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2024 Black Bag Collection WEEKEND OF JULY 20-21, 2024 MEDIA KIT FOR PARISHES & CONFERENCES THANK YOU! We are truly grateful for your generosity during our 2024 Black Bag Collection. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! DONATE NOW History FlockNote Graphics DOWNLOAD PDF GUIDE Bulletins Social Media Contact Us What is the Black Bag Collection? The Black Bag Collection is an annual opportunity for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to reach more than 1.7 million Catholics in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and ask for their help to support the poor and vulnerable in our community. The collection is a symbol of ONE SOCIETY coming together to help those in need. We rely heavily on this major source of funds for the Society to continue to accommodate the needs of our brothers and sisters who are without basic life essentials—most of which we so often take for granted. In 1833, our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and the original members realized they needed money to fund their good works of charity. Because the giving capacity of the members varied, they decided to pass around a simple black bag so that each member could give what they could afford to give. Today, we continue this tradition. Parish Bulletin Announcements ENGLISH Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 20-21, 2024 . Donations will help the Society provide food and financial assistance to families struggling to make ends meet. With the increasing cost of living, your support can make a difference. SPANISH La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul los invita a participar en la Colecta Anual de la Bolsa Negra el 20-21 de Julio del 2024 . Sus donaciones ayudaran la misión de proveer necesidades básicas, como comida, ayuda financiera, a familias con escasos recursos. VIETNAMESE Xin hỗ trợ chương trình gây quỹ hằng năm của Hội Thánh Vinh Sơn Phaolô vào cuối tuần ngày 20-21, Tháng Bảy năm 2024 . Mọi đóng góp sẽ được dùng vào việc mua thực phẩm, quần áo, yểm trợ tài chính cho những gia đình gặp hoàn cảnh khó khăn. Với lạm phát đang gia tăng, sự đóng góp của quý vị có thể thay đổi cuộc sống của họ. Flocknote Messages Email #1 Send around July 11, 2024 (Subject Line) July 20-21, 2024: Annual Black Bag Collection ​ The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be holding their Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 20-21, 2024. Our parish needs your help to support one of the oldest Catholic organizations serving the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. There are more than 1.7 million Catholics in our Archdiocese. With your help, we can strengthen our network of charity programs that provide food, clothing, and financial assistance to the struggling working-poor in our area. Donate or learn more about the Black Bag collection at: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag . Email #2 Send around July 18, 2024 (Subject Line) July 20-21 2024: Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection is the organization’s single, largest fundraiser. The funds raised are used towards program support and general operations support to keep the programs running. Please consider making a gift this weekend July 20-21, 2024 , in support of the Society. Last year, your support helped over 98,000 people! Learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community impact at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag . . Social Media Posts The parish social media coordinator can use these posts to help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spread the word about the Black Bag Collection. Please make sure to tag the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in your social media posts! Find us on social media using the accounts below or look for us under Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. If you cannot find us, please use #SVDPHouston. Post #1 Publish the week of June 24, 2024 Mark your calendar! JULY 20-21, 2024. Join your fellow parishioners in donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. ​ Unlike many of our local Catholic organizations, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not receive DSF funding. Your generosity will help their programs serve people in our community with food, financial assistance, and other much needed basic needs. Visit their website for more information: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag #SVDPHouston Post #4 Publish the week of July 15, 2024 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection will be active between JULY 20-21, 2024. Please be generous in your giving during this weekend's special collection. Thank you for all your support in ensuring the success of the Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. #SVDPHouston Post #2 Publish the week of July 1 , 2024 Join your fellow parishioners this month in supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, one of Houston’s oldest Catholic organizations serving the needs of the poor through their unique Home Visit Ministry. ​ In 2023, the Society helped 6,800 households with rental assistance. The average assistance provided was $456 per household. Check out their 2023 Impact Report to learn more about their services: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston Post #3 Publish the week of Ju ly 8 , 2024 Please consider donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection next weekend, JULY 20-21, 2024, to continue fueling the services provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Last year, volunteers of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spent 144,000 hours serving our friends and neighbors living in the Greater Houston Area. Our communities are stronger because of these amazing volunteers. Their contributions are a critical component of the Society’s core mission of providing person-to-person service to all in need. Learn more at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston Downloadable Graphics to Share Please feel free to download any or all of these graphics to share via Flocknote, social media posts or in your parish bulletin. Questions? If you have any questions, please email development@svdphouston.org or call 832-538-0325. Thank you for your active participation and partnership in this critical campaign!

