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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 1080 720 SVDP USA

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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Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA climbs Forbes’ Top 100 Charities List
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA climbs Forbes’ Top 100 Charities List 1920 1920 SVDP USA

Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA climbs Forbes’ Top 100 Charities List

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA earned a second consecutive appearance on Forbes magazine’s annual list of Top 100 Charities in the United States, climbing to #59 this year from #75 last year.

SVdP USA received a high charitable commitment score of 89% from Forbes, meaning 89% of SVdP’s total expenses have gone where it matters most: directly to servicing people experiencing poverty. Forbes’ annual list serves as a trusted resource for helping readers distinguish which organizations are worthy of their donor dollars.

“This exciting accomplishment is not just for the organization — it’s also for every single donor, supporter, and neighbor we serve in His name,” said National President John Berry. “It’s a testament to the generosity and compassion our nearly 90,000 Vincentian volunteers have put forth to help their communities, the thousands of hours of providing person-to-person service to our neighbors, and the dedication to creating a more just world.”

SVdP USA has been at the forefront of providing personalized support to underserved communities for more than 150 years, and this legacy of service continues to grow with the tireless efforts of its Vincentian volunteers. Last year, the faith-based organization served more than 5 million people through a variety of its programs including food pantries, shelters, homelessness prevention initiatives such as rent and utility assistance, Home Visits, and more.

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SVDP Council Spotlight: Baltimore
SVDP Council Spotlight: Baltimore 1078 720 SVDP USA

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.

Helping families on the brink of homelessness saint vincent de paul 2
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What does the Grants Pass decision mean for SVdP USA?
What does the Grants Pass decision mean for SVdP USA? 1080 720 SVDP USA

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

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Vincentian Spotlight: Jim Dodd
Vincentian Spotlight: Jim Dodd 1200 1200 SVDP USA

FEW WEEKS BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT, JIM DODD SAW AN INTERVIEW ON TV THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE. It was the executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati discussing hunger and poverty at Thanksgiving.

His eyes still well up as he recounts the moment he comprehended the suffering of people within his own community. “When you encounter situational poverty, you learn quickly that but for the grace of God it could be me in their shoes,” he says. “The loss of a job . . . a health emergency . . . things like that happen all the time.”

Jim made a gift and started working in the food pantry. Shortly thereafter he became a Vincentian.

Seventeen years later, his understanding of the ministry has changed. “Like many Vincentians, I started out just wanting to help people,” he says. “But soon I figured out that it was actually helping me grow spiritually.”

That spiritual growth stems from loving one’s neighbor. “As a Vincentian, we strive to see the face of Christ in those we visit. Well, sometimes that’s a hard thing to do!” Jim says. But the encounter must not become “transactional.” Jim recounts stories of helping a woman re-draw her mortgage to stave off foreclosure, and of working with a mother who’d become homeless with her three daughters to find stable housing and support.

The problem of poverty isn’t going away, Jim admits. But by supporting SVdP’s future efforts through legacy giving, Vincentians can ensure that struggling neighbors will receive the personal support they need.

IN RECENT YEARS, DODD HAS SERVED AS TREASURER OF THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION, PUTTING HIS PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE INTO HELPING SVDP BUILD A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY PROGRAM — A WAY FOR VINCENTIANS TO INCREASE THEIR RETIREMENT INCOMES AND LEAVE A LEGACY GIFT THAT SUSTAINS AND GROWS THE MINISTRY OF SVDP.

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09-12-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders
09-12-24 A Letter From Our Servant Leaders 1200 1200 SVDP USA

Our Vincentian Reality

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to serve as your new National CEO. I look forward to growing with you spiritually, in friendship, and in service to our neighbors in need!

I thank John Berry and the National Board of Directors for blessing me with this opportunity. I also want to recognize Dave Barringer for his 11 years of dedicated leadership to our Society.

