Good Shepherd is pleased to be a location for two Diakon Youth Services programs: PREP and Bridge.
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries was founded on January 1, 2000, by the affiliation and later merger of Lutheran Services Northeast and Tressler Lutheran Services, both of which date to the 1800s. Diakon is a private, nonprofit charitable organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is affiliated with Lutheran Services in America—one of the largest non-profit service networks in the country. Diakon serves within the Delaware-Maryland, Lower Susquehanna, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Upper Susquehanna synods of the ELCA.
The Bridge Program is designed to provide a community-based alternative to higher levels of placement for adjudicated and dependent male and female youths. Working collaboratively with juvenile probation departments, children and youth services, schools, youths, parents, families, and the community, the program focuses on providing support and assuring accountability.
PREP: Diakon Youth Services’ Parenting Relationships and Employability Program is designed to provide training, education and support focused on social skills and community connections for pre- and post- adjudicated delinquent and dependent males and females 15 to 19 years of age. Operated in the evening, the program works collaboratively with juvenile probation departments; children, youth and family services; schools, youths, parents, extended families, and the community. Diverse staff and programming emphasize physical, psychological and emotional safety for everyone and helps those who have been victims rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.