Homelessness Prevention

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SVDP USA Will Open Washington D.C. Office to Advocate for Measures to Prevent Homelessness

SVDP USA Will Open Washington D.C. Office to Advocate for Measures to Prevent Homelessness https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DC-office-e1738084944209.png 1152 1101 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 28, 2025 April 2, 2025

Published January 28, 2025

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP), which serves more than 5 million people living in poverty a year, announced it will open a second national office in the heart of Washington D.C. this year to advocate on issues related to poverty and homelessness and to expand the organization’s presence among policy makers in the nation’s capital.

Speaking at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) in Washington D.C., SVdP National President John Berry said the time was right to take a bold approach to highlighting the causes of homelessness and the steps that can be taken to reduce the number of people who are unhoused.

“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s unique, personal approach to supporting so many people in need provides a distinct and important platform to drive awareness of how to help at-risk populations,” Berry said. “Homelessness continues to be a pressing issue that is often forgotten. We will use our experience and our national platform to drive greater awareness of this crisis and work to provide solutions that work.”

The soon-to-be named director of the Washington office will help lead the organization’s advocacy efforts, with an initial focus on homelessness among the elderly and families with children.

In December, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “point-in-time” estimate found more than 770,000 people in the U.S were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024. That was an 18% increase from 2023. This year’s point-in-time survey was conducted on Jan. 22.

At the same time, a separate report showed that the number of older women classified as impoverished rose from 11.7% to 15% in 2023. Today, one in six American women 65 years old or older live in poverty. Among Black, Latina, and Indigenous populations, the poverty rate is closer to one in five.

“Helping these vulnerable populations is something that everybody, right or left, conservative or liberal, can support,” Berry said. “SVdP USA was recently recognized as the 59^th largest nonprofit in the United States, and it is only natural that an organization with a national and global impact as large as ours, should use the knowledge and front line experience that we uniquely obtain through our work to engage in debate and policy creation at the highest levels.”

“At the same time, it’s important to remind people that the work of our 90,000 Vincentian volunteers goes on day in and day out in cities and towns across the country. These are the men and women who make the difficult journeys of their neighbors their own journey, providing help, direction, and Christian friendship.”

Berry’s announcement came amid SVdP’s sponsorship of CSMG, which is the premier annual gathering of U.S. Catholic social ministry leaders. The conference is organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and this year’s theme, “Missionaries of Hope, Advocates for Justice,” recognized the call to be beacons of God’s love.

Keynote speakers for the four-day conference included his Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States; Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, President of the USCCB; Dr. Emile Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, The Holy See; and Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson, Bishop of Yakima.

SVdP’s Berry and CEO Michael Acaldo also led a discussion about the organization’s mission and the ways it intends to advocate on homelessness prevention in Washington. SVdP’s headquarters will remain in St. Louis.

SVdP’s model includes a wide range of efforts to prevent homelessness and serve communities with tailored programs to serve with specific needs. But the core of the SVdP mission, are the person-to-person encounters that serve as the essence of its ministry. During these encounters, Vincentians may visit the homes of people who need assistance to remain housed.

Encounters also occur wherever necessary to support people in a dignified manner. This assistance runs the gamut from financial help to pay rent and utility bills, to helping with food and prescription assistance, to linking the person with other public and private organizations, to prayer and spiritual comfort. This is efficient, non-bureaucratic and effective in getting people the help they need at that moment – help that is often enough to stave off a pending eviction.

Besides living out Christ’s calling to love our neighbor, SVdP USA believes its approach offers a more cost-effective and humane solution to address the nation’s housing crisis. Research by the National Alliance to End Homelessness reveals that it costs an average of $35,578 per year to support a person who is chronically homeless, including costs for emergency shelters, healthcare, and law enforcement. In contrast, preventing homelessness through early intervention costs, on average, $2,000 per household, according to the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities at the University of Notre Dame.

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Remarks to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Catholic Social Ministry Gathering

Remarks to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Catholic Social Ministry Gathering https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JohnBerry2024.jpeg 1024 1024 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 27, 2025 January 30, 2025

By John Berry, National President
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA

“Let us love, not with words but with deeds.” Those words from 1^st John were used by Pope Francis to open the very first World Day of the Poor in 2017, and they remind us of the profound responsibility we share as Christians to act boldly in service to others. Tonight, as we begin this Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, I would like to share some thoughts on how we transform this divine mandate into action.

During our time together, we will be discussing issues important to our ministries and those we serve. We will discuss the calls to action required to address the many needs in the world. And we will also celebrate the profound joy that comes from growing in holiness through our response to Christ’s call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, welcome the stranger, minister to the sick, and visit the prisoner. The work of every Ministry represented here is a vital lifeline for countless people in need, individuals and families often standing at the brink of despair, searching for a glimmer of hope.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

A new year brings challenges and opportunities. This year, how will WE respond to them as we answer the call to serve? Amongst the excitement of new beginnings, the anticipation of fresh starts, there are also apprehensions about the changes and challenges that may lie ahead. But amidst these feelings, one constant remains: the enduring power of hope. And so, it is proper that the theme of our gathering is “Missionaries of Hope, Advocates of Justice.”