← back to homepage July 2024 July 2024 July 2024 Annual Black Bag Collection DONATE ABOUT Your Support in Action $12.9M direct aid given in 2023 98,000 individuals served in 2023 10 counties served across Galveston-Houston area About the Black Bag Collection In 1833, our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and the original members realized they needed money to fund their good works of charity. Because the giving capacity of the members varied, they decided to pass around a simple black bag so that each member could give what they could afford to give. Today, we continue this tradition. We ask for your generosity to continue serving our neighbors in need. How to Donate All parishes in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will hold a special collection on the weekend of July 20-21, 2024 . You can also donate online , by phone, or by mailing a check to our office. ​ ​ PHONE Please call 832-538-0325 if you would like to make a gift over the phone. MAIL You may mail a check to our office! Checks made payable to "Society of St. Vincent de Paul" can be sent to: 2403 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77021. Please include "Black Bag" in the check memo. ​ ONLINE You can donate online at: svdphouston.org/give ​ Donate Online How will the funds be used? Despite being closely tied to the Archdiocese, the Society does not receive funding from the Diocesan Service Funds (DSF) like some of our sister organizations. The funds collected during this single month play a crucial role in the Society’s ability to provide direct financial assistance to neighbors in need, educational resiliency programs, food pantry resources, disaster relief, and so much more. Learn more Community Impact Thanks to the generosity of donors like you and the dedication of our Vincentian volunteers, together in 2023, we: ​ Served 98,000 individuals with direct aid totaling $12.9 million Prevented homelessness for 6,800 families Kept essential utilities on for 4,500 households Provided 2.1 million meals to 27,000 families And much more! ​ To learn more about our collective impact, please view our 2023 Community Impact Report . 2023 Community Impact Report

Case Management Case intake "New" Case Intake "Returning Individual" Entering Assistance for Neighbor in Need Entering Casework Info Converting Pledge to Check Request Administrator Administrator Tasks Adding Vendors to Drop-Down Menu Adding Volunteer Hours & Mileage Treasurer Approving Pledges & Check Requests Closing Month & Reports Adding Credits & Debits ENTIRE CMS TRAINING PLAYLIST Food Pantry Pantry Closeout training Pantry Closeout for Existing Clients Other Tasks Conducting Searches Managing Vendor Lists

EVENT CO-CHAIRS Brenda and Nick Lanza Katherine and Brian Parsley Donate Today EVENT GALLERY Creating the Legacy Underserved Communities Initiative ​ DONATE TODAY Contact Us Phone Mail Daniella Marquez, development@svdphouston.org | Tel: 832-538-0325

← back to homepage SUPPORT OUR MISSION. We are a community actively living our faith by loving and providing hope to our neighbors in need. We envision a future where access to financial and social resources is not limited by where one lives. Donate JOIN US. MAKE AN IMPACT. Volunteers are not official members, known as Vincentians, but help provide assistance to those in need. ​ Vincentians are active or associate members of the Society who are called by God to grow in spirituality through friendships and service. Apply Here

Programas SVdP La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl se preocupa no sólo por aliviar la angustia sino también por identificar las condiciones que la causan. Iniciativa de comunidades desatendidas 01 01 01 This initiative includes a grant program that enables financially limited Conferences to offer financial assistance to neighbors in underserved areas during crisis and disaster. Vincentians commit to building healthy, vibrant Conferences to continuously serve the Greater Houston area when these communities face hardships. Underserved Communties Home Visits Alivio de desastres Programa Salir Adelante Getting Ahead Graduate Program Getting Ahead Alumni Program Sistémico Cambiar Iniciativa Después de recibir el pescado durante la crisis, la Sociedad se centra en enseñar a las personas a pescar para alimentar a sus familias durante toda la vida. La Iniciativa de Cambio Sistémico incluye tres programas de desarrollo de resiliencia diseñados para cambiar la respuesta conductual a la pobreza. Los participantes examinan los recursos necesarios para lograr los objetivos de sostenibilidad y luego diseñan la hoja de ruta para construir un futuro mejor y salir de la pobreza. 02 02 02 Alimento Red 03 03 03 Despensas vecinales en todo el área metropolitana de Houston. Food Pantries

