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About Divine Providence Village

Mission

Divine Providence Village is committed to providing individuals with the opportunity to reach their fullest potential in spiritual, emotional, psycho-social and physical well being. We strive to support each person to live their lives with dignity and respect in a caring environment.

Vision

Embracing the mission of Divine Providence Village, we offer an array of services that reflect the needs of the people we support. Guided by God's spirit, dedicated religious and lay staff encourage independence and choice that afford each person the opportunity to contribute to the mainstream of society.

History

Divine Providence Village (DPV) is operated under the direction of the Developmental Programs division of Catholic Social Services and is owned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. DPV traces its roots to St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Chester County.

In 1948, the then-Archbishop of Philadelphia invited a religious congregation, the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, to Elverson to staff a residential school for girls and young women with developmental disabilities. In 1984, the Daughters moved the residents and services from Elverson to Springfield, Delaware County. DPV opened as state-licensed Intermediate Care Facility for persons with Mental Retardation. In November 2004, the Daughters informed the Archdiocese that they reluctantly had to withdraw from DPV because of a lack of vocations. Since July 1, 2005, DPV has been under lay administration, but continues the charism of the founding religious community.

Today DPV is home to ninety-four women with developmental disabilities and has two beds available for respite care services. Most are long-term residents, ranging in age from twenty-one to seventy years old. The women, although impaired, have varied levels of ability. Practically all of the women attend day programs on the grounds of nearby Don Guanella Village.

Recent trends in admissions have been to admit women who are more severely impaired, and who often have a variety of physical impediments, delayed motor development, and behavioral abnormalities. DPV complies with the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and does not discriminate in admission, hiring, or any other services or programs on the basis of race, color, religious beliefs or national or ethnic origin, disability, or age.