Stories of Hope
SVdP’s GED Program Makes College Possible
Terrence Curry has passed the complete GED test and will now attend Fort Valley College on a soccer scholarship. This amazing kid grew up in Puerto Rico and came to live with his dad here, in Atlanta. Because of the differences in educational systems, Terrence never thought he would be able to attend a university. He found the Learning Center at SVdP and worked hard studying for the GED. With his dad’s support and is conscientious work, he is now living his dream.
Nora has been part of our GED program since May 2009. She is a domestic violence survivor and came to SVdP for GED classes via her shelter referral. A single mother who has worked hard and just passed her GED, she is scheduled to begin classes at Georgia State University. SVdP has been working with an admissions counselor and Nora will begin taking classes to become a nurse. Also, SVdP was able to help her fulfill her residency requirements by connecting her with the Latin American Association.
Nora is so excited because now she will be able to work, support her son and give him a much better future. A legal resident, Nora is now on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a U.S. Citizen! She has had a tough road but she has never wavered in her faith that God will provide the correct path and she only needs to follow it and work hard. It has been a pleasure to working with Nora. She and her 2-year old son have a bright future ahead.
A Special Birthday
Gail was referred to St. Vincent de Paul Family Support Center by the All Saints Conference to receive assistance with Food, clothing, and household items. A very pretty Latino mother of three children, she was very nervous and uneasy as she sat at the caseworker’s desk. The SVdP caseworker asked how everything was going.
“I have no food to feed my family and no money to buy things we need because my work visa has expired,” she answered. She asked if her personal information would be protected and was assured all client information is confidential and she was in safe hands. The SVdP caseworker gave her an immigrant legalization packet from Catholic Charities and told her to read through the information carefully. The SVdP caseworker told her that they would protect her and help her if she followed the directions in the packet. Then The SVdP caseworker told Gail that SVdP can also help her with direct assistance to make it through the week.
As The SVdP caseworker took her shopping, Gail was very anxious, yet excited at all the food she qualified to receive. She began to open up and shared her desire to celebrate her daughter’s birthday with a family party, but not only did she not have food for it, she wouldn’t be able to give her a birthday present, either. As we continued to shop she became more and more excited because she realized SVdP was supplying the food she needed to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. The SVdP caseworker remembered some cakes in from Kroger stored in the freezer and showed them to her. When Gail saw the beautiful large cake with pretty rainbow colors on it, she began to cry tears of joy.
After shopping for food in the Food Pantry, the SVdP caseworker took her to warehouse for household items and clothing. The SVdP caseworker offered her one of the bicycles from the warehouse. Gail began to jump with excitement. She was so overwhelmed she could hardly think, so she asked the SVdP caseworker to pick out the bike that would be best for her five-year-old daughter. The SVdP caseworker picked out a pretty pink bike with training wheels because her daughter had never ridden a bike before.
Gail was very grateful to the St. Vincent de Paul Family Support Center for the referrals, food, clothing, and household goods provided. But she was most thankful for the birthday celebration she would be able to give her daughter. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to working hard to make a difference in people’s lives, like in the case of Gail. After all, birthdays are special…especially to a child.
Fresh Start
Carol contacted the Mary Our Queen Conference of SVdP seeking help to pay her past due rent. A single mother, she had fallen behind when she lost her job. The conference told her about the Fresh Start Program that SVdP is administering through partnership with the United Way.
Carol provided the necessary documents and her Fresh Start application is being processed. When landlord receives confirmation that Fresh Start has committed to provide 80% of the funds needed to bring her past due rent current as of the beginning of this month, the Mary Our Queen Conference of SVdP will provide $200 and Carol has committed to pay the remaining balance. She has worked out payment arrangements with the apartment complex for June’s rent and has found full time employment.
Baby and Bills Create Bump in the Road 
Betsy, 7 months pregnant and not working, was running her own cleaning business but the fumes were making her sick. Her doctor ordered her to bed-rest. Her husband was working, but not making much. They had an automobile accident which caused them to lose their car.
