St. Vincent de Paul Society

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization of lay people reaching out to the poor. We have over 1,000 volunteers in North Georgia helping people in their time or crisis providing housing, food, clothing, furniture, medications, transportation, visitation, education, compassion and understanding. You can help by, becoming a member of your local conference; volunteering your time for projects; giving to your local conference collection; donating worn clothing, furniture, cars, household items; praying for other volunteers. If you want to make a donation of clothing, household goods, furniture etc. please place them in the St. Vincent de Paul collection box in the back parking lot of St. Monica's or take them to our Thrift Store at 1433 Buford Highway, Buford GA 30518 (loated between the Walgreen's and the NAPA Auto Parts Store at the intersection of Buford Highway (Hwy 23) and Buford Drive (Hwy 20).
Phone number: 770-271-1764.

DIRECT AID - Case Work

"No act of Charity is foreign to the Society"

Any bonafide request for assistance, including help with utilities, medical, rent food, transportation, burial and more. Most of this assistance is direct aid toward one time requests. In 2001 SVdP Vincentians assisted over 165 Families in the Duluth & Suwanee areas. TEAM LEADER: Maria Smith

THE LEARNING CENTER:

"Give a man a fish and he will eat that day,

Teach a man to fish and you will feed him for life." Educational services are the fastest growing component of the Society's ministry. At St. Monicas we are presently offering budget planning classes for clients we have met through case work. We hope to get computer proficiency classes on line in the next year and have plans to have ESOL. All services are free and all teaching, training and volunteers do mentoring. TEAM LEADER: Frank Pazera

THE CLOTHES LINE:

In partnership with Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) and Sears, the Society prepares and distributes new children's clothes to local and international nonprofit agencies that serve children and families. In 2000 more than 54000 lbs. of new clothes were processed and distributed. St Monicas hosted 3 distributions in 2001 serving 207 children. It is planned to continue this program at the parish level. TEAM LEADER: Stephanie Johnson

THE ANGEL GIVING TREE:

St Monica's has sponsored a giving tree for many years. This SVdP event is a great way for the entire parish to assist the Society with our works of Charity. In 2001 we were able to provide gifts for 85 families. TEAM LEADER: Charlotte McEwen Angeltree@saintmonicas.com

A.I.M. Assisting Independent Mothers

Project AIM was born at St. Monincas in 2001 and has big aims for the coming year. There is a need for temporary intervention in our county. A house will be purchased or rented for temporary housing for mothers in crisis. The plan is to provide housing for 3 or 4 mothers and their children. SVdP will help the family with food, clothing, job hunting, job skills, budgeting, whatever it take to get the family back in a positive position. TEAM LEADER: Vickie McBride

ELDERLY VISITS:

Saturday morning has been set aside to visit the elderly living in assisted care facilities in Duluth. Vincentians provide coffee, juice and light snack and companionship to the elderly. Please feel free to join us. TEAM LEADERS: Andy & Gayle Curtin

MENTORING:

This program will take some of clients that we meet through casework and work with them on a one to one basis. Many times lack of funds is only the symptom of the problem our client may be experiencing. TEAM LEADER: Open

TO VOLUNTEER:

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Society. Without volunteers the Society would not be able to offer the wide range of services or reach as many people as it does. For information on how you can contribute your time and talents please join us at our monthly meetings.

DIRECT GIVING

The major source of the Society's funding is individuals' financial gifts. These contributions made throughout the year or in response to specific campaigns make it possible of the Society to provide aid day after day, year after year. Many of your employers will match your contributions. Please check our list for your employer and if your employer in not on it ask them if they would be willing to help you assist the Society. 90% of the Society's revenue goes directly to support the services the Society provides to those in need. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a 503( c ) tax-exempt charity.

WHEEL APPEAL

The proceeds from the sale of donated cars, truck and recreational vehicles are used to help fund the Society programs. TEAM LEADER: Dolph Ward Goldenburg Council Office (770)458-2877

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

By participating in the Atlanta Food Bank's annual Hunger Walk or using Kroger Commitment Cards & Gift Certificates you can support the many services of the Society.

We invite you to join us at one of our meetings. They are usually the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the education building.

For more information: Phone: 678-584-9947 Email: svdp@saintmonicas.com. Visit our website at: www.svdpatl.org