News

New Issue of Serving in Hope Out Now

New Issue of Serving in Hope Out Now 830 830 SVDP USA

The latest edition of SVdP’s Serving in Hope Newsletter is now available!

Highlighting stories of how Vincentians are serving neighbors in need and changing lives across the country, Serving in Hope is published quarterly and sent to all donors of the National Council.  This issue’s cover story features Rita, a single mother who was able to find permanent housing and keep her family together thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support of local Vincentians. We’re also sharing a photo essay spotlighting some of the ways Vincentians brought help and hope to the poorest among us over the Christmas season.

If you haven’t received your copy yet, click here to read Serving in Hope.

National Council Announces New Friends of the Poor Grant Recipients

National Council Announces New Friends of the Poor Grant Recipients 1080 1080 SVDP USA

Grant awards for this round total $100,000. We received 150 grant applications totaling $741,855. Available FOP funding is normally limited to the amount raised and/or approved by the National Council budget process.

SVdP Conferences and District Councils can apply for up to $5,000 from the National Council’s Friends of the Poor Fund. Individual grant award amounts may vary from the application amount, but will not exceed $5,000. Grants are targeted to specific areas of need, above and beyond available Conference resources: assistance for rent/housing, utilities, food, clothing, medical, transportation, and baby/children needs.

St. Vincent de Paul Continues to Serve 2021 Tornado Survivors

St. Vincent de Paul Continues to Serve 2021 Tornado Survivors 2554 2560 SVDP USA

On November 11, St. Vincent de Paul of Western Kentucky hosted 50 families who survived the 2021 tornadoes with a pre-Thanksgiving celebration in Mayfield, Kentucky.

Many survivors expressed their gratitude for St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services Corporation’s national House in a Box™ program. One survivor, Tommy Jackson, singled out SVdP Community Liaison, Vicki Duncan: “Miss Vicki was so helpful through it all. When I didn’t know where to go or what to do, she gave me direction. She is truly a blessing.” When he left, Jackson shared with Miss Vicki a handmade afghan and several scripture quotes that are dear to him.

Survivors had a chance to visit with SVdP Diocesan Council Board Members: President Nancy Harris and Vice President Harry Bellew. Harris reflected, “Journeying with the survivors in their recovery is essential so they know they’re not forgotten. We as Vincentians are the long-term recovery people. When everyone else is gone, we’re still here to help. Western Kentucky is our home.”

She continued, “I was humbled by their gratitude — their stories made it so real for me. It was also a great opportunity for us to visit with our special Mayfield Vincentians, they are our local boots on the ground.” The St. Joseph Conference from Mayfield provided the survivor families with fellowship and wonderful hospitality, including delicious food and refreshments.

The community still faces many unmet needs. SVdP Diocesan Council CEO Richard B. Remp-Morris says, “We are thankful for the resources to continue to help tornado survivors. We have seen such generosity from our donors, especially St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services Corporation and the American Red Cross. However, the need is still so great. It has been a privilege — and at the same time personally rewarding — to be able to serve the western Kentucky tornado survivors.”

As families left the event, they were gifted a new microwave, a tin of holiday cookies, and a $50 gift card towards their Thanksgiving meal. All children received a small bag of candy.

SVdP News Roundup October 14 – October 20

SVdP News Roundup October 14 – October 20 1080 1080 SVDP USA

With 100,000 Vincentians across the United States and nearly 800,000 around the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering. Read some of their stories here:

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

SVdP News Roundup October 7 – October 13

SVdP News Roundup October 7 – October 13 1080 1080 SVDP USA

With 100,000 Vincentians across the United States and nearly 800,000 around the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering. Read some of their stories here:

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

SVdP News Roundup September 30 – October 6

SVdP News Roundup September 30 – October 6 1080 1080 SVDP USA

With 100,000 Vincentians across the United States and nearly 800,000 around the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering. Read some of their stories here:

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

SVdP News Roundup September 23 – September 29

SVdP News Roundup September 23 – September 29 1080 1080 SVDP USA

With 100,000 Vincentians across the United States and nearly 800,000 around the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering. Read some of their stories here:

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

National Council Announces New Board of Directors

National Council Announces New Board of Directors 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Under the leadership of incoming National President John Berry, a new Board of Directors for the National Council of the U.S., Society of St. Vincent de Paul will take office beginning October 1. They are:

  • John Berry, National President
  • John Hallissy, First Vice President and Chair of the National Governance Committee
  • Kat Brissette, Second Vice President and National Vice President of Youth, Young Adults, and Emerging Leaders
  • Steve Zabilski, Second Vice President and Chair of the National Development and Communications Committee
  • Carrie Johnson-Robinson, National Secretary
  • Edward McCarthy, National Treasurer
  • Brian Burgess, Liaison to National Subsidiaries
  • Aldo Barletta, National Vice President of Vincentian Spiritual Growth and Enrichment
  • Pauline Manalo, National Vice President of Vincentian Programs and Services
  • Pamela Matambanadzo, National Vice President of Vincentian Friendship and Community
  •  Sean Myers, National Vice President of Membership and Leadership Development
  • Tom Pelger, National Vice President of Regional and Council Support
  • Isabel Darcy, National Vice President – Southeast Region
  • Judy Dietlein, National Vice President – Western Region
  • Mark Gordon, National Vice President – Northeast Region
  • Don Kany, National Vice President – Mountain Region
  • Paul Korkemaz, National Vice President – Eastern Region
  • Chuck Korte, National Vice President – Midwest Region
  • Michael Pazzaglini, National Vice President – South Central Region
  • Bat Seymour, National Vice President – Mideast Region
  • Susan Wiland, National Vice President – North Central Region
  • Tom Abbate, CEO Task Force
  • Claudia Ramirez, CEO Task Force

Please pray for our servant leaders!

SVdP News Roundup September 16 – September 22

SVdP News Roundup September 16 – September 22 1080 1080 SVDP USA

With 100,000 Vincentians across the United States and nearly 800,000 around the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering. Read some of their stories here:

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

John Berry Becomes 14th National President

John Berry Becomes 14th National President 1024 683 SVDP USA

At a Mass at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, John Berry of Atlanta, Georgia, was installed as the 14th National President of the National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul. His six-year term in office will begin October 1, 2023.

An experienced senior executive and tireless advocate for people in poverty, Berry served as Chief Executive Officer for SVdP Georgia for 14 years before retiring in 2020. In his work there, he championed national, state, and local efforts to fight poverty, dependence, and need. In September 2020, he founded Berry Consulting Solutions, LLC; consulting experts in Nonprofit Board Governance, Organizational Dynamics, Strategic Planning, and Development & Fundraising.

During his 14 years at SVdP Georgia, Berry led an organization that impacted poverty by hundreds of millions of dollars. Berry is a vocal advocate at the National and State levels, working with Congress and the Georgia State Legislature on issues related to children, families, the poor, and those at the margins.

Berry’s role at SVdP Georgia followed his successful 25-year business and federal government career, beginning as an engineer in the commercial nuclear power industry and leading to senior executive management positions with Fortune 100 companies in the nuclear power, environmental engineering, and high technology sectors, which included extensive international experience in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

An active member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul since 1996, Berry’s presidency will focus on growing and expanding the Society’s membership, with a special focus on diverse communities, youth, and young adults. He wants to create an inclusive Society that provides opportunities for everyone to grow in holiness and friendship through service to those in need.

“As National President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul,” he says, “I will work tirelessly with all our Conferences and Councils to ensure that we remain a vibrant and relevant ministry service those who need our hands, our voice, and our love.”

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