She contacted St. Vincent de Paul for help with food and bills. They’d had a mix up with the billing and were behind with payments and just two months until the baby was due.
The SVdP caseworker scheduled a home visit to ascertain the situation. The caseworkers learned that they needed help with rent, water and electric bills. They brought her food and arranged assistance for the other bills.
After the baby is born, Betsy will go back to work. Her sister owns a daycare center where the baby will be able to go. Betsy, a freshman at GA State, plans to go back to school, too. They just needed a little to get past a bumpy place in the road caused by the car wreck and the impending birth of their baby. The help they received from SVdP will put them back on track to a successful future.
Success with Determination and a Little Help
Shannon has recently lost job and needed of rental assistance. She conference. When Shannon left a message she explained that she received an eviction notice. She can ask her father for money but will need entire rent amount immediately. She needs transportation so she can look for a new job. She said she would appreciate any help SVdP can give her. The caseworker called Shannon and was told the next month’s rent covered, she had filed for unemployment and food stamps, but she was still 2 months behind on her car payment.
Shannon explained she had interviews lined up for a new job. She was optimistic with a great attitude, and was willing to take any job available.
The caseworker called Shannon back with the time for the home visit. During the visit Shannon requested aid for car payment. She explained she was interviewing for second time with two different companies. Although she feels she is over qualified for the jobs, she is desperate to get something.
Although Shannon was doing everything she could to find employment, the caseworker suggested she may need to move to a less expensive apartment to improve her finances. She needed to reduce her budget costs. Shannon thought that was a good possibility. Shannon had contacted other agencies and was able to get help with her phone and utility bills.
Shannon called the caseworker and said she was going for a final interview with one of the companies. It was a great interview. She got the job, although it’s part time, she hopes it will become fulltime, soon. The caseworker provided on a gas card and Kroger vouchers along with a SVdP food voucher. Shannon was very grateful. She had started looking to get a cheaper apartment that will include utilities. She has a great attitude and plans to let the rent go this month and pay the car note because she must have the car to get to work.
Shannon continued to work, met with her landlord to try and buy more time and hold-off the late fees and looked for a less expensive place to live. She was in good spirits and had appointments with other agencies to get assistance with her rent and electric bills. Shannon was offered a fulltime position, is looking for a new place and is hopeful for the future.
Another SVdP Transformation
Recently the St. Louise de Marillac Conference in Dallas, Georgia had the pleasure of providing a car to a client. The client, a student from Africa studying at the Paulding campus of Chattahoochee Technical Institute, currently works at a day care center. She needed the car to become independent of friends who have kindly provided her transportation to school and work and everywhere else she needed to go. Sofia shared the expense of obtaining the vehicle by paying for her driver’s license, her insurance and her vehicle registration. With the added freedom a car will provide, Sofia sees a bright future ahead of her.
St. Vincent de Paul accepts donations of cars, trucks, boats…anything that moves. Our best resource to solicit donations is our Conferences in the local parishes. When a car is donated at a conference, the paperwork is handled by the SVdP Transportation Program Manager at the Conference Support Center. She will assist in the process of matching the car to a client or in selling the car so that funds can be used for programs.
The procedures and forms are available at http://www.svdpatl.org/what-we-do/transportation-assistance-programs/, call 678-892-6168, or e-mail: cars@svdpatl.org
It’s just a car; it’s transportation; it’s TRANSFORMATION!
Standing on Her Own
When our SVdP caseworker first called, Missy was working so she asked him to call her boyfriend, Rex. He had only been working 1 or 2 days a week and a cousin had helped them pay some of their bills.
The caseworker set up a time to visit and learned that both individuals worked part time with very minimal income; not enough to support rent, food and utility bills. There was no furniture in their apartment. The couple had been sleeping on the floor for 4 months. They needed help with food, automobile repairs, electric bill and gasoline. The caseworker took them to Food Pantry and gave them emergency food, a Kroger gift certificate and Thrift Store voucher for furniture, including a bed from the Sweet Dreams Bed Program.
The discussion turned to future possibilities and the caseworker learned that Missy needed just four months of college to complete her degree. He urged her graduate so she could get better job. After offering to assist with their electric bill, the caseworker gave her coupons for four more visits to the Food Pantry.
