IMPACT
One of our folks expresses appreciation.
Spiritual Care
Spirituality involves existential concerns about the nature of reality and what is Ultimate, and how we make meaning and experience hope in relation to those understandings.
Hope propels the next step forward to a positive future.
Spiritual health does not necessarily include theism or any particular belief system. Yet, in many people’s experience, spirituality is an essential aspect of holistic human living.
We embrace the call by foundations and donors for nonprofit organizations to show more evidence-based, measureable impacts of their work. Since the 1990s, we have been tracking the number and nature of our ministry contacts
In the field of chaplaincy, there has been a growing interest in measuring the impact of spiritual care. Some examples of evidence-based research are reported in the Association of Professional Chaplain’s papers, On the Meaning and Practice of Spiritual Care and The Benefits of Spiritual Care Provided by Professional Chaplains, and the National Association of Catholic Chaplain’s paper Studies Show Spiritual Care Linked to Better Health Outcomes.
We also hold space for that which is beyond human understanding, that which is, by nature, immeasureable. Though a spiritual outcome cannot always be described, it can be proclaimed. Story is a time-honored medium.
We believe in the power of storytelling.
In addition to our numbers, we share below just a few of our thousands of impactful stories. We hope you will be as inspired as we are.
Our Numbers
56%
Morality / Ethics
39%
Loneliness
228
Talking about Suicide or Homicide
Our Annual Reports
34,852 Contacts
In 2022, we had 34,852 distinct, significant contacts with people. The charts and data on this page are from a sampling of encounters we recorded in more detail. A portion of these contacts were with the same person, but in a different encounter. We do not keep records of identifying information. We do track the nature of the person’s primary stated concerns.
CAREGIVING CONCERNS
73%
Relationship / Family
13%
Anger
2022
Annual Report
2019
Annual Report
1,961
Seeking Information or Referrals
2021
Annual Report
2018
Annual Report
23%
Medical Issues / HIV
20%
Anxiety
1,512
Raising Abuse or Domestic Violence
2020
Annual Report
2017
Annual Report
Our Stories
Meals
In 2022, we served 11,831 meals as part of our community programs. Participation in any given program is not required for folks to receive a meal. As an interfaith and multifaith organization, we do not proselytize or seek to convert. The focus of breaking bread together is on community building and fellowship.