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Welcome Vincentians! Find the information you need here. Get Involved Don't waste time, talents or treasures. Share your gifts with the world. Invest in your community now. Join us in spiritual growth to increase our mission's impact! Vincentians are active or associate members of the Society who God calls to grow in spirituality through friendships and service in the communities of Galveston Houston. Application An Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston requirement is that everyone complete the virtual Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Virtus training (Safe Haven or Safe Environment) and authorize a background check before performing service on parish property. This must be renewed every 5 years . SAFE HAVEN No time but some treasure? DONATE Conferences A Conference is a parish or community-based chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston. There are currently more than 50 active Conferences operating throughout the Galveston-Houston area. Each Conference has a leadership team: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Spiritual Advisor. More than 1.7k Vincentians are growing spiritually as friends to serve those in need. Vincentians A Vincentian is the name given to a commissioned member of the Society. Vincentians put their faith into action by responding to the needs of people regardless of race, creed, age, gender, or legal status. The vocation of a Vincentian is to follow Christ through service to those in need and bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment by visiting people in their homes and performing special works to alleviate the suffering of those in crisis.

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Donate your truck, motorcycle, or trailer to the Society. If it has a motor, it is a vehicle. Working or not working. FREE PICK-UP. Vehicle Donations Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why should you donate your unwanted car? The income generated from your vehicle donation is used to help those in need. 2. In what condition should my vehicle be in? No matter what condition your vehicle is in, the Society can use the value proceeds to help an individual or family get closer to self-sufficiency. 3. Where do I drop off my vehicle? You don’t. We pick it up for you – for FREE. 5. How will my vehicle donation help? The proceeds help our programs – Home Visit, Food Network, Voucher, and Disaster Relief. 6. Is my vehicle donation tax deductible? YES! Our National Vehicle Donation Program will send you a tax-deductible receipt. 7. What kind of vehicles do you accept? Cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, boats, and more. Ready to donate a vehicle? Start Process

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Home Visit From the Society’s beginning, the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been visiting the needy in their homes. Start Now Home Visit Spirituality, Friendship and Service are the essence of Home visits. By visiting homes, Vincentians are humanizing the response to the crisis by experiencing the person's living conditions and needs. From the Society’s beginning, the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been visiting those in need in their homes. This is the clearest symbol of our Vincentian charism, which dictates the highest respect for the dignity of the poor. It symbolizes our Vincentian commitment truly serve those in need. The essential elements of the Society are spirituality, friendship , and service. The Process 1. If you are requesting assistance, contact one of our Conferences to schedule a home visit. If you need help locating a Conference closest to your area, please call 211. 2. Vincentians will schedule and perform a Home Visit to listen, offer humble advice, and assess your situation to potentially render material or financial assistance. 3. Vincentians will make contact with your service provider to coordinate support and then follow up with you and your family. Find Conference Temporary financial assistance is provided to immediately alleviate the suffering of families in distress once information has been obtained and verified by the service provider. Assistance varies from housing, utilities, and other basic needs . Financial assistance is always provided directly to the service provider, not the person in crisis. Policies and protocols help eliminate fraud and abuse. Personal Encounters Vincentians humanize the experience of receiving aid during a crisis and disaster. Vincentians are not case workers. They undergo special training to interact in a compassionate manner with diverse populations and communities across Greater Houston. Families are provided the dignity they deserve when Vincentians allow the Holy Spirit to guide their interactions.

The Society is an international organization founded in 1833 in Paris, France. It was locally established in 1871 in Galveston, TX. History In 1833, a 20-year-old college student and his friends began serving the poor in Paris, France. This was the beginning of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Today, there are more than 777,000 members serving in 149 countries around the globe. The Society arrived in the United States in 1845, where the first conference was formed in St. Louis, Missouri. The first presence of the Society in the Galveston-Houston area was in 1871 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Galveston. Today, there are 58 Conferences in the Galveston-Houston Council with more than 1,900 members growing spiritually through friendship and service to those in need. Timeline (1871-2021) Our Patrons & Founders The Society's Patron Saint St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) was the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Confraternities of Charity, and Ladies of Charity. He was a man of deep faith, keen intellect, and enormous creativity, he has become known as the "The Apostle of Charity" and "Father of the Poor." His contributions to the training of priests and organizing parish missions and other services for the poor shaped our Church's role in the modern world. St. Vincent de Paul Feast day is September 27th. The Society's Sister St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) had St. Vincent de Paul as her spiritual director. Her inherent desire to know and accomplish God's will blossomed into a life of ministry to those who were sick and destitute. Her contagious spirituality and strong, organizational ability led her to co-found with Vincent the Daughters of Charity, a group of sisters who serve the poor and who inspire our Society. St. Louise de Marillac Feast day is May 9th. The Society's Founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853) founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a young Sorbonne student who met regularly with his fellow Catholic students to discuss the issues of their time. At one of their public meetings, a challenger admitted the Catholic Church, at one time, had been a great source of good, but asked, “What is your Church doing now?… Show us your works and we will believe you.” Unable to respond, Frédéric conceded. Shortly afterward, Frédéric and six friends created the Conference of Charity, with the purpose of serving the poor of Paris. Frédéric and his friends provided food, clothing, shelter, financial, and spiritual help. They also established tutoring programs and libraries. Blessed Frederic's Feast day is September 9th. The Society's Mentor Blessed Rosalie Rendu, DC (1786 - 1856) was a Daughter of Charity who served for 54 years in the Mouffetard area, the most impoverished district of Paris. Emmanuel Bailly, the President of the Society, sent the founding members of the Society to Sister Rosalie for guidance and direction. Sending them on home visits, she formed them in the spirit of St. Vincent, teaching them how to serve the poor with respect and compassion. Blessed Rosalie's Feast day is February 7th.

A portion of your purchase is donated to the Society when you shop with our community partners: AmazonSmile, iGive, Kroger, Randalls, and Charity Choice, Make A Difference Link your Kroger's shopper card with Society of St. Vincent de Paul Houston or by using number - IM 073. Purchase a gift card or an eCard with the amount you wish to donate. Select Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese Galveston Houston You receive a 100% tax deductible letter. Purchase Gift Card Link your Randall's shopper card with Society of St. Vincent de Paul Houston. Add iGive app to your desktop. Up to 3% of purchase can be donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston. Start Shopping

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Neighborhood food pantries throughout the Greater Houston area managed by Vincentians, members of the Society Food Network Vincentians aim to alleviate hunger across Greater Houston communities through special works programs like operating an SVdP Food Pantry in their community. Interested in Volunteering? You can help package and distribute food to those in need. LEARN HOW The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Food Network serves 10 different counties throughout the Greater Houston area. The network is made up of almost 20 community pantries. These neighborhood-based pantries provide families with access to nutritious food. Some of the most vulnerable populations are the elderly and children. Need Food? 211 HELP NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT DECLARACION DE NO DISCRIMINACION

Follow the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston on all social media! SVdP AGH Website Donate Special Event: Mission & Ministry (9/12) Disaster Relief News & Stories Volunteer In-kind Donations