BERLIN– Diakonia released its fiscal year 2014 numbers for the town on July 14.
The 501(c)(3) non-denominational organization reviewed its efforts for Berlin, and expects to have final overall FY ‘14 numbers by Aug. 1.
“We offer out services across the county, and the town of Berlin has been one of our supporters, so we present to them the result of the funds they provided us on an annual basis,” said Executive Director Claudia Nagle.
The organization offers services including emergency and transitional housing, food pantry, supportive services for veterans, and homelessness-prevention programs for Berlin residents.
The food pantry was the fastest-growing program, distributing 7,096 bags of food and serving 935 households and 2,989 people in FY’14. Those numbers were up from 853 households and 2,836 people the previous year.
The Emergency Solutions Grant Homeless Prevention and Rehousing Assistance program served 35 people in 13 households, spending $11,003. Eight of those households we deemed “prevention households” and five were “rehousing households.”
A Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant, which began in Oct. 2013, served 13 people in six households, spending $5,514.
Specific numbers for the housing program were not available.
Nagle said the overall landscape in Berlin area has improved, although that may only be a temporary situation.
“We still have a need, but right now is when people are employed,” she said. “Worcester County leads the state in unemployment and lowest wages throughout the year, according to the Department of Labor. This is generally the time when people can make some additional money, but affordable housing – based on their salaries and earnings – is always very, very sporadic. Usually it’s located far from their work, and we know transportation is often times an issue.”
During the recession, Nagle said Berlin stepped up to assist Diakonia when many other towns were reluctant to spend money.
“I think what it does is it makes other people see that this is a possibility and that we really need this,” she said.
Nagle said Diakonia is constantly looking for volunteers and donations.
Office supplies, namely paper, are at the top of the “most-wanted” list when it comes to donations.
Postage stamps, large garbage bags, paper plates and plastic flatware are also in demand, as well as nonperishable items.
“There’s a lot of ways that people can get involved, and monetary donations are always helpful as well,” Nagle said.
For more information call 410-213-0923or visit www.diakoniaoc.org.
The 501(c)(3) non-denominational organization reviewed its efforts for Berlin, and expects to have final overall FY ‘14 numbers by Aug. 1.
“We offer out services across the county, and the town of Berlin has been one of our supporters, so we present to them the result of the funds they provided us on an annual basis,” said Executive Director Claudia Nagle.
The organization offers services including emergency and transitional housing, food pantry, supportive services for veterans, and homelessness-prevention programs for Berlin residents.
The food pantry was the fastest-growing program, distributing 7,096 bags of food and serving 935 households and 2,989 people in FY’14. Those numbers were up from 853 households and 2,836 people the previous year.
The Emergency Solutions Grant Homeless Prevention and Rehousing Assistance program served 35 people in 13 households, spending $11,003. Eight of those households we deemed “prevention households” and five were “rehousing households.”
A Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant, which began in Oct. 2013, served 13 people in six households, spending $5,514.
Specific numbers for the housing program were not available.
Nagle said the overall landscape in Berlin area has improved, although that may only be a temporary situation.
“We still have a need, but right now is when people are employed,” she said. “Worcester County leads the state in unemployment and lowest wages throughout the year, according to the Department of Labor. This is generally the time when people can make some additional money, but affordable housing – based on their salaries and earnings – is always very, very sporadic. Usually it’s located far from their work, and we know transportation is often times an issue.”
During the recession, Nagle said Berlin stepped up to assist Diakonia when many other towns were reluctant to spend money.
“I think what it does is it makes other people see that this is a possibility and that we really need this,” she said.
Nagle said Diakonia is constantly looking for volunteers and donations.
Office supplies, namely paper, are at the top of the “most-wanted” list when it comes to donations.
Postage stamps, large garbage bags, paper plates and plastic flatware are also in demand, as well as nonperishable items.
“There’s a lot of ways that people can get involved, and monetary donations are always helpful as well,” Nagle said.
For more information call 410-213-0923or visit www.diakoniaoc.org.