June 18, 2006
EAST NORTHPORT MINISTRY
How she found her 'heaven'
BY SYLVIA E. KING-COHEN
Newsday Staff Writer
June 18, 2006
It is often said that something good can come from something bad. Samantha Tetro is a testament of that adage.
In late December 1992, Tetro was watching TV news and anguishing over the story of kidnap victim Katie Beers. Just two days before her 10th birthday, Katie had been abducted in Bay Shore and would be held captive by a family acquaintance in an underground bunker for 17 days.
"I was overwhelmed with grief that there was such evil in the world," Tetro said. "I couldn't stop crying. I cried out to God, 'Why can't there be a little bit of heaven on Earth?'"
Her desperate question led her to inspiration. For two years, she jotted notes about what she'd like in a little heavenly oasis. And a friend finally convinced her that she could create such a place. In 1994, her storefront ministry, Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven, opened its doors in East Northport, and it has been Tetro's haven now for 12 years.
"I think of it as a retreat for people to get away for a few hours," said Tetro, 49, of the coffeehouse that offers music, seminars and a range of activities for families, singles and children.
"Everybody is a volunteer," said Tetro of the 60 workers who help out at Samantha's. "When someone comes in, I ask them what they want to do, what interests them."
For Tetro, providing opportunities and helping people develop or discover their strengths can be uplifting.
She mentions one 22-year-old man who volunteered by escorting the elderly to seats. He enjoyed interacting with the older clientele so much that he went to school and is now a home health aide working with senior citizens.
The coffeehouse also has been successful, Tetro says, in helping people connect through its singles program. It has had 35 marriages between people who met at what started as an impromptu gathering, she said. In fact, Tetro met Anthony, her husband of eight years, at Samantha's.
And there's a place for children, too. Samantha's provides a kiddie area so parents don't have to get a baby-sitter or worry about going out without their children.
The most popular nights at the coffeehouse are Friday and Saturday for the performances, which Tetro said draw people from as far as Japan, Israel, Australia, Ireland, South Africa and England.
"We're limited to 99 people," Tetro said, so reservations are recommended.
Performances include comedy, dance, music and poetry. Thursdays are open-mike nights. "We used to go until 3 a.m., until everyone had performed. Now we have a cutoff [at midnight], and you have to sign up" to perform, she said.
Other activities at Samantha's include Bible study, messianic fellowship and a Bibles and Bagels program every Sunday. There also is bereavement support and programs for women. Most of the events are free, but there is a cover charge for evening acts.
Besides the popularity of the coffeehouse, Tetro said the most extraordinary thing is seeing the way someone's life changes. "You see God use ordinary people in extraordinary ways. People blossom when they know they're loved."
For a schedule of events, visit www.lilbitofheaven.org or call 631-262-1212.
Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.