For Hope is the belief that even in the face of adversity, goodness and redemption are possible. It is the conviction that we can overcome obstacles, heal divisions, and build a more just and compassionate world. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

But hope alone is not enough. It must propel us to action, inspiring efforts that ripple outward, create lasting change, and make our world a better place. But we face a difficult challenge when frankly, we sometimes wonder if the world has lost its mind. A world where yesterday thousands of people marched to advocate for the sanctity of life, and politicians came out and spoke to them and had their pictures taken with them and then went right back up the marble stairs of the Capitol and continued to plan how to cut billions of dollars in aid to babies that are born to the poor and the homeless. A world where it is considered acceptable to cut billions of dollars in aid to the homeless, but it’s OK to spend trillions of dollars to plant a flag on Mars.

So, WE must become Advocates for Justice, transforming hope into action, and helping to heal our wounded world.

Our call to serve the poor, the refugee, the sick, and ALL those who suffer injustice and oppression is deeply rooted in Scripture. The Old Testament prophets often reminded Israel of their duty to care for the marginalized. We hear Isaiah proclaim:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

That call tells us that our work must be holistic and transformative, addressing both immediate needs and systemic injustices.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents us with a clear and unambiguous description of how God will judge whether we lived out his commandment to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Jesus tells us that our service to others is not just a charitable act — but a divine mandate.

In the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we celebrate a rich heritage of charitable work that has come before us, since our founding in 1833 in Paris as an effort by six college students to find a way to put their faith into action through service to the poor. That small effort has become a fire that lights the world. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul today serves in 155 countries around the world, with 800,000 Members and 1.5 million volunteers. We provided more than 1.49 TRILLION Euros in Service to over 30 million people in 2023.

This year, we will celebrate the 180^th Anniversary of the founding of the Society here in the United States. St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, one of those 6 students and the founder of the Society, laid a foundation that continues to inspire us.

Our founders underscored the importance of charity as an inclusive act, not merely an exchange of goods — but a genuine relationship and community-building effort.

Our SVdP core value is deep, personal encounters with those we serve. It is this heritage of compassionate, relational charity that is the foundation of who we are and what we cherish and honor as we move forward.

Our Vincentians understand the words that George Bernard Shaw wrote many years ago, “The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them.” So, the SVdP commitment to a human-to-human, Christ-centered encounter with all those we serve is unwavering and ensures that we are never indifferent to their material needs, but more importantly, we are not indifferent to their need to be seen, to be heard, and to be loved; by us and by God. Our commitment to compassion and service is unwavering.

In his 2017 World Day of the Poor message, Pope Francis wrote:

“We may think of the poor simply as the beneficiaries of our occasional volunteer work, or of impromptu acts of generosity that appease our conscience. However good and useful such acts may be for making us sensitive to people’s needs and the injustices that are often their cause, they ought to lead to a true encounter with the poor and a sharing that becomes a way of life.”

That true spiritual encounter touches us. It enriches us. It is a shared encounter. We Vincentians know that we get more from our encounters with our neighbors in need than we give.

But to be able to alleviate the suffering and need of those who we help, we must also recognize the need for adaptation to a world that is changing around us. Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, challenged us to rethink our approach to charity. He wrote:

“No one can demand that the poor remain on the margins of society, and no one should be indifferent to their plight. We need a Church that is open to the world, which listens to the poor, and which is ready to adapt to their needs.”

While Scripture provides us with timeless guidance, the challenges we face today require a modern lens. Thus, Pope Francis urges us to go beyond immediate relief and address the roots of poverty with innovative solutions.

As we strive to uphold the timeless virtues of compassion and charity, we must be ready to confront the future with boldness and adaptability.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

To serve effectively in an ever-changing world, we are challenged to open our minds and hearts. We must ask ourselves: How can we be more inclusive? How can we address the root causes of poverty, rather than just the symptoms?

The needs of the poor are evolving. 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 at SVdP USA. For example, today, issues like digital exclusion and environmental challenges require us to consider solutions we didn’t have before. Charitable organizations must be bold and imaginative.

Areas such as new technology solutions can create new avenues for assistance, education, and empowerment, but we must balance those with our commitment to the Christ centered human encounter between people.

As the world evolves, so do the needs of the poor. We know change often meets resistance, especially when it challenges traditions. Yet, it is through change that we grow and better meet the needs of those we serve.

To address the infinite misery of the present and future, we must be willing to think creatively. This means developing better systems to reach more people in an ever more mobile society, collaborating with other organizations such as the ones represented here at CSMG and those beyond the Catholic sphere, to amplify our impact, and continuously educating ourselves about the root causes of poverty and injustice. That is why CSMG is such an important gathering for all of us. Let us not lose this time we have together to strengthen the bonds between our organizations, create new collaborations, and refine our approach to solving the challenges we all face. We need to be open to innovative ideas from all members of our community, especially the younger generation, who bring fresh perspectives and energy to our missions and who we too often overlook.

