Diakon Flight Program gains Partnership for Better Health foundation grant

Carlisle, Pa. (Monday May 22, 2017)

Diakon Youth Services’ Flight Program has received a two-year $45,000 grant from The Partnership for Better Health to provide community-based mentoring and supportive services to at-risk older youths.

The Flight Program offers guidance for young men and women who will soon age out of, or are already beyond the age of, traditional county-funded youth services, but need continuing support to remain successful in life. The program helps at-risk adolescents and young adults build a foundation of self-discipline and respect for family, teachers, work and self.

This is the second year the Flight Program has received support from the foundation, based at 274 Wilson St.

“We are grateful to the partnership for its continuing support of Flight,” says Jason Brode, an executive director of Diakon Youth Services. “The grant represents a positive investment in the lives of regional youths and helps to support services that evidence shows are effective in turning around young lives.”

The Partnership for Better Health is a community foundation that works collaboratively with key stakeholders throughout Perry County and parts of Cumberland, Adams and Franklin counties to influence the lives of area residents. The partnership provides funding for grants and initiatives that improve individual health and community health capacity through the use of evidence-based strategies and best practices. 

Diakon Youth Services aids nearly 1,000 at-risk youths each year from various regions of Pennsylvania. As evidence of the programs’ success, the Flight Program typically has 100% of its participants enrolled in college or trade school or working full-time. Participants also take part in extensive community service activities.


For further information, please contact:
William Swanger, M.A., APR
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
(717) 795-0308
E-mail: swangerb@diakon.org