News

One Society, One Mission: Walking with Our Lord of Mercy in Ecuador

One Society, One Mission: Walking with Our Lord of Mercy in Ecuador 1499 1488 SVDP USA
By Valeria Vlasich, International Twinning Coordinator

The needs of neighbors in California often involve rent, utilities and food assistance. But nothing prepared two Vincentians for what they found when they traveled to Ecuador in July. More than 30 percent of Ecuador’s population, after all, lives in extreme poverty.

Mike Hanika and Laurie O’Keefe of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Conference in Westlake Village, California, visited Rumiloma, a resource-limited community on the outskirts of Quito, Ecuador, to visit their new twinning partner: the Señor de la Misericordia Conference.

This journey was part of the SVdP International Twinning Program, which connects U.S. Conferences with Vincentians in countries where poverty is more severe and resources are scarce. What began as a financial partnership quickly became something much deeper: a shared mission of faith, compassion, and fraternity.

In Rumiloma, Vincentians and priests work together weekly to bring food, medicine, and spiritual care to over 8,000 people across eight parishes. Government clinics are often without supplies, so many families rely entirely on their faith communities for basic care.

The Westlake Village Conference began the Twinning Program relationship by providing ongoing financial support. These funds help provide essentials like food, clothing, and medicine. But during their visit, Mike and Laurie discovered that the most powerful gift was not financial, it was human presence and fraternal encounter.

“The visit of Mike and Laurie was unforgettable,” said Ximena Suntaxi, president of Señor de la Misericordia. “We received them with much love at our parish. They are wonderful and joyful people. Although Mike did not speak Spanish, Laurie helped us communicate perfectly. Their visit lifted our spirits.”

During their stay, Mike and Laurie visited two chapels in the higher areas of the community: San Antonio de Miranda and San Pedro de Balvina. Despite limited material conditions, they found communities filled with joy, faith, and hospitality. They were welcomed with music, gifts, hugs, and prayers and had the opportunity to share experiences with local Vincentians and learn more about their work firsthand.

The National Council of Ecuador also expressed deep gratitude for the Twinning Program:
“From our experience, we can say with profound gratitude that the Twinning Program has been a blessing. It has strengthened our charitable activities and reminded us we are not alone in this mission. This bond is not just economic or logistical, but a true gesture of fraternal love that brings the spirit of St. Vincent alive in our works.”

This visit demonstrated that the universal call to serve with love and dignity transcends languages, borders, and cultures. The Twinning Program is more than financial aid, it is a bridge of solidarity and hope connecting Vincentians across countries in a common mission to serve the poor.

Hope in the Midst of Conflict: Serving Families in Lebanon

Hope in the Midst of Conflict: Serving Families in Lebanon 740 940 SVDP USA
By Michael J. Nizankiewicz, Chair, U.S. Twinning Commission

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon is often overlooked by other wars in the region, but not by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Thanks to a $100,000 International Twinning grant by the SVdP National Council of the United States last year, approximately 1,200 families in urgent need were helped with humanitarian aid.

With these funds, the Council of Lebanon delivered immediate  assistance to families, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Support included:

  • Food Parcels: Supplying essential nutrition for two months.
  • Hygiene Kits: Providing sanitary supplies to protect health and prevent disease.
  • Mattresses: Ensuring safe and comfortable sleeping arrangements.
  • Logistics and Volunteer Mobilization: Engaging local Vincentians to distribute aid safely and efficiently to the most vulnerable communities.

The payments were made in four installments, and the Council of Lebanon has consistently provided detailed reports confirming receipt of the funds and outlining how they were used to serve their communities.

Despite challenges such as overwhelming demand, supply chain delays, and security concerns, the Council of Lebanon worked diligently to stretch every dollar and maximize impact.

We are deeply grateful for their commitment, transparency, and tireless service to those most vulnerable. Below are some of the photos they shared, offering a glimpse into the lives touched by your generosity.