To address the changes in the world today, and to achieve tangible results and real impact, we must answer the crucial question: What is that great balance that must be achieved between WHAT we do and HOW we do it? What we do is bring love, respect, and compassion, and that must never change. But how we do it must change. Our willingness to adapt will make what we do much better.

This year, SVdP USA is launching new initiatives to channel our hopes into concrete action. I am pleased to announce tonight that we will be opening our second National Office in Washington, DC in March. 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 recognized as the 59^th largest nonprofit in the United States by Forbes Magazine, SVdP USA provided over $1.7 Billion in services directly to over 5 million people in need last year through our network of nearly 90,000 volunteers. This unique, direct relationship we have with our neighbors in need gives us a perspective and view from the reality of the poor that we will be able to share with policy makers and like-minded nonprofits and other organizations. The new DC office will anchor that advocacy work.

The stark and shocking reality of America and the world today is that millions of our brothers and sisters lack basic necessities — affordable housing, nutritious food, and quality healthcare. Families live on the streets, children go to bed hungry, and the cycle of poverty persists. Imagine a mother putting her children down to sleep on a cold night like tonight — with no bed and no roof overhead. Or a child going to school hungry, unable to focus on learning. This is the reality WE must change.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

This is a crisis of conscience for our nation and every nation. It is a stark reminder that the pursuit of individual prosperity cannot come at the expense of the common good. We are called, as followers of Christ, to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.

So, how do we translate our hopes and dreams into meaningful action?

Primarily, we must open our eyes and our hearts to the suffering around us. We must acknowledge the realities of poverty and homelessness in our own communities. We must listen to the stories of those who are struggling, and we must seek to understand their experiences.

We cannot help if we do not understand. And we cannot understand if we do not listen.

Secondly, we must challenge the systems that perpetuate poverty by advocating for affordable housing, living wages, and access to quality education and healthcare. When we advocate for policies addressing affordable housing or living wages, we embody Isaiah’s call to ‘loose the chains of injustice.’ Our faith and our actions must walk hand in hand. We must support organizations that are working to address the root causes of poverty, including systemic racism and economic inequality. Our Washington DC office will advocate in partnership with USCCB, Catholic Charities, CRS, and other willing and like-minded nonprofits on these matters. Together we can drive the changes needed to address poverty at its source.

And finally, we must cultivate a spirit of solidarity and collective action. We must remember that we are all interconnected, and that the well-being of each of us is dependent on the well-being of all. We must work together to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

As we look ahead, I am inspired by what we can accomplish together. Imagine a community where every child has access to food, every family has a safe place to call home, and every individual feels valued. Together, we can make that vision a reality.

The task before us is daunting, but not insurmountable. We cannot solve the problems of poverty and homelessness overnight. But we can, each one of us, make a difference. We can be a force for good in the world. We can build a more just and compassionate society, a society where everyone can live a life of dignity and hope.

And we must not fail — not in our resolve, not in our compassion, and not in our duty to act.

Our goal must be not just to alleviate suffering, but to encounter the divine in our service to others. By looking to the future with hope and embracing new ways of doing things, we serve in ways that are both meaningful and transformative.

In his 2023 message for the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis wrote:

“Our daily efforts to welcome the poor are still not enough. A great river of poverty is traversing our cities and swelling to the point of overflowing; it seems to overwhelm us, so great are the needs of our brothers and sisters who plead for our help, support, and solidarity.” … It is easy to delegate charity to others, yet the calling of every Christian is to become personally involved.”

This call to perseverance in the face of what at times seems like hopelessness reminds us that our efforts, though sometimes modest, are significant. Every novel approach, every innovative idea, can make a profound difference. Each of us matters.

Addressing the topic of individual impact, Robert Kennedy once spoke to university students in South Africa amid the struggles against apartheid. Kennedy spoke passionately about how individual effort, which at times can seem fruitless and insignificant, does make a difference. He said:

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

We stand poised to face new challenges with courage and creativity. As we move forward, let us do so with hearts full of love, minds open to innovation, and spirits grounded in the timeless values of our faith.

Together, we can make a difference that echoes through the ages, bringing hope and healing to a world in need.

My Brothers and Sisters, the call to serve is a divine mandate that transcends time and tradition. Let us be committed and courageous in our approach to answering that call.

Let us commit, in the spirit of the Gospel of Matthew 25, to serving Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters.

Let us commit to be courageous in adapting our charitable efforts to meet the evolving needs of the poor.

Let us commit to embrace this new year with renewed hope and a renewed commitment to action as instruments of God’s love and mercy in the world.

Let us commit together to build a beloved community where all are welcome, where all are valued, and where all can flourish.

Let us commit to be bold, compassionate, and innovative as we work together to build a future filled with hope and healing.

And let us commit that our efforts will reflect the love of Christ in every act of charity we undertake.

Together, let us be the light that dispels the darkness, the hands that heal, and the hearts that love unconditionally.