As Vincentians, our focus on spirituality is what I find so inspiring. Each and every one of us is on a spiritual journey of our own, and we’re all at different stages. As Vincentians, we embrace the Beatitudes, just as when Christ said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 5:3]

We all understand that we need to have a spirit of poverty in relation to our spiritual growth. We all know that the more we grow spiritually, the more we realize that we need to grow. I remember St. Mother Teresa talking about how much she needed to grow spiritually. If St. Mother Teresa needed to grow, we all need to grow!

It can be very challenging in trying to be more Christ-like because we are so imperfect. Sometimes as we get older, we find it harder to measure growth than when we were younger.

It may be harder for us to see our growth, but our Vincentian friends and those we are blessed to serve, not only see our growth, but are inspired by it! Think about your own spiritual growth, and recognize how far you’ve come, and how much opportunity we all have to grow beyond any of our expectations.

The future is in front of our Society! Nothing is holding us back because we have the Holy Spirit behind us. Our Vision SVDP initiative allows each of us throughout the country to listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us about what our Vincentian family can become. It’s not about me or you. It is about all of us!

Yes, we are called to see the face of Christ in those we are blessed to serve, but we are also called to be Christ’s voice in today’s world. Our Vincentian family is coming together in a remarkable way to face the future and to embrace our call to define what the future can be.

When we look at the world today, we see a reality that is hard to understand — division, hatred, conflict, and so many other negative things.

As Vincentians, we are called to leave this world behind, and to embrace our Vincentian Reality. A reality that is built on Christ’s commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” [John 13:34]

We can only be successful in our mission, if we take on the challenge of adapting to the changing world with great vigor and enthusiasm. Let me ask you, “What problem in our country and in our world cannot be solved by loving one another?”

I am honored to embrace our Vincentian call to love one another with you. The world is counting on us to see the face of Christ, and to make Christ’s Love come to life for our neighbors in need!

Best wishes in Christ,
Michael

Michael Acaldo
Incoming National CEO

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SVdP National President Featured in National Catholic Register
SVdP National President Featured in National Catholic Register 398 398 SVDP USA

“To address the homelessness crisis, we must encounter those on the brink.” So writes SVdP National President John Berry, in his latest op-ed for the National Catholic Register.

Here’s an excerpt:

“To understand why prevention programs are so critically needed, we must first understand why so many people are becoming homeless. According to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, the number of Americans experiencing homelessness has risen almost 50% over the past eight years. 12 million people are “severely cost-burdened,” and thus at risk of becoming homeless themselves. That massive increase can’t be attributed to drugs or mental illness (even if those ills affect the most visibly homeless). Instead, its main drivers are brute economic factors like skyrocketing housing costs and inflation. “A great river of poverty is traversing our cities and swelling to the point of overflowing,” Pope Francis said in his 2023 message for the World Day of the Poor. “It seems to overwhelm us, so great are the needs of our brothers and sisters who plead for our help, support and solidarity.””

Click here to read John’s full article.

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Michael Acaldo to Helm the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA as Next Chief Executive Officer
Michael Acaldo to Helm the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA as Next Chief Executive Officer 1080 1080 SVDP USA

After an extensive nationwide search led by executive search firm BoardWalk Consulting, we are proud to announce that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) has chosen its next National CEO from our own SVdP USA family.

Michael Acaldo, the CEO of the SVdP Diocesan Council of Baton Rouge, will become our new CEO of the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, effective October 1.

A native of Baton Rouge, Michael has been a member of the Vincentian Family since 1990. He received both his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and his Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University.

In his tenure in Baton Rouge, Michael has led that St. Vincent de Paul Council to incredible growth. In 1991, he oversaw the founding of the Bishop Ott Shelter Program, which has since grown to five emergency shelters serving men, women, children, and families, and which provided more than 31,000 guest nights of shelter in 2023. In 1995, he helped establish the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, the first SVdP Charitable Pharmacy in the nation. The Baton Rouge St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room served over 300,000 meals to neighbors in need in 2023. And if that weren’t enough, he’s also the creator, host, and executive producer of the SVdP Beacons of Light television show, which has been on the air since 2006.

