| Short History | |
| National Benevolent Association DBA Disciples Benevolent Services is a 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Maryland Heights, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, MO. DBS is a general unit of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In the 1880s, when six very determined and compassionate women in a St. Louis-based prayer group gave birth to a local program designed to help the area’s widows and orphans, they certainly never imagined that generations later that ministry would still be serving people in need -- not only in the local community, but across the country. From that initial ministry, the organization slowly and steadily grew as it added homes for older adults, orphanages and facilities for adults with developmental disabilities and even a few hospitals. At its zenith, the organization owned, operated and/or was affiliated with facilities from Florida to Alaska and from Pennsylvania to California. As trends and needs changed, the organization changed to stay in step. Units that had outlived their usefulness closed or were refitted to meet different needs; orphanages became homes providing refuge for at-risk children and youth; “old people’s homes” became communities where older adults enjoy independent and active lifestyles; and adults with development disabilities have made the transition to sharing individual houses or apartments in their local communities. Moving into the 21st century brought new challenges to our country and to our organization. Economic instability impacted our bottom line and in order to sustain our mission and ministry, we have taken the organization in a new direction. We have changed our name to Disciples Benevolent Services, emphasizing the partnerships we have and are developing with other faith-based organization. We are smaller and our focus of service has narrowed, but our vision of new ministries is boundless. “In the loving and caring spirit of Christ, Disciples Benevolent Services will partner with regions, congregations, and others to develop ministries of care in response to the needs of their communities.” To learn more about our history, read here (part1) and here (part2) Inasmuch…the Saga of NBA |
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