SVdP San Mateo

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WHO WE ARE - OUR MINISTRY

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s website. I invite you to browse through our site to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of what SVdP does in our community.
When personal and public resources are exhausted, we represent a lifeline for people struggling to survive. In the spirit of Christ, who leads our ministry, we help our neighbors based on need – without judgment.

Despite the prosperity of our community, poverty and pain are all around us. We at SVdP look to our friends and neighbors in San Mateo County to help us keep people in their homes, offer individuals a chance to recover their lives, and give voice to those who cannot advocate effectively for themselves. In 2007, we helped 40,170 people in San Mateo County, 43% of whom were children.

Central to the ministry of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is our commitment to preventing homelessness. Working through 31 parish based conferences throughout San Mateo County, last year volunteers made 9,910 home visits to help our neighbors in need. We provided $2.8 million in direct assistance offering food, help with rent, utilities and medical aid. More on 'How We Use Our Resources'

The society of St. Vincent de Paul also assists the homeless at Help Centers in South San Francisco, San Mateo and Redwood City. We offer a nourishing meal, connections to temporary shelter, and tools to break the cycle of homelessness.

The most visible SVdP presence in our community are the stores we operate in Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo and Redwood City.

Through the generosity of the people of San Mateo County, our stores distribute goods to help families meet their basic needs and offer rehabilitative employment to people struggling to make a fresh start.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul also sponsors a “Restorative Justice” ministry to visit those in jail and offer support for victims and their families. Our residential program for women recently released from incarceration, SVdP’s Catherine’s Center, offers a safe, nurturing home where residents learn to make healthier life choices. We seek to transform damage, pain and despair into healing, acceptance and hope.

We believe in the dignity of every person. We speak for the families and individuals in our community who are not in a position to speak for themselves: the working poor, the homeless, the incarcerated, and all people living on the fringe of our community. Join us in being the “Voice of the Poor” to advocate for solutions to help people in need – for the benefit of all.

Join us in our mission of service.

Joe Marchetti
President
Board of Directors