Deacony Foundation Lahti

"Generating good life is working for
the Kingdom of God; it's deacony – helping the weak, using common sense and making deeds of love."  

Deacony Foundation Lahti has been operating in Lahti since July 1940. First established on 2 March 1869 in Vyborg as the Vyborg Deaconess Institution, funded by the Hackmann family, the institution rapidly grew into a locally and internationally significant centre for medical care, education and social welfare services. The Vyborg Deaconess Institution's hospital was especially renowned for the treatment of eye conditions. The first person ever inaugurated as deaconess in Finland, Mathilda Hoffman in 1872, was educated in the Vyborg Deaconess Institution.   

Now the institution has returned to its roots by maintaining the Dikoni home for street children in Vyborg.  Deacony Foundation Lahti of today is a versatile regional service institution.

Task of the Institution

The Institution is maintained by  Deacony Foundation Lahti. Its task is implemented through the education and social and healthcare service units.  Deacony Foundation practices both domestic and international deacony work. It maintains contacts with its graduates and supports them in their work.

Deacony Foundation Lahti – administration 

The administration of  Deacony Foundation Lahti consists of the Administrative Council, Board of Directors and the Head of the Foundation.

The Administrative Council works in three-year periods and comprises 13 members, one of which is appointed by the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Tampere.
 

Values

The activities are based on Christian faith and charity.

Generating good life is working for the Kingdom of God; it's deacony - helping the weak, using common sense and making deeds of love.

International activities

Deacony Foundation Lahti is a member of the World Federation of Sisterhoods and Diaconal Associations, a Kaiserswerth-based deacony organisation. It also practices active international co-operation in other forms.

Projects

Deacony Foundation Lahti implements projects aiming
at helping people in places beyond other help. Such ongoing projects include the Vyborg street children's project, the Dikoni home and the "Find the Diamonds" project. 
 
 

  Education

Lahti Diaconia Institute Lahti Diaconia Institute offers professional upper secondary education and vocational qualifications in three main fields of study. The first one gives vocational qualification in social and health care as practical nurses, who can work with people of different ages and in various life situations in homes, day care centres, hospitals or nursing homes. The second one gives vocational qualification in child care and education and family welfare as children’s instructors, who can work in day care centres, afternoon clubs or instruct in playground activities organized by local governments. On the other hand they can work in Finnish Lutheran parishes organizing children’s day clubs, afternoon clubs for school-age children, family clubs for children and parents together or other activities. The third on gives vocational qualification in youth and leisure work as youth and leisure instructors, who can work with young people or organize recreational activities for people of different ages and in various life situations.        The study programme is intended for students who have completed their basic education. Each qualification is made up of 120 credits, one credit being equivalent to a student’s average study effort of 40 hours. In practice a qualification takes three years to complete. The study language is Finnish. Lahti Diaconia Institute organizes short courses as further education for adult people for example in diaconal nursing, elderly care, pastoral care and educational work.    Address and contact  (Lahti Diaconia Institute )

Social welfare and healthcare services

Deacony Foundation Lahti is a significant third-sector service provider. Its services complement the service offering of the City of Lahti in a flexible, safe and versatile manner. 

The most extensive co-operation and service purchase entity implemented with the City of Lahti is the supported accommodation service for the elderly in the Mathilda home and Betel service home in the Erkonpuisto service centre. Furthermore, there are service and rental flats for the elderly in the Teemuntalo service centre and the Erkonpuisto retiree home.  In addition, the Teemuntalo service centre has a dementia unit.  Sotainvalidien Veljeskoti offers institutional care facilities and rehabilitation services for war veterans and people released from hospitals.

The Home Care Service helps elderly and disabled people 24 hours a day. 

The Foundation's Physiotherapy services have helped people of the region maintain their physical condition and ability to work for 25 years. The Athletica Gym offers popular group activities for people of various ages. 

The latest social welfare service unit is the Teemula day care centre connected to the Teemuntalo service centre.  

The Institution's co-operation partners further expand the scope of the services: the Dila medical centre, Eye Policlinic (Silmäpoliklinikka) and Eye Clinic (Silmäklinikka), as well as other additional services.

Nutrition services

Deacony Foundation's Nutrition Services offer versatile lunch, party and coffee catering services all year round. They also provide conference and party facilities for companies and private customers. The high-quality services rely on long traditions and skilled professionals.

Telephone +358 3 813 211
Fax + 358 3 813 2211
info@lahdendiakoniasaatio.fi