This project is a testament to the power of international solidarity and the living spirit of Twinning. Thanks to your generosity, families in Lebanon have received life-sustaining aid and renewed hope in the midst of conflict.

 

How SVdP helps the vulnerable beat the summer heat

How SVdP helps the vulnerable beat the summer heat 900 507 SVDP USA

How SVdP helps the vulnerable beat the summer heat

Accompanying the poor doesn’t slow down in the summer – in fact, like the temperatures, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s efforts to help those in need heats up.

Across the country, Vincentians utilize innovative ways to be present to those who suffer most from the brutal summer heat. These can range from direct one-on-one care to highly innovative community-supported programs.

These efforts are part of the Vincentian mission to meet the manifestations of poverty and homelessness with innovation, persistence and love and to see the face of Christ in each person they serve. The need has reached new heights, as 2024 saw the highest number of people experiencing homelessness person in any given night – 771,480, or 23 of every 10,000 people.

“In extreme heat, access to cold water, air conditioning, or cooling centers isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline,” said Stephen Uram, National Director of Poverty Programs for SVdP USA. “For our neighbors experiencing homelessness or hardship, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is often their only source of relief. As temperatures rise, so does the urgency to respond with compassion and care.”

Three Councils from one of the country’s largest Catholic lay organizations, serving an average of 5 million people a year, showcase examples of both the inventiveness and consistent presence of Vincentians wherever the need exists.

Phoenix

Being the face of Christ and seeing the face of Christ amidst 120-degree temperatures has been a life’s calling for more than a decade for Joseph Yanez. He leads the effort for SVdP Phoenix’s Celebrity Fight Night water truck.

“The idea was to hydrate individuals out in the community, in encampments, in abandoned houses, alleys, in the river beds,” said Yanez.

It has become far more, an across-the-board donation program for people in one of America’s hottest metropolitan areas.

“We do hygiene kits. It consists of everything you could possibly need right now in the element of heat, chapstick, sunscreen, caps, socks, toothbrushes, soap,” said Yanez. “Then comes the clothing, gently used, shoes, shirts, pants.”

Yanez says people consistently step up to empower his council in meeting those critical needs, so much so that his teams have 25 delivery and drop-off routes throughout the Valley of the Sun.

“I’ve got schools, preschools, that call me up and say, ‘Can you pick up this leftover food?’” the selfless Yanez says.

Northern Kentucky

For more than 25 years, SVdP Northern Kentucky has responded to extreme temperatures with a kind of summer heat donation program that most charities don’t necessarily offer: Free air conditioners.

“When the heat and humidity hits, it can be a struggle, especially if you have a chronic medical condition that you’re trying to manage,” said Karen Zenge, the executive director of the Council located just south of Cincinnati.

“It’s called the social determinants of health. Providing air conditioning, providing relief from the heat and humidity, allows you to breathe better. If you can breathe better, you can be healthier.”

They partner with Saint Elizabeth Healthcare, a local medical provider, to offer hundreds of free air conditioners and fans per year to those in critical need.

They usually go pretty quickly.

“We ran out two weeks ago, during the hottest week of the summer where people really needed it,” she said, adding that Arlinghaus Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning found out about their dramatic need.

“They saw that post, reached out and said ‘We have $5,000 that we can contribute. How many fans and ACs can that get you?’ We were able to get another 150 units.”

“I belong to many families, including Saint Vincent de Paul. I’m the type of guy that if you need help…at the drop of the dime, I’ll be there. We practice what we preach.”

Belleville, Illinois

“We are a ministry that’s open 365 days a year,” says Belleville District Council Executive Director Pat Hogrebe. “We never close.”

SVdP Belleville serves several areas including the often-underserved citizens of East St. Louis. Vincentians there enter into what she calls a “constant battle” to keep people safe during the summer, beyond meals and water.

