Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries and Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries had more than $21 million in community benefit last year, while directly serving nearly 86,500 people. Both figures represent increases. Diakon’s community benefit for 2017 was $20 million, while the number of people served was slightly more than 77,600.
The nonprofit organizations, which locally operate Twining Village, 280 Middle Holland Road, Holland, Diakon Adoption & Foster Care and Diakon Family Preservation and Reunification services, has released its 2018 community benefit report detailing an overall impact of $21.14 million.
Regional impact from the local programs, which last year served more than 3,000 people in Bucks, Delaware and surrounding counties, amounted to approxmiately $1 million.
“Community benefit refers to the good we do beyond the good we set out to do,” said Mark Pile, Diakon president. “Community benefit involves how we make a difference beyond direct service to people and encompasses a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization’s responsibility for improving the overall fabric of society.”
Community benefit includes charitable care provided within Diakon’s senior living communities and its range of child and family services, but also free public education sessions, the provision of free meeting space for community groups, and veterans’ assistance-related education. Quantification of community benefit was done in accordance with national guidelines.