As we move forward with courage and faith; without fear or apprehension let us be inspired by the words of Blessed Frederick Ozanam, ‘Let us not be discouraged; let us be better,’

In closing, I offer you the words of St. Vincent de Paul: ‘Go to the poor: you will find God.’ This simple yet profound directive guides all of us in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in our mission to serve with love and compassion, and I invite you to make it your guide as well.

Thank you and God bless.

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Home Visit Highlight: SVdP Delivers Hope for the Holidays to Long Island Family

Home Visit Highlight: SVdP Delivers Hope for the Holidays to Long Island Family https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Long-Island-home-visit.png 1198 1198 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 17, 2025 January 17, 2025

Home Visit Highlight: SVdP Delivers Hope for the Holidays to Long Island Family

No family deserves to spend the holidays sharing one mattress on the floor of their apartment.

Josephine Melton-McGovern and Marianne Simpson, two volunteers for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, couldn’t believe what they saw last November when they first stepped inside the apartment of a family of four in Long Island. The room was barren—no furniture in sight, just a single mattress where the mother, father, and their two young children, a two-year-old and a four-month-old, all slept together.

“I saw it as a safety issue, especially for the four-month-old,” said Josephine. “I explained it to the mother, and she was all ears. She understood what I was saying.”

That same day, Josephine and Marianne helped deliver a donated portable crib for the baby. The next day, they stocked the family’s shelves with food and drawers with clothing. Within three days, the family’s apartment was fully furnished with a new mattress, box spring, and frame, along with blankets, sheets, pillows, two dressers, a sofa, end tables, a coffee table, and a kitchen table with chairs.

Two days later, the family also enjoyed a real Thanksgiving dinner, thanks to a turkey and fixings provided by SVdP.

“All [the mother] kept saying was ‘Thank you! Thank you!’ They were so grateful. We were so glad they had a nice Thanksgiving – I was so worried about that.”

As part of their Vincentian charism, Josephine and Marianne serve families like this every day. They know that a lack of bare necessities is the grim reality for many who have lost their homes or are on the brink of homelessness. This family had recently moved out of a shelter and into an apartment—a success story in the minds of many organizations. But they had also lost all their belongings due to a roach infestation.

Marianne and Josephine visited the family as part of a Home Visit Encounter, a core tenet of SVdP’s work. In the Home Visit, Vincentians go in pairs to visit those they serve. In doing so, they are able to assess the family’s situation in a way that many other charitable organizations are not. Because of that Home Visit, Marianne and Josephine were able to discern that the family needed more than just a new mattress.

Michael Bedell, president of the St. Frances Cabrini Conference for SVdP, learned of the Long Island family’s needs from a questionnaire they filled out on the organization’s website. He then gave them a call to get more information and schedule a Home Visit. The family is one of 65 that he and his Conference have administered Home Visits for in the last year.

“We’re calling each family and are basically saying to them, ‘Is there anything we can do for you during the holidays?’” said Michael. “It might be a ham, it could be a toy, it could be anything … but we try to put those touches on people so they can have a good holiday. We also recognize that Christmas can’t end in December. It’s got to go all year round.”

And it does. Every day, SVdP Councils and Conferences all over the globe are helping individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness – through services such as rent and utility assistance, shelters, food pantries, thrift stores, pharmacies and medical clinics, and much more.

For Marianne, the Home Visits particularly hit home.

“I feel so fortunate to help because I’ve been in that situation – I raised five children on my own,” Marianne said. “I know what it’s like to have to reach out, go to the church, go to social services – all of those things. The more people that I can help to not have to go through that, the more it makes me feel good.”

SVdP USA flips the traditional model of a nonprofit in the homelessness services sector. Instead of vulnerable individuals having to go out and seek things like food, clothing, and support, SVdP’s Vincentian volunteers come to them via the Home Visit, providing tangible assistance, a listening ear, and friendship.

Bedell says it’s the instinct of a Vincentian to go out and serve.

“We all do it from our hearts with no expectations,” he said. “But when we give, we also receive back. We all close our eyes at night knowing that we changed a life. There is no better feeling in the world and it is a feeling more people should seek.”

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The Pillar feature: For SVDP, preventing homelessness begins with home visits

The Pillar feature: For SVDP, preventing homelessness begins with home visits https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/St-Vincent-de-Paul-Society-Ohio.jpeg 623 594 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png January 2, 2025 December 30, 2024

The Pillar feature: For SVDP, preventing homelessness begins with home visits

Published in The Pillar Catholic media project on December 30, 2024 by Laura Loker

The statistics surrounding homelessness in America are sobering.

The number of Americans experiencing homelessness increased 12% from 2022 to 2023. Some research even estimates that as many as 3 in 4 Americans will experience poverty or near poverty in their lifetimes.

Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of Americans are “very concerned” about housing costs, and nearly three-quarters are likewise concerned about the prices of food and consumer goods.

To Michael Acaldo, the new CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, such statistics are calls to action.

Acaldo, who began the position in October, comes to the society’s national council from its Baton Rouge, Louisiana council. There he spent nearly 35 years building up large-scale efforts like its five emergency shelters, charitable pharmacy (which gives away prescription medications at no cost) and dining room (which serves free hot meals).

