanon, Samantha developed a heartfelt connection to her roots that instilled in her a passion to support the people of her country during continued adversity. She hopes to bring together a community of like-minded people that wish to improve the quality of life of others and restore their faith in humanity. Samantha holds a Masters of Public Health degree and her interests lie in community health and preventative care. Her focus is to promote health equity and reduce the financial burden to access healthcare.
Director
Jennifer Mitri
Jennifer will be attending Physician Assistant school in the fall and is currently working in clinical research trials at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She aspires to become a Physician Assistant who will expand healthcare access to underserved and unprivileged communities. Jennifer recognizes and respects the values of her Lebanese heritage. She is motivated to reduce and spread awareness of the healthcare insecurity that Lebanon is currently facing today.
Director
Julia Metri
Julia holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Food Systems and Health from Cornell University. She is passionate about the systematic relationship between food systems, population health, and health equity with a focus on developing countries and marginalized communities. Following the Beirut Port explosion and amidst the economic crisis, Julia spent three months in Lebanon in 2022 working on developing a nutrition curriculum to support community-based initiatives related to food access, nutrition quality, food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture. She is committed to using her expertise and experience to continue to address the complex challenges facing food systems and health, particularly in the low-income and marginalized communities of Lebanon.
Chief Financial Officer
Andy Youssef
A first-generation born Lebanese American, Andy grew up spending over 20 summers of his life in Lebanon and has been deeply moved by the economic, political and war-stricken conflicts that have left his fellow Lebanese citizens extremely vulnerable. He hopes to help lead initiatives to assist families and local Lebanese citizens with the basic healthcare and financial wellness they deserve. Andy will focus on the financial operations involved to support initiatives. He is a Vice President at JPMorgan, where he has been involved in volunteer efforts such as financial literacy initiatives across NYC. Andy holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Event Coordinator
Stephanie Homsy Lakkis
Stephanie's longstanding commitment to the Lebanese community is unwavering, as she remains deeply devoted to aiding others and promoting cultural awareness. Her pursuit of a doctorate degree in optometry reflects her deep love for the field. She recognizes Lebanon's urgent need for driven, resolute, and enthusiastic individuals to assist in mending the remnants of conflict and injustice. Her ultimate goal is to persist in her mission to positively impact people's lives by offering support to the Lebanese community during times of medical and financial hardship.