“You might think about people that are in their homes, but they are at risk because their utility bills are so high. Today I had a young lady have [power] disconnected. If we didn’t do something, she’d have been turned off, someone with little kids that’s in a house without power. We prevented the utility from getting turned off,” she said.

“It’s all a labor of love.”

—————

To learn about more ways Vincentians serve the most vulnerable year round, along with how you can join the mission, visit www.svdpusa.org.

CPMC Podcast: Ordinary Catholics can step into advocacy for justice

CPMC Podcast: Ordinary Catholics can step into advocacy for justice 2048 2048 SVDP USA

Ingrid Delgado, National Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, explains how ordinary Catholics can step into advocacy for justice and the dignity of all people

Join Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition for a timely podcast conversation with Ingrid Delgado, National Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA, who explains how ordinary Catholics can step into advocacy for justice and the dignity of all people. This is especially important during this August congressional recess when our elected officials are back home in their districts, listening to constituents.

Listen on Spotify here or Listen on Kajabi here. 

ETWN: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Aids Texas Flood Victims

ETWN: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Aids Texas Flood Victims 729 382 SVDP USA

ETWN: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Aids Texas Flood Victims

July 9, 2025 

EWTN News Nightly speaks to SVDP Conference President Mike Henke of Kerrville, Texas – where the tragic flooding has occurred – offering a first hand glimpse of what’s happening on the ground.

Meanwhile, fellow Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA Conferences have started sending supplies and donations.  “Neighbors, friends, strangers, have been amazingly generous and I think they really feel a need to try to help at this point in time.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHxq8yulGBI

National President John Berry on CFN Live

National President John Berry on CFN Live 954 539 SVDP USA

John Berry on CFN Live

June 27, 2025 

Our National President John Berry was a guest on Catholic Faith Network to talk about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and our nationwide campaign on homelessness prevention. 

 

Regional Meetings in Nine States

Regional Meetings in Nine States 2560 1706 SVDP USA

Regional Meetings in Nine States

Vincentians from across the United States gathered together this spring and summer at nine different regional meetings to embrace their shared friendship, spirituality, and service to the neighbor. More than 1,000 Vincentians were in attendance, representing all nine regions and hundreds of SVdP Conferences and Councils.  See below for highlights of each region’s gathering.

Southeast Region

Mid-West Region

Some comments from Vincentians at the Midwest Regional Meeting:

“This is my first regional meeting and I didn’t realize all the different works of charity that other Conferences do. I am bringing back some ideas to my own Conference.”
“I always enjoy coming to the Regional meeting. It reminds of why I became a Vincentian in the first place!”
“The spiritual aspect of the meeting serves as a mini-retreat for me and helps me grow as a Vincentian.”

Mountain Region

North Central Region

Mid-Atlantic Region

“For the second year in a row, we had nearly 100 Vincentians attend from the Councils in the region. They noted the strength and relevance of the agenda topics and speakers. From surveys collected, I felt as if our Vincentians are anxious to hear more in-depth information about our Society, its future and best practices among Conferences and Councils, and love their time together in fellowship.” – Paul “Korky” Korkemaz, National Vice-President, Mid-Atlantic Region

Northeast Region

Mid-East Region

South Central Region

“I wanted to share the pictures of the beautiful Vincentians we met on the 645 mile trip that Barbara and I took at the beginning of May. We had a wonderful time meeting the Louisiana councils and conferences and got to understand the amazing works being done. We are truly blessed to have the Society of St. Vincent de Paul represented so well in Louisiana. I want to thank the leadership and the members for all they did to make this trip so much fun as well as the hospitality they showed us. Thank you!” -Michael Pazzaglini, National Vice President – South Central Region

West Region

Some comments from Vincentians in the West Region:

“I mostly liked getting to meet and learn from other Vincentians.”
“I liked the Poverty Simulation, which gave me more insight into the lives of our neighbors in need, especially the time it took to access needed resources.”
“It’s always good to spend time with other like-minded Vincentians. The spiritual talks and mass lifted my spirits, rejuvenating me to go forward in the name of Christ.”
“The poverty simulation softened our hearts and created a better understanding and compassion to the needs of our friends and the continued need from St. Vincent de Paul’s brothers and sisters.”