Missy continued to look for a second job to help support her household. She made some payments and attempted to
re-instate herself in school to complete her degree program. Rex still wasn’t getting enough hours to make any reasonable income.
SVdP caseworkers took them two gas cards and counseled them extensively. But Rex became more combative and insisted Missy must move out or he’d throw her out on the street. SVdP thought they might have to move her into a motel for temporary stay. Their only car belongs to Rex and not living with him and makes transportation to work impossible for her. The caseworkers thought she was in danger of physical harm because she alleged that Rex constantly beat her physically, insisting she should go sell her body to make money for them. SVdP was doing all we could to keep her safe and ensure she didn’t lose the new job.
We discovered Missy was the defendant in an existing domestic violence case. She has been on probation with mandated Psycho Evaluation and treatment, plus 40 hours of community service. It was the fear of being returned to jail that kept her bound to Rex in the abusive relationship because he was helping her to pay Counseling fees. Desperate, she asked for help with the Counseling payment and the Fine plus court fees, so she could be free of Rex.
Missy finally moved out of the unit and is temporarily staying with a friend. The friend helps her with food and lodging. SVdP paid her Counseling fees. She works part time at a fast food restaurant.
Missy is waiting to hear if she has been approved to receive subsidized rent. SVdP told her we can help her furnish her new apartment. She’s looking for a second job, but transportation is a problem. She’s hoping a car will become available through the SVdP Wheel Appeal Program. With the ability to drive to work, she might be able to get a better job and eventually return to college to complete her degree.
MORE THAN A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS
Rebecca’s Story
Rebecca recently left the father of her child due to an abusive situation. She recently had surgery for an ectopic pregnancy and will not be able to work for two weeks. This has caused her to be unable to pay her rent. She works at a local chicken restaurant. It was suggested that she should go through DFACS but due to her surgery she was unable to drive for at least a week. After listening to her situation, SVdP helped her cover her rent until she could go back to work.
Teddy’s Story
Teddy has cancer and cannot work. He applied for disability benefits and was waiting for the response. His wife, Vera, had been working full-time with extra pay due to overtime, but due to Teddy’s surgeries, she had to cut back to part-time. She hopes to be back full-time soon.
It’s difficult enough dealing with the issues of fighting Cancer; their landlord that wanted the rent, regardless. The added stress was nearly more than they could bear.
After their home visit by a SVdP caseworker, he felt like someone really cared. The SVdP Conference was able to help with rent and with some food supplies. With restored hope, Teddy’s health is the only worry they have, for now.
PAYING FOR POWER IS A CHALLENGE
Bill’s Story 
Bill, a disabled veteran, recently moved into another house and had to spend money to put a new roof on it. He still owes money for the electricity bill from his old apartment and the power company threatened to cut off the power to his current home, if the old bill was not paid. Bill collects Veterans’ and SSI Disability benefits. He fell behind in his bills when he had to put a new roof on the house.
After a home visit, SVdP was able to assist Teddy with his power bill and connect him to the pharmacy program so he would have help pay for his medication. This will free up some of his funds to help with other needs.
Patti’s Story
Patti is a single mother of a three-year-old son. She asked for assistance with her power bill. She is currently unemployed. She was terminated as a full-time cashier at large discount store and feels she was fired to help the store cut back on full-time employees. She had been receiving health insurance and other benefits as a full-time employee. When she lost her job, she went on unemployment. She is sought employment with the County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher. Although Patti receives some assistance from her mother and her son’s father, she still was not able to pay her bills.
After the SVdP caseworkers made a home visit, they were able to pay Patti’s outstanding power bills, help with rent and direct her to the SVdP Food Pantry to help with her food needs.
Restored Hope for Robbie
Robbie had a regular job working for a catering company on the weekends. In better economic times, he would have been doing fine. But there weren’t as many events to work and the events he did work weren’t nearly as big or extravagant as they had been. He had difficulty finding other jobs because he wanted his weekends free to keep the catering job.
