The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was formed when a group of young college students committed themselves to follow Christ’s example, declaring “Let us go to the poor!”
The home visit remains the central work of members and conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. On home visits, Vincentians do not merely “stand with” the poor; we sit with them, we listen to them, we pray with them, and we seek to help them in the best way possible.
This commonly includes things like referral assistance or help with utility bills or food. No work of charity is foreign to the Society. It includes any form of help that alleviates suffering or deprivation and promotes human dignity and personal integrity in all their dimensions.
Vincentians are not social workers. We serve as neighbors, seeking to understand the troubles of those we serve as we would a brother or sister, and to form relationships based on trust and friendship, and to walk with our neighbors in their time of trouble. You can read more about us by clicking here.
HOW CAN I GET HELP?
Any request for assistance begins with a call to our Help Line at (239) 772-3543. If no one is in the office, leave us a message with your name, address, and phone number where we may contact you. For more details regarding our assistance process, click here. You can also see a list of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) by clicking here.
HOW CAN I HELP THE SOCIETY?
First and foremost, please pray for our members and especially for those we serve. To paraphrase St. Padre Pio, prayer is the best weapon we possess to combat poverty and loneliness.
Secondly, consider becoming a member of the society by calling our Help Line and leaving your contact information. Our members find the work mentally and spiritually gratifying. You can find more information on membership here.
Finally, consider making a donation to the Society through the Poor Boxes found throughout the St. Andrew Church, or by making an online donation. All funds brought in by our St. Andrew Conference go directly to our neighbors regardless of faith, race, sex, or nationality; we serve all as God intended. You can make donations by clicking here.