Regional Map Reference:

St. Vincent de Paul’s House in a Box Unpacks Healing

St. Vincent de Paul’s House in a Box Unpacks Healing 2560 1920 SVDP USA

St. Vincent de Paul’s House in a Box™ Unpacks Healing

Walking amid the ashes and ruins of the wildfires in January, Ana Gonzalez could feel the anguish of families who were now homeless. Gonzalez, with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, was there to offer comfort, hope, and something else.

For 20 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s disaster relief organization, Disaster Services Corporation (DSC), has provided victims of natural disasters with new furniture and other material needs through a program with an appropriate name: House in a Box™ . Born in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Catholic lay charitable organization and the Vincentian volunteers who run it have worked with victims of tornadoes in the Midwest, hurricanes along the East and Gulf coasts, and fires like the historic ones that ripped through southern California.

When disaster strikes, insurance may help rebuild a new home, but it often fails to cover the cost of refurnishing. For those living on the edge already, that’s a cost they often can’t bear. House in a Box™ allows families the opportunity to make a home livable again.

House in a Box™ is just that – a box of furniture and other goods that arrives on their doorstep. Each House in a Box™ package includes beds, linens, dishes, cookware, dressers, silverware, bathroom essentials, dining sets, and a comfortable couch.

“(You see) the joyful gasp on someone’s face when they see this literal box of things that they never thought that they would have a chance to receive as they try and rebuild their lives,” said Gonzalez, the Vincentian Services Members Coordinator for SVdP in Los Angeles.

“You see that vulnerability, that gratitude.”

‘Beds for Everyone’

The program’s launch point happened in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina., This led to what DSC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Peach said was likely the largest resource mobilization effort in Vincentian history.

“House in a Box came out of Hurricane Katrina, out of that need, and that gap that the Society filled,” said Peach.

“Twenty years later, it has evolved dramatically to the point where we are now partnering with some of the largest corporations in America. We work closely with Amazon Business (and) Walmart, and we’ve also been approached by businesses like Wayfair who want to work with the Society.”

DSC has now streamlined and improved House in a Box™ to better meet families’ specific needs at no charge, but with a donated value of at least $3,400 per “box” and often much more according to a local SVdP Council leader.

The human element

SVdP’s programs also open the doors for struggling neighbors to have options – a reclaiming of dignity that many in such situations rarely receive.

“Not all disasters, communities or households are the same. After Hurricane Helene last year, the biggest request by folks in Tennessee was vacuum cleaners,” Peach  said. “They wanted to make sure that their children had clean carpets and floors to play on. Folks in Louisiana had air conditioners as the number one requested item.”

“The children can pick different types of bed sheets. The adults can pick different colors of the sofa they want,” Peach said.

“Instead of being prescriptive, where everyone gets the same thing, we really brought in that human element so that they had more choice in the program.”

Time becomes the other critical element to the House in a Box™ formula.

“[Families] don’t have to wait months and months for us to find a local warehouse, staff it, and then have items shipped in and distributed,” said Peach. “We’ve had scenarios in Tennessee where a survivor would apply for the program and within 24 hours, they would have all 45 products delivered to their front door. You can’t put a price on that.”

SVdP supports families through long term recovery so they can rebound back stronger. For so many families, this campaign of Christ’s love became the difference maker in helping families build a workable “new normal.”

“We got flooded with pictures when children’s bedrooms were set up with House in a Box. One family said, ‘All of a sudden they heard their daughters down the hallway playing again, laughing again, that hope that’s instilled in the beauty of recovery.’” said Richard Remp Morris, CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Western Kentucky.

“They really felt like there was a renewed belief, a sense in, ‘We’re going to rebuild and be better.’”