Now, he hopes to raise awareness of the society’s work.

“Although we want to embrace that humility that Christ calls us to, we also have to evangelize about what we’re doing so people can become a part of our mission,” Acaldo told The Pillar. “Because the needs today are much greater than they were just five years ago.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul originated in France in the early nineteenth century. Moved to help the poor he saw in Paris, 20-year-old university student Frédéric Ozanam founded the “Conference of Charity” with a few friends in 1833.

Soon after, the group adopted St. Vincent de Paul, servant of the poor and marginalized, as their patron and namesake. In 1845 the society made its way to the United States — beginning in St. Louis, Missouri, where the national council remains today.

The country’s 90,000 members — who call themselves “Vincentians” — belong to over 4,000 local parish conferences. Each individual conference works together to respond to the needs of its local community, which can range from food to furniture to emergency funds.

Catholics not directly involved with the organization often perceive it solely as its most visible outreach, Bob Glavin, president of St. Mary of the Assumption conference in Springboro, Ohio, told The Pillar. In the broader Dayton area, where he lives, most people know the organization for their two large emergency shelters.

But while homeless shelters are important — indeed, the society operates many across the country — their priority is homelessness prevention, Acaldo explained.

“Homeless prevention is something that the society has done from its very beginning,” he said.

And their central method, largely unseen by other Catholics in the pews, is the home visit.

Specific responses to specific needs

Today, it works like this: Local conferences operate a hotline that neighbors in need may call. After a neighbor leaves their information on their voicemail, a Vincentian follows up for more details. In many cases, the local conference arranges a visit to the caller’s home to learn more about their situation and how they might help.

Two members — often a man and a woman, said Glavin — begin with a prayer prior to knocking on the door. Then they spend a few minutes with the neighbor, listening and asking questions about what they need and why the crisis arose.

“We’re here to help people get over a temporary situation,” said Glavin, who conducts home visits in his community. Unexpected car repairs or a prolonged illness that precludes working, for example, can leave a neighbor short on rent one month.

Such aid can make or break whether someone falls deeper into the poverty cycle, Acaldo explained.

“When you go out and you make one of these home visits, and you’re helping somebody with groceries, or maybe a portion of a rent payment or an electric bill or a water bill, you really are keeping them housed,” he said.

Indeed, a study from the University of Notre Dame’s Lab of Economic Opportunity found that families offered emergency financial assistance were 81% less likely to become homeless over a six-month period and 73% less likely over a twelve-month period. Such figures also suggest that targeting at-risk populations with emergency assistance can be more cost-effective than waiting until they are experiencing homelessness to intervene.

Conferences are careful, however, to use their resources — which come largely from individual donations — effectively.

“We’re not paying their entire rent bill,” said Glavin. “Normally, we’re paying a portion, and we want to know — is that going to avert the impending eviction? Is that going to put this neighbor on solid ground for a period of time where they can recover, or not?”

Vincentians also have these conversations with landlords and utility companies, whom they pay directly — and only after the tenant has contributed the remaining funds. If the problem is more systemic than spontaneous, wherein one-time assistance will not make a meaningful difference in the individual’s situation, Vincentians direct them to other local social services that may be able to help.

Occasionally, other needs become apparent during home visits. One neighbor, Sam, reached out for help with his utility bill, Glavin said. As they talked, Sam also mentioned that he could no longer push his vacuum cleaner around his small apartment due to a medical condition. He had contacted the county’s elderly services for help, but he was still on a waiting list.

So Glavin and his home visit partner vacuumed the apartment. And they came back several more times to vacuum until Sam told them a family member had stepped in to help.

“No act of charity is foreign to the society,” Glavin explained, quoting the organization’s motto. “So whatever people need, our calling and our ministry is to help if we can.”

Before they leave a home, the pair of Vincentians pray with their neighbor. Sometimes, Glavin said, they tell the individual or family that they’re welcome at their local parish.

Always, they try to be empathetic and supportive. Glavin recalled one visit when a mother was relieved just to be able to talk to someone about her son’s serious medical condition.

“The financial support helps,” he said. “But it’s not always the most important thing.”

‘Paying rent for Christ’

Many people, said Acaldo, believe the society is primarily a social services organization.

“We’re not,” he clarified. “We’re a spiritual organization. We are called to come together to grow spiritually in the great blessing of serving our neighbors in need.”

The spiritual emphasis, he said, is “truly very powerful.”

“When we go out to visit somebody, we knock on Christ’s door,” Acaldo continued. “We’re bringing groceries for Christ. We’re paying rent for Christ, and we’re encountering Christ and seeing Christ in those we are blessed to serve.”

Glavin affirmed that his own faith has grown since he joined the society five years ago, both from his involvement in their service and the example and support of other members.

“We’re acting as Christ would, right?” said Glavin. “I mean, he’s visiting people, he’s talking to people. He’s making friends with people who are not people we normally might encounter.”

Now that he is in a position of national leadership, Acaldo cannot participate in as much direct service. It is an aspect of the transition, he said, that a colleague warned him he might find challenging.

