JOHN PAUL AND FRANCIS BRISSETTE GREW UP IN RHODE ISLAND WATCHING THEIR MOM WORK WITH HER LOCAL SVDP COUNCIL. Learning about Blessed Frédéric Ozanam was an inspiration for the brothers.
“Frédéric founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul when he was just a student,” Francis says. “He and his friends ignored people who said young people couldn’t make a difference and they got to work serving the poor.” Motivated by Ozanam’s example, John Paul and Francis helped start “Necessities for Neighbors” through the SVdP Rhode Island Council. Youth volunteers fill bags with essential items like soap and shampoo, and a handwritten note of encouragement. These bags are distributed by Vincentians on their Home Visits to individuals and families in need.
“We saw how SVdP Vincentians throughout America share the same heart for service.”
But the brothers wanted to do more. “We had a unique set of skills to offer SVdP,” John Paul says. “We could help spread their message
more effectively on social media, especially to people of our generation.”
The brothers’ @Franchismo10 account was already well-established on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and their creative videos regularly garnered millions of views. “We partnered with SVdP USA to highlight their work on social media,” Francis explains. “We pretty much lived on a plane for a year and a half, visiting Councils around the country and telling their stories to an online audience.”
The brothers knew they could help SVdP, but they had no idea how much they would learn along the way. “We saw how SVdP Vincentians throughout America share the same heart for service,” John Paul says. “But communities are unique, and it was incredible to see each Council tailoring its activities to meet the specific needs of their neighbors.”
“In Arizona, we helped Vincentians hand out water, something our Conference in Rhode Island doesn’t do,” Francis continues. “But that was a pressing need for that community. In Baltimore, they offer culinary lessons to help people build skills for employment. We saw firsthand how SVdP Councils have the flexibility to do what is necessary for the people they serve.”
Though they’re relatively young, John Paul and Francis are long-time Vincentians — “It was our dream!”— and are working to connect
young people to the organization. John Paul was recently given the SVdP Youth Service award and is Vice Chair of his Conference.
“There is a misconception that today’s youth won’t get involved,” Francis says, “but our generation is passionate about developing creative solutions to meet the needs of those around us. People our age need to be invited to share their time and talents. We can’t write big donation checks, but we can carry boxes of supplies up three flights of stairs!”
“SVdP gave us a reason to serve,” John Paul says. “We saw the face of Christ in all the Vincentians we worked with, and we want to share that opportunity with our peers. Christ calls people of every age to put their faith into action by serving their neighbors in need.”
YOU CAN SEE THE BROTHERS’ VIDEOS ON INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, AND FACEBOOK AT @SVDPUSA AND @SVDPRI.