When his rent was going to be due, he asked a friend if he knew of anywhere he might find some assistance. His friend suggested talking to one of the local churches, so Robbie called them. The church referred him to the St. Vincent de Paul client assistance line.
Robbie called and left a message. He didn’t really expect to hear back. He was really surprised when he received a call the next day. The man on the phone made an appointment with him and said Robbie didn’t have to go into an office anywhere. They would come to his home.
The Vincentians arrived and sat with Robbie to discuss his situation. Robbie said he wasn’t behind on his bills yet, but he knew he would not be able to pay the upcoming rent payment. The Vincentians listened attentively to Robbie. He was in a tough spot. All he needed was little help.
The Vincentians left and assured Robbie they’d be in touch soon. Robbie thanked them for responding so quickly and repeated that he was really surprised at how quickly they had responded.
After reviewing Robbie’s situation, they were able to assist him with his rent and also paid for his car insurance. They put him in touch with a job network so he could look for a weekday job which would give him his weekends free to work in the catering business.
Robbie is looking for another job and feels with his new support and job possibilities; he’ll be able to handle his future rent and insurance on his own.
Give a Day, Get a Disney Day
St Vincent de Paul received an overwhelming response to the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day promotion.
We got more than 300 e-mails indicating desire to participate or SVdP. As many folks as possible were placed in volunteer jobs at the Conference Support Center and Thrift Store. Others held Micro Food drives and reached the targeted amount of food to receive credit for their volunteer efforts.
Because of the Micro Food Drives, SVdP added nearly 500 pounds or nearly 1000 cans of food and hundreds of new friends. Their efforts helped SVdP to feed more people.
Some of the people who volunteered indicated a desire to come back and work again. We are grateful for their contributions and hope they a have wonderful time on the Disney Day they earned by volunteering at SVdP!
Transportation Transformation Leads to Success
Kyle was employed in job he could easily reach because it was located on a public transportation line. When he was laid off, Kyle had a great deal of difficulty finding another job due to lack of transportation.
He heard about the St. Vincent de Paul car donation program, Wheel Appeal, and contacted his local Conference. At about the same time, SVdP received a donation from the family of a woman who had died. She left the family a big, clean car with fairly low mileage. They wanted to donate the car.
The conference was able to connect Kyle with a donated car. Although living in Gwinnett County, his new transportation enabled him to secure a new job in Marietta. Kyle has been very successful in his new position and has since been able to purchase another car.
Rent Assistance Gives Peace of Mind
Adele’s works at a local department store but they have cut her hours and she was struggling to [ay her rent. Her son had recently moved in with her due to his recent divorce. He began working a new job but was very emotionally fragile. Adele was at risk of being evicted if she didn’t pay her rent and she didn’t know where she and her son would live. The landlord also wanted her to pay late fees. She contacted her local St. Vincent de Paul.
When the Vincentians came to her home to visit, they could she Adele and her son where in a precarious situation. Her son was very depressed, distraught and became agitated. He decided to take a walk to try to control his feelings. Adele shared how concerned she was about his mental state.
They Vincentians gave her the list of places to contact for additional help and suggest she talk with her pastor for guidance and support. They also stopped at the Rental Office in hopes convincing management to waive the late fees. SVdP was able to offer Adele funding toward her rent. She called to inform us she had just admitted her son to the hospital. She was able to obtain some of the needed rent money and if SVdP could get our check over to the Rental Office by 5:00p.m., she could avoid the late fee and eviction, SVdP was able to drop off the check. The Vincentians are following up with Adele and assisting her with food as needed.
Now Adele can focus her energy on helping her son cope with his troubles and when he is released from the hospital, he’ll be able to return to his mother’s home.
Dressing for Success
Mary Ellen Smith has been unemployed for about 4 months. After meeting with caseworkers at the St. Vincent de Paul Conference Support System, she received a list of upcoming job fairs in the Atlanta area. But, she needed clothing to wear to the job fair, and several more outfits to wear to interviews.
With a voucher in hand, she went to the Chamblee Thrift Store and was able to find three outfits she liked. All of the volunteers agreed – the smile on her face when she left the store affirmed the value of the service SVdP provides to those in need.