DSC estimates that between the tornadoes of Western Kentucky in 2021, Hurricanes Helen and Milton in 2024, and the Los Angeles-area wildfires of 2025, Vincentians empowered more than 2,100 families with hope through House in a Box™.

For more information, visit www.svdpdisaster.org.

 

Election of Pope Leo XIV: Statement from SVdP USA National President John Berry

Election of Pope Leo XIV: Statement from SVdP USA National President John Berry 1920 1080 SVDP USA

Election of Pope Leo XIV: Statement from SVdP USA National President John Berry

The moment a new Pope steps onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time is always a powerful reminder that the Catholic Church endures and that the Holy Spirit is not finished with us yet. On behalf of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA, I offer heartfelt congratulations to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. We assure him of our prayers, our support, and our continued service to those in need as we are called to do by the Gospel.

Pope Leo XIV’s election is a moment of profound hope for the Church and the world, as he is entrusted with leading the faithful into a new era of grace, mercy, and renewal. As with Pope Francis, the papacy of Pope Leo XIV offers us an opportunity to further unity, deepen compassion, and strengthen our shared call to serve our neighbors—values that lie at the heart of the Vincentian mission.

The Society has always followed the Gospel path of encounter — walking with the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten. As the largest lay Catholic organization in the world, we are the hands and feet of Christ in our communities — in the homes we visit, in the meals we serve, and in the listening ear we offer. Pope Leo XIV’s witness to humility, simplicity, and care for the poor resonates deeply with our Vincentian spirit. We see in this new papacy an invitation to continue to grow and deepen our commitment to works of mercy, solidarity with the vulnerable, and the living out of Catholic social teaching — not only in words, but in deeds.

In the coming days and years, we are eager to listen, to learn, and to labor for the Kingdom of God — side by side with Pope Leo XIV, the clergy, religious, and laypeople across the globe.

May God bless our new Holy Father; may his papacy bring light to a searching world; and may we all be renewed in faith, in mission, and in love.


Declaración de John Berry sobre la elección del Papa León XIV

En el momento en que un nuevo Papa pisa el balcón de la Basílica de San Pedro por primera vez, siempre es un poderoso recordatorio de que la Iglesia Católica perdura y que el Espíritu Santo aún no ha terminado con nosotros. En nombre de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl de los Estados Unidos, felicito de corazón al Santo Padre, al Papa León XIV. Le aseguramos nuestras oraciones, nuestro apoyo y nuestro servicio continuo a las personas en necesidad, así como estamos llamados a hacerlo por el Evangelio.

La elección del Papa León XIV es un momento de profunda esperanza para la Iglesia y el mundo, ya que se le ha confiado la tarea de guiar a los fieles hacia una nueva era de gracia, misericordia y renovación. Al igual que con el Papa Francisco, el papado del Papa León XIV nos ofrece una oportunidad para promover la unidad, profundizar la compasión y fortalecer nuestro llamado compartido para servir a nuestro prójimo, valores que se encuentran en el corazón de la Misión Vicentina.

La Sociedad siempre ha seguido el camino evangélico del encuentro: caminar con las personas que viven en la pobreza, los que sufren y los olvidados. Como la organización católica laica más grande, somos las manos y los pies de Cristo en nuestras comunidades: en los hogares que visitamos, en las comidas que servimos y en el oído atento que ofrecemos. El testimonio del Papa León XIV sobre la humildad, la sencillez y el cuidado de las personas que viven en la pobreza resuena profundamente en nuestro espíritu Vicentino.

Vemos en este nuevo papado, una invitación a seguir creciendo y profundizando nuestro compromiso con las obras de misericordia, la solidaridad con los vulnerables y la vivencia de la doctrina Social Católica, no solo en palabras, sino con hechos.

En los próximos días y años, estaremos ansiosos por escuchar, aprender y trabajar por el Reino de Dios, codo a codo con el Papa León XIV, el clero, los religiosos y los laicos de todo el mundo.

