Religious Groups Make Substantial Contributions to Social-Service Provision, Study Finds

NEW BOOKS

The Other Philadelphia Story: How Local Congregations Support Quality of Life in Urban America
by Ram A. Cnaan, with Stephanie C. Boddie, Charlene C. McGrew, and Jennifer Kang

“At a time when the tax burden is increasing and the local revenues are declining, someone has to chip in and do more of the work needed to maintain quality of life,” writes Ram A. Cnaan, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice. “Religious congregations and other faith communities shoulder a considerable portion of the care for the needy people in America.”

In this study of social-service provision by religious congregations in Philadelphia, Mr. Cnaan and his colleagues estimate that the vast majority — 92.7 percent of the city’s 2,120 congregations — offer one or more services to both members and nonmembers alike.

For example, 41.2 percent of the congregations offer some kind of food program, 21.3 percent offer educational tutoring, and 19 percent offer programs for gang members. On average, the congregations that reported providing one or more social services offered 3.08 different programs.

The total value of the services provided by the congregations — minus any program income to the groups — amounts to what the author says is a conservative estimate of $256,348,958.40 annually.

The book looks in detail at black and Latino groups and the role of women in social-service provision by congregations. Other chapters discuss organizations that help religious groups provide services, social networks among congregation members, the role of the clergy, and policy recommendations based on the study.

The author stresses the importance of these groups, but warns policy makers against leaning too much on the good will of congregations. “Local religious congregations are currently providing an important array of services without public support,” concludes Mr. Cnaan. “They should be encouraged to keep doing so and not be expected to save the entire American welfare system.”

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, 3905 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104; http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress; 352 pages; $69.95; ISBN 0-8122-3949-0.