Michael is well respected within the Society, and within the larger Catholic community. He has received various honors for his work with the Society in Baton Rouge, including receiving the Benemerenti Medal from Pope John Paul II in 2002 for service to the Catholic Church; serving as a John W. Barton, Sr. Fellow for excellence in community nonprofit leadership, also in 2002; being inducted into the Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 2009; and receiving the inaugural St. Joseph’s Cathedral Community Award in 2013.

Of his new role, Michael had this to say: “I feel so blessed and honored to be chosen for this leadership position during such an exciting time in our Society’s history. Our National Board’s launching of VisionSVdP focuses on listening to every voice in our Vincentian Family, which is so powerful! I believe that the Holy Spirit will speak through Vincentians around the country, and provide a roadmap for our bright future. Plus, I cannot wait to join our talented and dedicated National Staff in St. Louis.”

National President John Berry notes, “This is a great day for the Society. Michael has been a friend and a colleague for almost 20 years and I can say without hesitation that he is an amazing leader, a consummate professional, and the kind of visionary that the Society needs to help take us into the future. Michael has a deep commitment to the essential elements of spirituality, service, and friendship. The Board of Directors and I look forward to working with Michael.”

Michael and Paula, his wife of 32 years, are the proud parents of adult twin daughters. They are thrilled and looking forward to the arrival of their first grandchild this November.

SVdP’s National CEO search was overseen by a committee of eight current and former Board members from across the country, and the search encompassed sources and prospects from at least 28 states and the District of Columbia. The committee was advised throughout by BoardWalk Consulting, an executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of CEOs for nonprofits and foundations.

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John Berry: How Can We Help Families on the Brink of Homelessness?
John Berry: How Can We Help Families on the Brink of Homelessness? 1080 1080 SVDP USA

Helping families on the brink of homelessness saint vincent de paulThe Supreme Court’s ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson calls fresh attention to the nation’s homelessness crisis. In its decision, released last week, the Court ruled that local ordinances with civil and criminal penalties for camping homeless on public land do not violate the Eighth Amendment’s protections from cruel and unusual punishment.

But neither the use of legal force to clear homeless encampments nor the adoption of a permissive attitude towards them will move the needle for the millions of Americans living on the brink of homelessness. If anything, viewing the issue in terms of criminality serves to obscure the underlying causes of why people become homeless.

When you see someone sleeping on a park bench or begging on the street, your mind likely gravitates towards a simple explanation: Drugs. Alcoholism. Untreated mental illness. Shiftlessness. A life of crime. The impulse is understandable. We want to make sense of the world—to be able trace effects back to commensurate causes. To reassure ourselves that nothing so terrible will ever happen to us.

But reducing homelessness to addiction and mental illness fundamentally misunderstands the problem. Yes, many of the most visibly homeless—those camped out in public—are in the throes of mental illness or substance abuse. But they aren’t representative of most people struggling to avoid homelessness today.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the charitable organization I lead, works alongside the poor and marginalized in over 1,000 cities across America. Many of the people we work with are facing eviction or have nowhere to stay. And do you know the demographic profile typical of those on the brink of homelessness?

Single-parent families. Or, more precisely, “a single custodial adult raising minor aged children.” Not a drug-crazed criminal or a shiftless welfare bum. It’s men and women trying desperately to juggle child care with keeping a roof overhead.

Many such people at risk of homelessness today would have been, in simpler times, “the working poor.” But as families and communities have broken down, the burden of providing has shifted onto frailer, lonelier shoulders. And as inflation continues to wreak havoc on families’ budgets, more and more single-parent families stand on the brink of homelessness. One car wreck, hospital stay, or layoff can dislodge a family from a home and put them out on the streets.

