Exploring Life & Business with Annika Sumby of The Samaritan Center – Simi Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annika Sumby.

Hi Annika, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Germany, but life has taken me to a few different places along the way!

I moved to London, where I spent several years working for companies including Discovery Channel and Sohonet. That’s also where I met my husband, Patrick. When he was transferred to California for work in 2016, we packed up and made the move across the pond.

We eventually settled in Simi Valley, which we now call home, along with our dog Luna, who is very much part of the family and probably a little more spoiled than she should be!

My professional background is actually in a completely different industry, and I certainly never imagined I’d end up running a homeless services organization.

After moving to Simi Valley, I wanted to get more involved in the local community and started volunteering at the Samaritan Center. What began as simply wanting to give something back turned into something much bigger. I eventually stepped in as Interim Program Manager, and one thing led to another. Fast forward a few years, and I’ve now been the Executive Director for about four and a half years.

Coming from the corporate world, I had a lot to learn about nonprofit management and homelessness, but I also think my background has been an advantage. I tend to look at things from a business and operational perspective, and I’m always looking for ways to improve how we do things, make better use of our resources, and find new opportunities.

Along the way, I’ve also become very involved in the Simi Valley community. I’m a member of Rotary, serve on the board of our local Rotary club, and am currently President of the Simi Valley Community Council. Both organizations have introduced me to some incredible people and given me an even greater appreciation for how much our community has to offer.

Looking back, it’s funny how things work out. I moved to California because of my husband’s career, started volunteering because I wanted to get involved, and somehow ended up finding a completely new career and a real passion for community service.

I never had a grand plan to end up where I am today, but I think that’s part of what makes life interesting. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you never saw coming!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not! I don’t think anyone running a nonprofit would tell you it’s all smooth sailing.

One of the biggest challenges is that the need for our services continues to grow, but our resources don’t necessarily grow with it. We’re constantly trying to do more with limited funding, staff, and space.

People often see the rewarding side of nonprofit work, but there’s an enormous amount happening behind the scenes. We’re essentially running a business, except instead of selling a product, we’re helping people through some of the most difficult situations of their lives.

There’s fundraising, grant writing, compliance, staffing, budgets, reporting, facilities, and about a hundred other things that need attention. And then, of course, there’s the actual work we’re here to do!

Another challenge is that homelessness is incredibly complicated. There’s no single solution, and not everyone is ready or able to accept help at the same time. You have to learn to celebrate the small victories and accept that progress doesn’t always happen as quickly as you’d like.

I’ve also had to learn a lot about leadership along the way. Managing people, making difficult decisions, and sometimes having to say no aren’t always the fun parts of the job. Especially in nonprofit work, it’s easy to want to help everyone, but you have to be realistic about what you can accomplish with the resources you have.

I think one of the hardest lessons has been accepting that you can’t fix everything, no matter how much you want to. What you can do is keep moving forward, build a strong team, and make sure you’re making a difference where you can.

And despite all the challenges, it’s incredibly rewarding. Seeing someone who came to us in a really difficult place find employment, get into housing, or simply start believing in themselves again makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Samaritan Center is a nonprofit organization in Simi Valley dedicated to helping individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. But we’re so much more than a place where people can get a meal or take a shower.

We provide everything from basic necessities like meals, clothing, showers, laundry, and hygiene products to case management, employment assistance, housing support, healthcare referrals, and financial assistance. Our goal is not just to help people get through another day, but to give them the tools and support they need to move forward and become self-sufficient.

What I think sets us apart is our very hands-on, individualized approach. Homelessness isn’t a one-size-fits-all problem, and neither are the solutions. Everyone who walks through our doors has a different story, different challenges, and different goals. We take the time to understand those circumstances and work with people on realistic steps toward improving their situation.

We’re also big believers in combining compassion with accountability. We want to help people, but we also want to empower them to take responsibility for their own progress. Sometimes that means helping someone find housing or employment, and sometimes it starts with something as simple as getting an ID, making a doctor’s appointment, or rebuilding their confidence.

