Mission

Rooted in South Philadelphia and embracing the philosophy of the settlement house movement, Diversified Community Services enables children, youth and families to realize their fullest potential and achieve self-sufficiency in safe neighborhoods.

Vision

DCS is recognized as the "go-to" organization in South Philadelphia because it can marshal leadership, knowledge, skilled staff, effective services and a network of relationships to improve the overall quality of life in the community. As an anchor institution, DCS is a force for social change.

Values

Our aim is to bring people together regardless of religion, race or ethnicity in a spirit of friendship, to pursue common goals and interests as well as to make our neighborhood a better place to live for everyone.

We believe in and act for economic and social justice so that people have the opportunities to advance economically, socially, educationally and personally. Further, we believe that communities are made strong through social bonds and social networks of people who care about one another and their community.

DCS employs a community building or community development philosophy to underpin and guide its work, including its management strategies, decision-making processes, and its interaction with the community. Community building promotes a community's physical, economic and social development – improved housing and safety, increased financial resources for individuals and the community as a whole, as well as strengthening skills and educational attainment of individual residents.

Effectively, community development is the unifying principle that gives the work of DCS coherence and focus. The philosophy links programs, services and activities with social reform and advocacy so that individuals, families and ultimately the community itself have the right, responsibility and capability, particularly when working together, to influence the circumstances of their daily lives.