Now, do these people come with flaws and baggage? Of course they do! Broken relationships, trauma, illness, substance abuse—you can find the full assortment of failings, bad luck, disaster, and wounds. But recognizing sources of suffering doesn’t allow us to sweep it dismissively under the rug.

Consider two examples drawn from homelessness prevention programs in mid-sized U.S. cities.

Eric heads a family of five, whose lives were upended when their landlord told them he “wanted to move in a different direction” and gave them 30 days to move out. In a hot real estate market, Eric couldn’t find a new place quickly enough. So his family started bouncing between hotels and sleeping in his truck, trying to make it through while saving enough for a security deposit on a new home.

Elena is 29 years old, the single mother of an eight-year-old son. Both her parents were addicts, and she’s struggled her whole life with severe ADHD and anxiety. The father of her son is abusive, and Elena’s landlord refused to renew her lease after she called the police during an incident when the father attacked and beat her. When she was hospitalized with heart troubles shortly thereafter, she lost her job, too.

The stakes are incredibly high for families like Elena’s and Eric’s. Studies show that living unhoused or at risk of homelessness leads to heightened levels of stress, hunger, sleeplessness, lack of safety, and illness. For children, it means delayed early development, reduced school attendance, and increased risks of behavioral, academic, or psychiatric disorders.

In short, “brink of homelessness” is a recipe for long-term, multi-generational disaster. That’s why homelessness prevention programs are such a good long-term investment for communities to make.

When you work with the unhoused, you quickly realize that there are a million different paths to becoming homeless—and thus no ready-made solution for it. “Tough love” or more stringent law-and-order policies aren’t what most of these families need.

Nor is it sufficient to just place homeless or at-risk families in new housing. Families like Elena’s and Eric’s need support as well as a roof overhead. That support can include everything from assistance with transportation and child care to job searches, mental health counseling, financial literacy, parenting skills, addiction recovery, and health care.

Homelessness prevention programs can succeed insofar as they are personal and flexible. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for single parents or grandparents struggling to stay afloat when a crisis hits. They might need help finding a job or repairing a car. They might need child care or a trip to the doctor’s office. They might need help paying a utility bill or working with a landlord to keep eviction off the table.

But solutions can be found. And they save lives. But we must look through a lens of compassion, not criminalization, to see what’s possible—and to see who most needs our help in avoiding homelessness today.

 

Read John’s original piece in Newsweek.

John Berry is the President of the National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul—a 90,000 member faith-based volunteer organization that provides support to people in need at over 4,000 locations in the United States. 

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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Grant’s Pass Vs. Gloria Johnson
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Grant’s Pass Vs. Gloria Johnson 552 552 SVDP USA

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul expresses concern regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. By ruling in favor of the plaintiff, the Supreme Court has signaled that local governments can make it a crime for someone to live outside and unsheltered if they have no home.

“Reasonable people may and will disagree about this decision, but the fact of the matter is it doesn’t get to the heart of the homelessness crisis,” said John Berry, National President at Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “Neither stricter nor more lenient criminal laws sufficiently address the problem — which has vastly more to do with skyrocketing housing costs and inflation than it has to do with how local governments regulate homeless encampments.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul currently maintains a network for homeless prevention through rent assistance with an outlay of over $60 million. These programs typically involve home visits, personalized resources, engagement with landlords, crafting a “Stability Plan,” and financial assistance in making rent and paying utilities. These programs usually work alongside local governments, putting homelessness prevention ahead of policing in addressing the roots of homelessness.

“These temporary assistance programs work — and produce long-lasting effects while reducing the economic and social strain of homelessness on cities, towns, and counties,” said Berry. “But more than dollars, homelessness prevention programs like ours save lives and dignity. While City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson helps call attention to the severity of our homelessness crisis, we must work together to restore stability and dignity to neighbors living on the edge of homelessness.”

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.” In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will continue unabated to pursue positive outcomes like these across the country.

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