WHO WE SERVE

We believe in the dignity of all people.

Who We Serve

· The St Vincent de Paul Conference at Our Lady of Victory Parish has been serving the Floral Park community for almost ninety years

· At present our conference has twenty six active and associate members

· Our conference “twins” with other Long Island conferences who have even greater needs, providing two forms of assistance: in person counselling and meeting with neighbors in these parishes and, as funds permit, via financial contributions directly to these conferences

…to serve the poor is to go to God.

St. Vincent de Paul

The SVdP Mission

· The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a global organization of Catholic laity with a vocation to help the poor, and is represented across Long Island by 63 member conferences (organized by parish) and two thrift stores

· The Vincentian spirit comprises prayer, community, and compassion; regardless of race, religion, age, or citizenship status, we help anyone in need with material as well as emotional and spiritual support

· We assist our neighbors with food, rent, utilities, other pressing needs, and access to other charitable or public resources

· The goal is to help our neighbors in need find the light at the end of the tunnel. Rather than merely providing assistance we meet with each neighbor to discern their needs, discuss opportunities to overcome long term needs and to help find a game plan toward self-subsistence

· Assistance is not limited to a single encounter

What we do and how we function

· Complete confidentiality, maintaining privacy and working quietly

· Vincentians meet twice a month to determine and act on needs in Floral Park

· While we belong to a global Catholic lay organization distinct from the Church, we always work in close collaboration with OLV Parish Outreach and Food Pantry

· The SVdP process features a home visit and continuing relationships

Recent activities:

50 Families assisted with followups
75 Families helped with food vouchers
Sustained collaboration with OLV Parish Outreach on continuous basis
SVdP Members ongoing work with Pantry Volunteers
Walk for the Poor: annual SVdP fundraiser in September
Spring and Fall clothing drives for SVDP stores on Long island
Thanksgiving meals delivered to approximately 50 families in partnership with KofC and Outreach.

Goals:

Sustaining our mission far into the future
Increase presence with the OLV parish community
Continued collaboration with Parish Outreach in identifying neighbors in need
Increase active support from the OLV parish community with continued growth in participation in the annual Walk for the Poor fundraiser

“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the suffering and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of god.”

St Vincent de Paul

SVdP History

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in Paris 1833. The Long Island Council in the diocese of Rockville Centre was founded in 1948 and is comprised of 63 Conferences (volunteer groups), 2 Thrift Stores, 13 Food Pantries, and a Transitional Housing Program. We serve over 200,000 people annually through a myriad of direct services that help people overcome hardship.

The Diocesan Council supports the charitable works of its Conferences in Nassau and Suffolk County, and also links Conferences with the National and International Councils to learn from each other and to allow Society members to respond to worldwide needs.

How the larger SVdP Society Works

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is structured in a way that regional Councils, support local Conferences in their efforts to serve the needy in their local communities. Each SVDP Council operates autonomously; however, all are bound by the rules of the National Council in St. Louis, where the first U.S. Council was formed in 1845. Additionally, each Council sets the rules and regulations for its Conferences based on the environment of their local region. Although each Council operates differently and offers different programs and services, the mission of our members remains central to growing spiritually through service to the poor.

The Central Council (in the Diocese of Rockville Centre)

The Central Council headquartered in Bethpage serves as the administrative arm of the Society on Long Island. Its prime role is to support and coordinate the work of individual conferences, accomplished via resources, advice and counsel and also, networking with professional expert who provided specific support and assistance and support. As a resource and support hub, the Central Council provides Conferences with financial assistance to help them serve the needs of individuals and families in Nassau and Suffolk County. The Central Council also offers technical assistance, formation training, and organizes workshops and liturgies that bring together Vincentians for educational purposes and spiritual enrichment. The Central Council funds and operates Transitional houses for formerly incarcerated, Thirft Stores, and conference Assistance (Financial aid distribution to District Councils to assist conferences in their efforts to help those in need.

Organization Chart of the Society of St Vincent de Paul Worldwide

International Council: Includes 150 Countries, 5 Continents, 45,600 Conferences, and 800,00 Vincentian Members
USA National Council: 150,000 Members in 8 regions
Long Island Dioceses of Rockville Center (Bethpage, NY)
District Councils Nassau North & South, Suffolk North & South
63 Local Catholic Parishes: Our Lady of Victory (Floral Park, NY)