I think there’s also a misconception about what a homeless services organization actually does. People sometimes picture a soup kitchen or a place where people come for a handout. While meeting basic needs is an important part of our work, there’s so much more happening behind the scenes. We’re helping people find jobs, reconnect with family, access medical care, navigate complicated systems, and hopefully find a path toward stable housing.

And success doesn’t always look the same. For one person, it might mean moving into an apartment. For another, it might mean getting their first job in years or finally addressing a health issue they’ve been struggling with. Those are all victories worth celebrating.

One thing I’m particularly proud of is how much we’ve grown and evolved as an organization. We’re constantly looking at what we can do better, how we can reach more people, and how we can make our programs more effective. I’m not a big believer in doing something just because that’s how it’s always been done!

Our latest project is the Samaritan Center Street Boutique, a mobile clothing boutique that allows us to take some of the wonderful clothing donations we receive out into the community and sell them at affordable prices. Our clients will always have priority and continue receiving clothing for free at the Center, but this gives us a way to make better use of excess donations while generating additional income to support our services. It’s something a little different for a homeless services organization, and I’m really excited about it.

We’re also working on something much bigger: exploring the possibility of bringing transitional housing to Simi Valley. One of the greatest challenges we face is that we can help someone get a job, access benefits, and overcome many of the barriers they’re facing, but if there’s nowhere affordable for them to live, it’s incredibly difficult to create lasting change. With the support of the City and our community partners, we’re currently moving forward with a feasibility study to explore what that could look like.

What I’m probably most proud of, though, is the role the Samaritan Center plays in our community. We’re fortunate to have an incredible network of volunteers, donors, local businesses, churches, and community organizations that support our work. We couldn’t do what we do without them, and I think that community involvement is a huge part of what makes us special.

If there’s one thing I’d love readers to know, it’s that the Samaritan Center isn’t just here to help people experiencing homelessness. We’re here to make our entire community stronger. Homelessness affects all of us, and finding meaningful solutions takes all of us working together.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished, but I think we’re only getting started!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I think my biggest advice would be to not be afraid of stepping outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to know everything when you start, and sometimes having a fresh perspective and being willing to ask questions can be just as valuable as years of experience in a particular field.

I’d also say don’t be afraid to challenge the way things have always been done. Just because something has worked a certain way for years doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best way to do it today. Be open to new ideas, listen to the people around you, and don’t be afraid to make changes when something isn’t working.

One thing I wish I’d understood better in the beginning is that you can’t do everything yourself, and you certainly can’t make everyone happy. You have to learn to prioritize, set boundaries, trust the people around you, and sometimes make decisions that aren’t popular. That’s all part of leadership.

Another piece of advice I’d give anyone, regardless of what industry they’re in, is to get involved in their community. Join a local organization, volunteer, attend events, and get to know the people around you. My involvement with Rotary and the Simi Valley Community Council has been incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally. I’ve built wonderful relationships and friendships, and learned so much about the community along the way.

I think people sometimes underestimate how much of a difference simply showing up and getting involved can make. You don’t need to have a lot of money, a special title, or all the answers to contribute. Sometimes giving a few hours of your time or connecting the right people can have a much bigger impact than you realize.

And you never know what opportunities might come from it. After all, I started out volunteering at the Samaritan Center, and look where that led me!

Finally, surround yourself with good people. Whether it’s your colleagues, volunteers, board members, or community partners, having people around you who share your enthusiasm and are willing to work together makes all the difference.

I’m still learning every day, and I’m sure I’ll make plenty more mistakes along the way. But I think that’s part of it. Be willing to try new things, don’t take yourself too seriously, and don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to come along.

Sometimes the opportunities you never planned for turn out to be the most rewarding ones!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samaritancentersimivalley.org/
• Instagram: @samcentersv.org
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/SamaritanCenter/