Vincentians realize that many seeking our help are just like us, but  due to bad luck that any one of us are vulnerable to, they are now in  desperate need of help. A common example is the person who has worked  hard their entire life, providing well for the family, but is now  suddenly disabled and can no longer work. The income is now zero, until  they might qualify for government assistance, but the heating, rent, and  food bills do not stop coming.

Family home visits have always been the fundamental activity of  Vincentians. Our goal is to personally meet the family seeking help,  get to know them and understand their situation, determine the best way  we can help, and remain in contact with the family throughout their  crisis, continuing to help where possible. 

To respect the wishes of those who donate to us to support our  works, we do our best to verify the legitimacy of our clients' claims of  need before providing any financial assistance.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in Paris, France, over  180 years ago, in 1833, by a young French nobleman, Bl. Frederic  Ozanam, to confront his city's devastating poverty. Inspired by his love  of St. Vincent de Paul, a 17th century French priest who had an  untiring commitment to serving the poor, Ozanam's mission was clear -  help the needy on a one-to-one basis and "accomplish through charity  what justice alone cannot do."

On April 23, 1833, challenged  by fellow students at the University of Paris to practice what they  preached, Ozanam and five other like-minded students met with Emmanuel  Bailly in his newspaper office and formed the Conference of Charity.  Starting with just seven members, the conference membership soared to  more than one hundred by the following year. It was Ozanam who believed  that the original conference must divide into more units in order to  better serve the needy. By 1835, the society had its own official rule  and a new official name: The Society of Saint Vincent DePaul. 

              The Society took Saint Vincent de Paul as its patron under  the influence of Sister Rosalie Rendu, DC (Daughter of Charity). Sister  Rosalie (who was beatified in 2004) was a member of the Daughters of  Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, a group of religious women who take vows  to serve the poor and those in need, founded by St. Vincent de Paul and  St. Louise de Marillac in 1633. Sister Rosalie, who was well known for  her work with the most poverty stricken people in the slums of Paris,  guided Blessed Frédéric and his companions in their approach towards  those in need. 

              The Society grew rapidly from the start. There were  already over 2000 members when Frederic Ozanam died in 1853.  Bl.  Frederic was beatified in 1996.