So he and his colleagues at the national council are planning to start quarterly “mission days,” in which they’ll partner with local Vincentians to do on-the-ground service to “stay in touch with who we are and what we’re about.”

“I think it’s always important, if you’re in an administrative-type role, that you keep that focus,” he said.

According to the society’s annual report, American Vincentians visited 1.8 million neighbors and offered $1.7 billion worth of services in the 2023 fiscal year. Their impact, Acaldo said, is “huge.”

“But we want to multiply that,” said Acaldo. “We want to multiply that and be able to bring God’s love to those who truly need that helping hand up.”

Helping families on the brink of homelessness saint vincent de paul 2

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The Catholic Exchange feature: Michael Acaldo talks about the Catholic Way to Address Homelessness

The Catholic Exchange feature: Michael Acaldo talks about the Catholic Way to Address Homelessness https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11.jpg 1080 720 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png December 30, 2024 December 30, 2024

The Catholic Way to Address Homelessness: An Interview with Michael Acaldo

Published in the Catholic Exchange December 26, 2024 by author and writer Joshua Nelson

omelessness is a growing crisis in the United States, with over 580,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, according to Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunity. Rising housing costs, mental health challenges, and systemic poverty have left countless individuals and families vulnerable. Yet, in the face of this daunting reality, the Catholic Church offers a unique and deeply compassionate response, rooted in the Gospel and embodied through organizations like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP).

Michael Acaldo, the newly appointed CEO of SVdP USA, has dedicated more than 30 years to addressing homelessness. His leadership reflects the Society’s longstanding mission to meet people where they are and prevent homelessness before it begins. Drawing on his faith and decades of service, Acaldo views homelessness not merely as a social issue but as a profound call to live out Christ’s command to love one another.

A Catholic Framework for Addressing Homelessness

The Catholic perspective on homelessness begins with recognizing the inherent dignity of every person. This principle, articulated by theologians such as St. Thomas Aquinas, stems from the belief that all humans are made in the image and likeness of God. As St. Vincent de Paul himself said, “Go to the poor: you will find God.”

For Catholics, the solution to homelessness must go beyond providing temporary relief. It involves affirming the dignity of those in need through compassion, community, and long-term support. Pope Francis has frequently urged Catholics to see the face of Christ in the poor, reminding us in Evangelii Gaudium that “the worst discrimination which the poor suffer is the lack of spiritual care.” This insight underscores the dual nature of Catholic service: addressing both material and spiritual needs.

SVdP’s Mission: Prevention and Compassion

At the heart of SVdP’s approach is homelessness prevention. Michael Acaldo emphasized the importance of early intervention: “When someone becomes homeless, it’s much harder to help them out of that cycle. But a little investment—a rent payment, utility assistance, or a hot meal—can turn the tide before a crisis spirals out of control.”

SVdP’s Home Visit program is a cornerstone of this mission. Volunteers, known as Vincentians, visit individuals and families in their homes to assess their needs and provide personalized support. This model, established nearly 180 years ago, is a powerful example of Pope St. John Paul II’s teaching in Sollicitudo Rei Socialis: “Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.”

Through their work, Vincentians often uncover hidden struggles, such as families without enough food, children sleeping on floors, or individuals unable to afford medical care. Each encounter is an opportunity to restore dignity and stability. As Acaldo put it, “Every person is a person. They’re not an object; they have their own story. And we meet them where they are.”

The Role of Faith in Action

For SVdP, addressing homelessness is not just about social service—it is a spiritual mission. “We’re a spiritual organization first,” Acaldo explained. “Our work is rooted in love and the Gospel call to see the face of Christ in those we serve.” This spiritual foundation inspires Vincentians to approach each person with humility, accountability, and hope.

One of SVdP’s most moving traditions is beginning home visits with prayer. Often, the individuals being served lead these prayers, expressing a profound faith that transcends their circumstances. Acaldo shared how one person, on the brink of eviction, prayed, “Lord, I knew You would send help.” Such moments reveal the deep connection between service and evangelization, a concept echoed by St. Teresa of Calcutta: “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

A Broader Catholic Response

The Catholic Church’s response to homelessness also involves advocating for systemic change. Acaldo highlighted the need for policies that address rising housing costs, mental health care, and disability support. He emphasized that preventing homelessness is not only compassionate but cost-effective, saving society money while preserving the dignity of individuals and families.

In addition to advocacy, the Church encourages simple acts of charity. Many Vincentians carry small care packages in their cars—water bottles, granola bars, and information on local shelters—to offer immediate aid to those on the street. As Acaldo explained, “The smallest gestures can make a world of difference. A bottle of water or a kind word can remind someone of their worth.”

Stories of Transformation

SVdP’s impact is best illustrated through the lives it touches. Acaldo recalled the story of a man in Baton Rouge who, on Christmas Day, asked to call his mother in Minnesota. Homeless and alone, the simple act of reconnecting with his family brought him to tears. “It was like giving him a million dollars,” Acaldo said. Another story involved a legally blind British citizen stranded in Louisiana after a hurricane. With SVdP’s help, he was reunited with his family in Great Britain, a testament to the organization’s commitment to seeing every case through.

