Diakon

Have you ever wondered about the amazing individuals who help make Diakon’s mission a reality? Each Monday, we’ll introduce you to one of the dedicated team members working behind the scenes to drive our success!?? Amanda Henn, a Permanency Case Manager III with Diakon Adoption & Foster Care in Topton, has been making a difference in the lives of children and families for the past five years. With a decade of experience in Diakon’s Permanency department, Amanda has witnessed and contributed to incredible growth. “I am proud to have been part of the development of our department,” Amanda shares. “Over the years, we’ve doubled in size, which means we can serve even more children and families while continuing to uphold Diakon’s heartfelt mission.” Outside of work, Amanda and her husband enjoy restoring their historic 1750s home and exploring the great outdoors. Passionate about hunting and fishing, their adventures have taken them salmon fishing on Lake Ontario and soon to Canada for a spring bear hunt. They also enjoy shed hunting, a woodland scavenger hunt for deer antlers. Amanda’s dedication to Diakon’s mission is fueled by the families she’s had the privilege to support. “Each family leaves a lasting impression,” she reflects. “Their stories inspire me and remind me why this work is so important.” Her favorite part of working at Diakon? The strong bonds with her coworkers. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” Amanda says. “Having positive relationships makes even the hardest days a little brighter.” Thank you, Amanda, for your passion and commitment to helping children and families thrive! #MeetOurStaffMonday #Teamwork #Careers #NationalAdoptionMonth

This Thanksgiving, we are incredibly thankful for the generosity of Nativity Lutheran Church in Allentown for donating 40 Thanksgiving meal bags for our Diakon kinship care families. Their kindness ensures that many of the families we serve will have a delicious and joyful holiday meal. ?? Pictured left to right: Erin Oshansky, Assistant Director of Permanency Services; Amanda Henn, Permanency Case Manager III; Kim Ring from Nativity Lutheran Church; and Taylor Romberger, Permanency Case Manager II. Thank you to our amazing partners for supporting the families in our care and making a difference in their lives. Together, we’re building stronger communities one act of kindness at a time! #Thanksgiving #CommunitySupport #KinshipCare #Gratitude

Several Diakon staff members, including President & CEO Shari VanderGast, JD, LCSW (pictured with Joanne), were honored to attend the 2024 Spirit of Scouting Breakfast today at the Redner's Event Center at Reading Fightin Phils to celebrate Joanne Judge, Esq., CPA. from Stevens & Lee. With 40 years of expertise in healthcare and finance, Joanne has been a dedicated advocate for our local nonprofit community, including Diakon. Her commitment and contributions over the years have made a lasting impact. Congratulations, Joanne, on this well-deserved recognition! ?? #CommunityLeadership #SpiritOfScouting

Do you ever wonder who contributes to Diakon’s success behind the scenes? Each Monday, we’d like you to meet some incredible people who power our team! Meet Kimberly Lattisaw, Pasos Program Manager! The Diakon Pasos Program provides long-term foster care and resources for unaccompanied migrant children and youth, helping them adjust to life in the United States. As the Pasos Program Manager, Kimberly plays a central role in ensuring the success of this program, dedicating each day to supporting staff, streamlining processes, and overseeing essential program data to ensure compliance with audit and monitoring standards. A typical day involves responding to staff needs, brainstorming ways to improve program efficiency, conducting supervision with the team, and carefully reviewing program metrics to meet regulatory standards. One of the highlights of Kimberly's role is the opportunity to coach staff, empowering them to grow professionally. “I love helping team members develop professionally and holding them accountable to ensure we’re fully meeting the needs of the youth we serve,” Kimberly shares. A dedicated advocate for children, Kimberly is deeply motivated by a desire to create safe, positive environments for young people. “I am inspired by this quote from Nelson Mandela: ‘We owe our children—the most vulnerable citizens in any society—a life free of violence and fear.’ Even one caring and consistent adult can bring about positive change in a child’s life & make a tremendous impact.” In the year ahead, Kimberly is focused on strengthening connections with the youth they serve and refining the program's operations by evaluating current practices. Building relationships and optimizing processes are central to her vision for success. To families thinking about fostering an unaccompanied child, Kimberly offers encouragement: “You are so needed and can be such a valuable resource and ‘piece of the puzzle’ for this difficult period in a child’s life!” Through dedication and compassion, Kimberly exemplifies the impact that one person can have in the lives of many, helping to create a nurturing environment for both the team and the children they serve. To learn more about how you can support the children and youth in our Pasos program, please visit our website at diakonafc.org/pasos. #MeetOurTeamMonday #teamwork #careers #makeadifference

Can anyone guess who our Chief Happiness Officer, Copper, is pulling for today? ???? #WeAre #Diakon #therapydog #collegefootball

Thanks to Konhaus Print & Marketing for their generous and continued support of our families. Please consider being one of Santa's undercover helpers by December 2!

Yesterday, we proudly celebrated the achievements of the young individuals who recently graduated from our Diakon Youthful Offenders Program. This program is designed for young adults ages 18 through 25. Its focus is on pre-trial, first-time felony offenders who have been assessed by their home county as potentially able to benefit from a second chance and thus avoid the burden of a felony charge on their record. It provides a transformative opportunity for young people who’ve faced significant challenges in their lives, offering them the tools, support, and guidance needed to make positive changes and rebuild their futures. Through hard work, commitment, and perseverance, these young graduates have demonstrated remarkable growth. They’ve overcome obstacles, developed vital life skills, and found a renewed sense of purpose. Each graduation marks not just the completion of a program but the beginning of a brighter, more hopeful future. We couldn’t be prouder of these young men and their achievements. Their success is a testament to their resilience, the dedication of our tremendous staff (included in the group photo), and the strength of the communities that support them. Congratulations to the graduates of Diakon’s Youthful Offenders Program—we can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of you! #YouthEmpowerment #SecondChance #PositiveChange

Congratulations to the Delong Family! ?? Their journey is a testament to the power of love, hope, and the importance of family. Thank you, Delong family, for your dedication and love and for inspiring others to consider opening their hearts and homes.?? For more information about foster care and adoption, please visit our website: diakonafc.org #NationalAdoptionMonth #FamilyForever #AdoptionJourney

Veterans have shaped the freedoms we hold dear, embodying resilience, strength and dedication. At Diakon, we honor these courageous men and women who served their country with bravery and dedication, placing the needs of others above their own. To all veterans, thank you for your sacrifice and service. ???? #VeteransDay #honor #veterans

Yesterday, Diakon leadership, Board members, business partners, friends and family celebrated the journey of Diakon's President & CEO, Scott Habecker, as he prepares to begin a new chapter on November 11. The farewell was a heartfelt tribute to Scott, who has been an inspiring leader and a true advocate for Diakon and our mission. As colleagues at the celebration shared, during his time at Diakon, Scott demonstrated what it means to lead with vision, innovation, authenticity and dedication. His impact will resonate long after he's moved on. Thank you, Scott, for your commitment to excellence, wisdom, and countless contributions over the last 15 years. You’ll be missed, and we wish you all the best in what’s next!