St. Vincent de Paul is a network of volunteer members inspired by Gospel values to serve our neighbors in need. The purpose of the Society is to fulfill the two great commandments — love of God and love of neighbor. We grow in faith together, while providing material and spiritual help to people in our immediate community, responding to the opportunities God presents to us.
Is there a missing link in your faith life?
If you are seeking a way to grow closer to God through meaningful friendships and love of neighbor, fill out the form below to start your Vincentian journey!
Even a few hours of your time are valuable and needed. Click on the roles below and scroll right to see the many ways you can engage!
Caseworker – A volunteer role that serves as the point person for facilitating help to a neighbor. Through personal relationships and care for the dignity of the neighbor, the caseworker explores options to alleviate a temporary financial burden, or other issue that may impede stability.
Home Visitor – A volunteer who works with a Vincentian partner to meet neighbors in their home, offering help, hope, prayer and resources to lift up the person in need.
Intake Worker – A volunteer role that Is the first point of contact for a neighbor in need of a helping hand and friendly voice. Primarily tasked with collecting information by phone from those seeking assistance, the intake worker may assist with data input and vetting the best next step for care of the neighbor.
Food Pantry – A volunteer role that coordinates food gathering to ensure that adequate supplies are on hand and are stored in a safe and organized fashion.
Seasonal Program Volunteer (Christmas/Thanksgiving, etc.) – A volunteer role that helps with organizing seasonal programs to help provide either meals or gifts for neighbors in need typically during the holiday seasons.
Voice of the Poor Liaison – a volunteer role that serves to advocate for marginalized members of our society through meaningful social action and community education.
Treasury Support – A volunteer role that assists in collection, counting and recording of donations offered to help serve neighbors in need.
Second/Assistant Home Visitor – A volunteer role tasked as the alternate or additional caseworker who generally attends a home visit. Many times these volunteers are simply ride-alongs and help fulfill the “Vincentian – Always Two” purpose.
Outreach/Recruitment Volunteer – A volunteer role that organizes recruiting efforts to help raise awareness for SVdP and attract potential interest in joining the ministry.
Spiritual Advisor – A volunteer role that prepares and leads a prayer, spiritual reading, and reflection at each meeting. This role may also assist in the planning of retreats.
Communications / Parish Liaison – A volunteer role that ensures that communications and relations are effectively maintained with the Council, neighboring conferences, parish council, parishioners and Pastor to include timely and appropriate Bulletin announcements regarding SVdP activities and needs.
CMS / Data Administrator – A volunteer role that helps enter and track information in our software system to maintain accurate records and community impact.
Fundraiser – A volunteer role that assists in raising awareness for the organization and the impact that donations can have on assisting our neighbors in need in order to possibly increase the number of donors and the size of their donations.
Furniture Program Volunteer – A volunteer role that may assist in collecting and delivery of furniture as needed and appropriate for neighbors in need.
Hunger Program Coordinator – A volunteer job to lead the food pantry and food-related efforts to help alleviate hunger in the community. Includes research on food pantry options and accessibility to government assistance programs.
Housing Program Coordinator – A volunteer job to build local partnerships and coordinate efforts to help find resources for neighbors in need of stable and affordable housing.
Health Program Coordinator – A volunteer job to coordinate efforts with the St. Vincent de Paul free pharmacy and other local healthcare providers, on behalf of neighbors in need of assistance with healthcare and medication costs.
How We Help Our Neighbors in Need
St. Vincent de Paul provides help and hope to neighbors in need of financial assistance, food, clothing, housing resources and more. Building personal relationships with the people we serve, including in-home visits, sets us apart from many other social services and is oftentimes where real change takes place in people’s lives. Neighbors in need of assistance call our Help Line to be directed to the local chapter, or parish-based Conference.
About St. Vincent de Paul Georgia
Founded in 1903 by a group of concerned parishioners at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia is a trusted, faith-based non-profit organization serving neighbors in need throughout the state of Georgia. SVdP Georgia operates a main service center in Chamblee with a full-time staff providing a walk-in food pantry, case management, a free pharmacy and other more, along with programs and services provided by 73 parish-based chapters throughout the state.
Conferences
St. Vincent de Paul conferences are the heartbeat of the Society. Conferences are based out of dozens of parishes throughout the state, with each conference serving an assigned territory within their local community. Neighbors who call our help line are directed to the appropriate conference for intake. Conferences establish their own guidelines for assistance, allowing leeway to find creative solutions that fit the needs of their communities. From community gardens and Christmas toy drives to rent and utility assistance- Conferences are the life blood of St. Vincent de Paul services within our communities.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Our Humble Beginnings
In the midst of the political, social, religious, and economic turmoil of early 19th century France, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul originated. A young student, Antoine Frédéric Ozanam was appalled by the conditions he saw in Paris. On April 23, 1833, Ozanam’s 20th birthday, the young man invited five other students to a meeting, where they founded the first Conference of Charity to assist the poor. This Catholic lay organization was intended to help members increase in holiness by loving service to those in need.
After electing Emmanuel Bailly, a married layman, as their first president, they changed their name to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in honor of their patron saint. The six young founders solicited the assistance of the now-Blessed Rosalie Rendu, a Catholic nun who formed the young men in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, teaching the founders how to serve the poor with respect and compassion.
Nearly two centuries later, the work of St. Vincent de Paul spans 150 countries with 800,000 members – 96,000 of which are in the U.S. Ozanam’s vision- to build a network of charity and social justice to encircle the world- has been realized in spades and continues to inspire the work of Vincentian volunteers throughout the world.
Guided by the examples of their patron, St. Vincent de Paul, and the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul charitable organization, Frederic Ozanam, early members of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia sought to live their faith by caring for others, and became pioneers in the development of social programs to help those suffering from poverty. Today the worldwide Society of St. Vincent de Paul remains committed to a more equal society: through respect and love of neighbor, joy of mission, and personal contact with those in need.
Is there a missing link in your faith life?
If you are seeking a way to grow closer to God through meaningful friendships and love of neighbor, click below to learn what it means to Live Vincentian!