A Call to Action

The Catholic Church invites everyone to participate in the mission of serving the poor. Acaldo urged readers to visit svdpusa.org to find local councils, volunteer opportunities, and resources for starting new SVdP chapters. He also encouraged Catholics to pray for those in need and for the volunteers who serve them.

As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in Deus Caritas Est, “Love of neighbor . . . consists in the very fact that, in God and with God, I love even the person whom I do not like or even know.” This love, embodied by SVdP, transforms not only those who are served but also those who serve.

Conclusion

Homelessness is a profound challenge, but the Catholic approach—rooted in compassion, prevention, and spiritual care—offers hope. Through organizations like SVdP, the Church continues to be a beacon of light for those in the darkness of poverty. By responding to Christ’s call in Matthew 25, we can help ensure that every person has not just a roof over their head but the dignity and hope that come from being truly seen and loved.

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Podcast: National President John Berry’s vision for SVDP USA’s role in homelessness prevention

Podcast: National President John Berry’s vision for SVDP USA’s role in homelessness prevention https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/John-Berry-President-SVDP-USA-podcast-SVDP-Louisville-episode-32.png 627 621 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png December 16, 2024 December 16, 2024

National President John Berry’s vision for SVDP USA’s role in homelessness prevention

In the latest episode of the St. Vincent de Paul Louisville video podcast, our National President John Berry shares his unexpected journey into the SVDP USA organization and his deep passion for homelessness prevention.

Listen to Episode 32: With Arms Wide Open on the SVDP Louisville podcast now.

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NFL Players wear custom cleats to support St. Vincent de Paul USA

NFL Players wear custom cleats to support St. Vincent de Paul USA https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/468550874_17983530059772633_2605517320618693447_n-e1734106474771.jpg 750 1075 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png December 13, 2024 December 13, 2024

NFL Players wear custom cleats to support St. Vincent de Paul USA

During Weeks 13 & 14 of the National Football League games of the 2024 season, NFL players are wearing custom designed cleats in honor of a cause near and dear to their heart. This initiative is through the My Cause My Cleats campaign.

We are grateful for the support of NFL football players Abraham Lucas with the Seattle Seahawks, Jon Runyan with the New York Giants, and Zach Tom with the Green Bay Packers. These spectacular players are taking philanthropy to the next level by wearing custom designed SVdP cleats in honor of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA!

The custom designed SVDP cleats worn this season by NFL player Jon Runyan, Guard for the New York Giants, are open for bidding through December 31st. BID NOW to get your hands on this original pair of shoes: https://givebutter.com/c/svdpusa_runyan

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A Homelessness Agenda for the Incoming Administration

A Homelessness Agenda for the Incoming Administration https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Homelessness-agenda-for-Trump-Administration-by-John-Berry-President-St-Vincent-de-Paul-USA.png 1080 1080 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png December 9, 2024 December 13, 2024

By John Berry, President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA

America is facing a homelessness crisis. In some respects, the issue is politicized (and thus vulnerable to partisan gridlock) — particularly regarding law and order, drug policies, and how best to address inequalities. But here’s the good news: This is a crisis we can solve together.

Recent polling suggests Americans fundamentally agree on both the nature of the crisis and solutions to it. And homelessness prevention policies show great promise in helping those among us who are living on the edge. During the election, there was a great deal of focus on the economy and those who continue to struggle to pay their bills each month. Now, in the spirit of fresh starts with a new administration, here is an agenda offering a unique approach that reflects consensus thinking among the public and can go far towards ending homelessness in America.

Broad Agreement

The National Alliance to End Homelessness conducted a national public opinion poll through Morning Consult at the beginning of June. It found that Americans see eye-to-eye in key respects concerning the causes of homelessness and how it ought to be treated. Survey respondents agreed that:

Homelessness today is driven by economic factors as much as personal ones. In a marked shift from previous polls, about as many people attributed homelessness to economic factors like inflation and rising housing costs as to drug and alcohol abuse or mental illness.
The problem cannot be solved by increased law enforcement or government programs. Over 80% of respondents agreed that more policing will not solve the homelessness crisis; approximately half of those polled also doubted the effectiveness of governmental or federal efforts.
Homelessness is best addressed at the local level. Almost three quarters of those surveyed expressed confidence in the efforts of the homelessness services sector, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to solve homelessness. And 68% of respondents were confident in local efforts — a number that drops to 62% and 55% at the state and national levels, respectively.

More than three-quarters of respondents also agreed with the statement, “homelessness is solvable, but it requires a level of leadership and investments that elected officials are hesitant to make.” The public broadly agrees, in short, that homelessness is a complex crisis demanding coordinated effort—and that the surest way forward is to empower initiatives and services at the local level.

Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

These findings align closely with something my organization, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, has encountered in working with unhoused populations around the country: The people most in need of assistance are often the most reluctant to seek out or accept government assistance. Just consider: How many times have they been marginalized, disqualified, or pushed into some position of humiliating dependence on their way to the street? Little wonder that people who have lost everything might carry skepticism about authorities or be disinclined to jump through bureaucratic hoops!

