OUTREACH
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by World – a 16-18 session program with participants achieving the goals of their choosing with the support of others who provide care and support.
Developing a vision and realizing goals requires knowing the resources available, how to work with those resources and setting realistic goals with a workable plan. It also requires consistent, well-directed effort and support of others. The mentoring team is there to walk beside you but others will be needed as well. Change doesn’t come easy and only you can determine if it will be worth it – to you and those you love.
Quotes from graduates.
“I felt alone at first. It was hard to open up when you don’t trust anybody, but they made me feel comfortable. There are people out there who really want to help.”
“Programs like this are greatly needed in every neighborhood.”
“The getting ahead program gave me knowledge and with a great mentor it made my journey a lot easier.”
Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop – based on the book by Ruby Payne, PhD, Philip DeVol and Terie Dreussi Smith. Understanding poverty means grasping the impact that poverty has on families; the tyranny of the moment, overwhelmed family structures, the lack of living wage jobs, affordable housing, safe childcare, equitable education opportunities, community transportation, available health care. Poverty is the extent to which an individual does without resources; money being only one important resource. Understanding these implications is critical for every social institution in the community. A community that does not take care of its most vulnerable will not be a thriving community.
CAP – Consumer Assistance Program
This program works with families who have an existing high interest loan and family income to repay a new loan at interest that never exceeds 10%.
Predatory lending serves only to assist those who provide the service. NM caps interest at 175%. A $3000 loan, not including any fees, for 12 months at 175% with $543.63 monthly payments costs a total interest of $3523.59; more than the original loan amount.
Twinning
Twinning is a unique collaboration between conferences as well as across the United States, territories, and countries all over the world. The financing of St. Vincent de Paul’s charitable work comes from the donations of the parishioners and many times these donations aren’t sufficient to meet the needs for requested assistance of rent, food, utilities, etc. Luke tells us that to those who are given much, much will be required. This means we are to share any excess we have with others who have need. As we have extra funds, we give them to other conferences so their needs are better met; this is twinning.
“We would not be able to answer so many requests without your monthly collaboration.”
Christmas Wish List
Christmas Wish List is a project involving the parishioners of Risen Savior and Prince of Peace in the purchasing of Christmas gifts for deserving children.
The Friends of the Poor® Walk/Run began as a national program with the purpose of providing local SVdP Conferences and Councils the additional funds to help support their special works projects. The local event is usually held in September; funds are all spent locally and continue the Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World programs.