While working as a content and video producer at a major news network in 2016...I realized that I was getting burned out. Not because of the industry itself... but because I noticed a focus on sharing news that involved casualties, unfortunate circumstances, and scandals. And I understood the reasons behind that- it resulted in more clicks!
However, during that same time, I decided to take a step back to figure out what I wanted to do with my career. I worked in pharmacies as a Pharmacy Technician (I had a license since high school since journalists aren't paid that much- shocker) and later got my UX/UI certification.
While working on some UX projects, I finally realized what I was missing... While working as a journalist, I LOVED covering stories about people and organizations who CHOSE to give back to their community. In fact, to this day, I will always cherish my days as a reporter in Dedham, MA, because of how involved that whole community was. If you lived there...you cared!
I want to write those stories again! I want to feature those kinds of stories on this site because they can become a reminder that we are human. That we do love. That we do care. That we can give back. I understand that is not every person...but at least it can show that loving humans exist and are not just a myth. New York is my hometown and is my heart. So I want to showcase those New Yorkers making a difference across the state (and not just in NYC).
So welcome to Emperial Samaritan! I hope you can read these stories about these amazing New Yorkers, and maybe you may want to give back in some way.
Chat with you all soon,
Tamara
Executive Editor & Founder
If you have a story idea for Emperial Samaritan, or just want to say hello, I can be contacted at Tamara.Starr@EmperialSamaritan.com
Emperial Samaritan Staff
Simone Doroski
Editor
Simone Doroski is the Editor of Emperial Samaritan, advocate, and real estate agent. She has over 20 years of experience in advocacy work, writing, and organizing events for various functions. She resides in Long Island, NY, with her husband and two children.
If you have a story idea for Simone, contact her at Simone@EmperialSamaritan.com
Rebecca Dillard
Reporter
Rebecca Dillard is a Reporter for Emperial Samaritan and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and a CrossFit and nutrition coach. She has had years of experience at non-profit organizations and has lived all over the globe.
Born in Germany, and moved to Scotland when she was 12 years old. So she has had a rich cultural experience throughout her life.
When Rebecca isn't in the gym, she enjoys spending her free time at Breweries, cooking, seeking NYC adventures, and now calls Brooklyn, NY, her home.
To contact Rebecca, email her at Rebecca@EmperialSamaritan.com
To send news stories or tips, send an email to news@emperialsamaritan.com so that we can start sharing!
Our Commitment to Fact-Checking and Ethics
Emperial Samaritan is a 501 (c)(3) organization that follows the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter. The organization is committed to promoting excellence in fact-checking. We also believe that nonpartisan and transparent fact-checking can be a powerful instrument of accountability journalism; conversely, unsourced or biased fact-checking can increase distrust in the media and experts while polluting public understanding.
The code of principles is for organizations that regularly publish nonpartisan reports on the accuracy of statements by public figures, major institutions, and other widely circulated claims of interest to society. It is the result of consultations among fact-checkers from around the world and offers conscientious practitioners principles to aspire to in their everyday work.
A COMMITMENT TO NONPARTISANSHIP AND FAIRNESS
We fact-check claims using the same standard for every fact check. We do not concentrate our fact-checking on any one side. We follow the same process for every fact check and let the evidence dictate our conclusions. We do not advocate or take policy positions on the issues we fact-check.
A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY OF SOURCES
We want our readers to be able to verify our findings themselves. We provide all sources in enough detail that readers can replicate our work, except in cases where a source’s personal security could be compromised. In such cases, we provide as much detail as possible.
A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY OF FUNDING & ORGANIZATION
We are transparent about our funding sources. If we accept funding from other organizations, we ensure that funders have no influence over the conclusions we reach in our reports. We detail the professional background of all key figures in our organization and explain our organizational structure and legal status. We clearly indicate a way for readers to communicate with us.
A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY OF METHODOLOGY
We explain the methodology we use to select, research, write, edit, publish and correct our fact checks. We encourage readers to send us claims to fact-check and are transparent on why and how we fact-check.
A COMMITMENT TO OPEN AND HONEST CORRECTIONS
We publish our corrections policy and follow it scrupulously. We correct clearly and transparently in line with our corrections policy, seeking so far as possible to ensure that readers see the corrected version.
We agree with the corrections policy from Poynter: We create and edit our journalism in ways aimed at anticipating problem areas, reducing mistakes, and correcting them as quickly and transparently as we can. We maintain an online corrections page that makes it easy for the audience to report errors. We provide timely response, clear corrections, and prominent acknowledgment that a mistake was made and addressed. We credit the authors and creators of the various forms of journalism we publish. We apply appropriate scrutiny to work by staff and contributing writers to prevent plagiarism, intentional or otherwise. We do not intentionally mislead with words or images. We do not deliberately deceive as we gather information. If you see a mistake, please let us know.