Que Dios bendiga a nuestro nuevo Santo Padre; Que su papado lleve la luz a un mundo que la busca; Que todos seamos renovados en la Fe, en la Misión y en el Amor.

 John Berry, Presidente Nacional

Op-Ed: Should Charity Be Apolitical?

Op-Ed: Should Charity Be Apolitical? 1080 1350 SVDP USA

Op-Ed Published 4/25/2025 in Real Clear Religion. Submitted by John Berry, National President of Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA

Why should a Catholic charity involve itself in advocacy? “Stay out of politics,” many would say. If you want to help the poor, stick with works of charity. Leave it to the experts to address the issues that cause or perpetuate poverty, dependency, and need.

As the president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) USA — one of the largest religious charities in the country — I feel the weight of this question acutely.

At SVdP, we serve those in need without regard for their demographics or creed, no matter what political party is in power. But increasingly, I am convinced that the work of charity cannot, and must not, be neatly divided from the claims of justice. In other words: While SVdP is not a political organization, our work and our faith demand that we advocate for those living in poverty.

In America today, more than a half a million people every night experience homelessness. That number is rising, and the face of poverty is changing; seniors, women, single parents, and the displaced middle class have become a larger part of the more than 5 million people we serve every year.

A recent client at an SVdP in a Midwestern city exemplifies this trend. For years, Scott had worked hard and lived comfortably in the same home. Then his work hours were cut and his health declined; he had to assume primary caregiver responsibilities for his 80-year-old father and a fire forced them to leave their home. Just like that, he was facing homelessness and came to St. Vincent de Paul with nowhere else to go.

As Christians, we cannot simply walk by when we encounter suffering. We are called to act. But what kind of action is called for?

“It is too little to relieve the needy day by day,” wrote Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “It is necessary to get to the root of the evil, and by wise reforms to diminish the causes of public misery.”

Ozanam famously compared the work of charity to “the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveler who has been attacked,” before adding: “It is justice’s role to prevent the attack.” The personal encounter with our neighbor in need must propel us into action. Charity alone is not enough. We must become fighters for justice.

I am not simply making a “treat the root causes” argument for why religious charities like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul should not shy away from pursuing policy change. I am saying we have a particular responsibility to advocate on behalf of those we serve. Why? Because the people best equipped to craft policy changes that will truly help the poor and suffering are those who have personally served them, spoken with them, listened to them.

It is with this responsibility in mind that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is opening a second National Office, in Washington, DC. We will increase our efforts to advocate on behalf of those we serve and turn our focus more intensely towards the pressing issues of our time, particularly the scourge of poverty and homelessness that afflicts far too many of our fellow Americans. Recently, for example, we urged Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit. We also spoke out against cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food purchase program for schools and foodbanks.

In so doing, we are not drifting from the proper scope of our mission: We are focusing it. SVdP volunteers across the country spend countless hours each year in service to those living on the margins. We don’t come to understand the situations of neighbors in need from books or think tank sessions. We learn by being with them, suffering with them, praying with them, caring for them, loving them. The direct relationship we have with our neighbors in need gives us perspective and insight that we must share with policy makers, like-minded nonprofits, and other organizations to help drive change.

In other words: Charity must lead us towards justice. The personal encounter with those in need obligates us to advocate on behalf of those we serve. If we understand the root of their struggles and yet do nothing to help address the underlying causes, how is that any different from seeing them hungry or cold and refusing to provide them food or warmth?

“When we have fulfilled this ministry, not for a few months, but for many years,” the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s founder wrote, and when we have cared for those in need “at home, at school, at the hospital, not in one city only, but in many . . . then we begin to know the elements of this formidable problem of misery; then we have the right to propose serious measures, and instead of frightening society, we give it consolation and hope.”

So many struggling Americans need consolation and hope today. Those who serve them in charity must not hesitate to advocate on their behalf for justice.