Membership Engagement Getting Ahead Program

Systemic Change Initiative Promoting systemic change means offering holistic support that empowers those we serve to make their way out of poverty and into-self-sufficiency. GETTING AHEAD PROGRAM LEARN MORE GETTING AHEAD PROGRAM JULY COHORT 2024 IS NOW FULL. Sessions begin in January & July each year July cohort currently full. Program Goals Working in a group learning environment, participants, become "investigators", and learn how money is only one of eleven resources to achieve success. Resources participants learn to move from crisis to sustainability: Social Capital Support System: Friends, family, network. Relationship/Role model : Access to people who can help improve your outcomes. Motivation & Persistence: Energy, drive and planning Financial: How to use money to purchase assets and services. Emotional: Ability to control emotional responses, increase Integrity, build trust, and maintain safety. Physical: Health and mobility Knowledge of Hidden rules: Know unspoken cues and behaviors of different social environments. Spiritual: Belief in divine purpose. Language: Ability to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar for different social environments Mental: Cognitive capacity to master daily life challenges. Program Benefits Become an Investigator If you’ve spent part of your life—or most of your life—struggling to get by, the idea of actually getting ahead might seem out of reach. Even if your story has been filled with barriers, vanishing opportunities, and setbacks, this program can change your next chapter. Yes, you have to write your own story, but you don’t have to do it alone. APPLY TODAY UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIDDEN RULES DIVERSE SUPPORT NETWORK STRATEGIC PLANNING PARTICIPATION STIPEND Getting Ahead Program Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a 16-week series for motivated people ready to change their life by acquiring the tools and support necessary to "get ahead" in today’s world. ​ Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World takes participants on a step-by-step journey to discover resources and build the resiliency necessary to overcome life's obstacles. This program helps participants build the life they want. APPLY Sessions Include the Following Modules: 01 01 01 MY LIFE NOW Investigate poverty; what is it like for us and our community? 02 02 02 THEORY OF CHANGE Be free from solving the same problems over and over again. 03 03 03 RICH/POOR GAP Research on causes of poverty; understand poverty from different perspectives. 04 04 04 HIDDEN RULES OF ECONOMIC CLASS Learn, understand, and be able to use the Hidden "Rules" of the wealthy, middle class and impoverished. 05 05 05 IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE Investigate formal register and negotiation tools. 06 06 06 ELEVEN RESOURCES Investigate societal, community, relational, emotional, and financial resources. 07 07 07 SELF ASSESMENT OF RESOURCES Conduct self-assessments. 08 08 08 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT Deeper investigation of community resources. 09 09 09 BUILDING RESOURCES Create a treasure chest to achieve economic stability. 10 10 10 PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY PLANS Develop a detailed plan for your future. Only 12 participants per cohort. Participants are chosen based on the information in the application, along with their willingness to fully participate in all sessions. Sessions are held virtually. Equipment is provided. Getting Ahead GRADUATE Program The second phase elevates participants' commitment to improving their own lives. Mentors become their teammate to provide the encouragement in achieving self-sufficiency and sustainability. Cohort '24 Cohort '24 Assists Graduates with developing a pragmatic action plan to their vision of a better life. Guides Graduates in building financial, social, and emotional resources. Provides Graduate with incentives once successes and milestones are achieved. 6 MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM MUST FIRST COMPLETE THE 16-WEEK GETTING AHEAD PROGRAM Getting Ahead ALUMNI Program Continue your journey. Become an Ambassador. Join the ALUMNI program. Continues exploring key community resources to maintain self-sufficiency. Provides educational workshops and online resources to stay motivated on journey. ONGOING PROGRAM Hosts community job fairs , networking opportunities and recognition events throughout the year. Provides alumni participants the opportunity to become mentors, facilitators, and even Vincentians to continue strengthening the community. MUST FIRST COMPLETE THE 6 MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM Participant Experience Christy Christy loved the getting ahead program. She states it was instrumental for her personal and professional growth. Christy has learned systemic poverty and how to overcome it. Although she remains at her current job, she states she now has a better insight on how to look for better opportunities. Christy has gone through the 16 week getting ahead program, graduate program and is now helping facilitate alumni program. Mary Mary had lost her job and had no income for over 3 months. Due to her lack of knowledge about available resources, this was a difficult situation to overcome. After participating in the Getting Ahead program, she has started to work through her situations and begin a new path to financial stability. Mary continues to refer other individuals to the program and hopes to become a facilitator for the program to help others around her. Gloria Gloria shares that the getting ahead program is an open environment to discuss situations that have impacted you, and how the resources provided in the program helped resolve those issues. She says what she liked the most was that resources cam from both mentors and other participants in the program. Gloria would like to participate more with the community and expand the information she has received in the prgram. Submit your application for the New Cohort: Application Make an impact by becoming a Program Facilitator or Mentor today: gettingahead@svdphouston.org ​ Join in prayer for the program participants by clicking HERE Share Brochure and Poster with your church members.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Galveston - Houston We are a volunteer organization that serves Underserved Communities regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender, religious or political affiliations. About The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a 501c3 non-profit organization established with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 1871. It includes a network of more than 50 parish-based chapters, known as Conferences , with more than 1,700 volunteers, and a large food & clothing pantry network. ​ As ONE Society, all parish-based members of the Society, known as Vincentians , synergistically collaborate with community volunteers and mission-driven organizations to make an impact in the lives of others throughout the Greater Houston area. Mission Inspired by Gospel values, we grow spiritually through person to person service to all in need in our community. ​ Our actions promote the dignity of the person, alleviate suffering and distress, while addressing the conditions that cause them through systemic change. Vision We are a community actively living our faith by loving and providing hope to our neighbors. We envision a future where access to financial and social resources is not limited by where one lives. Essential Elements SPIRITUALITY FRIENDSHIP SERVICE Organizational Structure The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston - Houston is part of the South Central Region. Regional Structure International Council The International Council is Located in Paris, France and represents over 100 countries. National Council (U.S) National Council, located in St. Louis, Missouri, supports all Archdiocesan Council across the USA and reports to the International Council. (Arch) Diocesan Council Our Council office supports our Districts and Conferences to promote the Society's mission and reports to our National Office. District Council 7 District councils uniting and supporting our conferences. Our districts report to our Archdiocesan Council. Greater Houston Conferences We have 50+ Conferences reporting to District and Archdiocesan Council.

Going to those in need since 1871 SUPPORT OUR MISSION