Instead, effective programs for helping the currently unhoused or the at-risk can only be built on relationships. The state is fundamentally ill-equipped for that sort of person-to-person encounter, which is why nonprofits and voluntary organizations must lead the way.

This is where homelessness prevention programs come in. Prevention programs are flexible and personalized, so they can help to cover rent and pay utilities, procure food or childcare, help with employment searches, and negotiate with landlords. According to a recent study conducted by Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), persons who received an average of $2,000 in emergency financial assistance were “81 percent less likely to become homeless within six months of enrollment and 73 percent less likely within 12 months.” Support goes a long way in fighting homelessness, in other words, when it is individually tailored and personally delivered.

The Way Forward

So, what is to be done? To start, we ask the Trump Administration to include homelessness prevention as part of its economic agenda to improve the lives of Americans who are often forgotten. This includes supporting initiatives at the state and local levels, and using the bully pulpit to show the benefits of working together to addressing the causes of homelessness before it starts.

This is not a plea to turn on a firehose of federal money. Homelessness prevention programs are highly cost effective, particularly in comparison to the status quo. (Just think: the state of California alone has spent $24 billion on homelessness in the past 5 years. That would have covered $2,000 emergency prevention grants to 12 million at-risk people, or about 20 times the number of people currently homeless nationwide!)

But the truth is, we do need many more resources to fight homelessness at the local level, and Americans agree: 71% of survey respondents said that local homelessness prevention lacks resources to make the needed impact. The federal government can help with funding, of course, but it can also encourage giving and facilitate local initiatives among the vast network of private, nonprofit and public organizations that help so many Americans each day. It’s time, in short, to rediscover the great American principle of federalism: the idea that problems can and should be solved at the local level.

John Berry

President, Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA

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SVDP Council Spotlight: Baltimore

SVDP Council Spotlight: Baltimore https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08.jpg 1078 720 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png October 24, 2024 October 24, 2024

As a single mother to a grown, autistic son, Sarah faced a heartbreaking reality.

Sarah had been commuting all the way across town for work. But then, she got divorced and that commute was no longer feasible. Her son couldn’t be left alone that long, so she had to choose between her job and caring for her son.

Unemployed and unable to pay the bills, Sarah and her son were evicted. Suddenly homeless and without support for her son, Sarah was living her worst nightmare.

When a friend told Sarah about St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore, everything changed. SVdP helped them find a new place to live and helped Sarah get a job close to home.

Sarah and her son are just a few of the thousands of people served by SVdP Baltimore each year.

More than 2,500 people are experiencing homelessness in the Baltimore region.

Families and individuals lose their homes for a variety of reasons, from unemployment to illness or soaring utility bills. That is why the Baltimore Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers a wide range of homelessness prevention programs and shelter services. Last year, SVdP Baltimore:

• Operated over 10 programs focused on housing and homeless prevention
• Provided 71,175 emergency shelter nights
• Helped hundreds of families with rapid rehousing, and supportive housing programs

St. Vincent de Paul has a national reach that extends from local Conferences to regional Councils, supported by SVdP USA’s overarching programming. Thanks to the generosity of donors who support our outreach at every level, we provide more than just basic shelter to families in need. Most importantly, through our work, these families are shown the abundant love of Christ.

SVDP USA PROVIDES SUPPORT TO REGIONAL SVDP COUNCILS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, ENSURING LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE EQUIPPED TO CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED. THROUGH CREATIVE PROGRAMMING AND CARING OUTREACH, COUNCILS LIKE SVDP BALTIMORE ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST HOMELESSNESS ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.

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What does the Grants Pass decision mean for SVdP USA?

What does the Grants Pass decision mean for SVdP USA? https://ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11.jpg 1080 720 SVDP USA SVDP USA //ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/svdp-usa-ssvp-int.png October 23, 2024 October 23, 2024

Helping families on the brink of homelessness saint vincent de paul 2 THE RECENT GRANTS PASS U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION ALLOWS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE IT A CRIME FOR SOMEONE TO LIVE OUTSIDE AND UNSHELTERED IF THEY HAVE NO HOME.

This is concerning because criminal laws do not address the actual problem of homelessness — which has more to do with skyrocketing housing costs and inflation than regulating homeless encampments.

Thanks to our generous supporters, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spends over $60 million each year on homelessness prevention programs. Our Vincentians make Home Visits, engaging with landlords and developing personalized assistance plans to help those at risk of losing their homes.

These temporary assistance programs work, and they reduce the economic and social strain of homelessness on our communities.

Most importantly, our programs save lives and restore dignity.

Households that receive just $2,000 in emergency financial assistance are 81% less likely to become homeless. In the wake of the Grants Pass decision, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will continue working to address the root causes of homelessness with positive solutions.

Home Visit Highlight: SVdP Delivers Hope for the Holidays to Long Island Family

Home Visit Highlight: SVdP Delivers Hope for the Holidays to Long Island Family

The Pillar feature: For SVDP, preventing homelessness begins with home visits