A Place to Call Home
For six months Joanne and her children had been living in St. Michael’s House, transitional living facility sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul conference at St. Michael’s parish in Woodstock which provides housing for homeless women and their children 12 years of age and younger. Also, they offer assistance with food, clothing and other basic living needs. They pair clients with mentors who have various backgrounds and will help participants learn life-skills, to help with their life-changing journey.
After working and saving, Joanne finally had enough money to move herself and her two children to their own apartment. But, she no extra funds to provide furnishings. Her caseworker obtained a new bed for her through the SVdP Sweet Dreams Bed Program, and other household furnishing through the Conference Support Center, SVdP Thrift Store and the generosity of some local members. Now Joanne and her family are living on-their-own, with renewed hope for better days to come.
Collaboration for the Children
St. Vincent de Paul Society partners with many other local agencies. This collaboration allows SVdP to provide help to other agencies if our resources meet their needs and helps us obtain services for clients we may not provide. Recently, two of our volunteers helped gather a box of children’s books and took them to The Elaine Clark Center for Exceptional Children. The center helps Special Needs children whose conditions, such as Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy, among others, make traditional school settings impractical.
Our volunteers have become experts at finding resources; they feel the need to share with other agencies whose missions are similar to our own.
SVdP Graduates First 2010 GED Student
Milly, a single mother of a 10 year old boy, came to SVdP to work on her GED. Working a in a low paying job, she just couldn’t seem to get ahead.
She enrolled in the SVdP Learning Center GED courses and has completed the program. Recently she took the GED Exam and passed all parts of the test. She had now received her diploma. Milly is the first SVdP student to complete the SVdP program and receive the diploma.
Excited about her future, she plans to attend college for nursing. Also, Milly received a $500 Hope Scholarship.
The SVdP Learning Center has truly given hope, as well as, help in Milly’s situation!
Every Little Bit Helps
Sammy first came to St. Vincent de Paul while recovering from an injury that made it impossible for him to perform his duties on his current job. He was healing nicely and could participate in light duty work, so Labor Guys placed him with SVdP.
Sammy was a great worker and did an excellent job at the Conference Support Center. The staff at SVdP came to rely on his willingness to get things done. He seemed to have a special heart for the kind of work SVdP does.
Soon, Sammy was released by the company, but continued to have some nagging back problems. He has not returned to work and is still receiving unemployment benefits. He promised to come back and volunteer in the CSC Food Pantry. We knew we’d miss him, but we didn’t realize how much he would miss being here. After a few weeks, Sammy came to SVdP to volunteer. He just couldn’t walk away completely from the work he’d grown to love. Of course, SVdP welcomed his service with open arms.
As much as the staff at SVdP liked Sammy and knew his work ethic, they were very surprised when Sammy came to volunteer and said he wanted to make a donation. He gave out of his meager budget, because he knew he could make a difference by donating to SVdP. I was a modest amount, $30, in cash and we were grateful.
The next month, Sammy came in again and this time he donated $100! Again, we were so grateful. Even though making ends meet is sometimes a struggle for him, he wanted to share some of his funds.
“I just couldn’t turn my back on the work SVdP does to help the needy. Every little bit helps!” said Sammy.
DDET A Home Visit Makes a Difference
Kira, a mother of two children ages 16 and 15, worked as a welder for a local industry, building car parts, until she was laid off in March of 2009. She worked there for 13 years.
Kira was blessed to find a new job that began Monday, February 1, 2010. But, being unemployed for nearly a year really took a toll on her finances. She contacted St. Vincent de Paul for assistance. It was difficult for her to ask for help since she'd always been able to take care of her family, somehow. She doesn't see herself as type of person to ask for help from anyone, including her own family. Although she still needs to get caught up on her mortgage, Kira is confident her new job will prove sustainable.
Kira reached out for help to a SVdP Conference. After speaking with a caseworker, a home visit was scheduled.
She repeatedly praised the way in which SVdP case workers assisted her. She pleasantly surprised that SVdP does not drag people, who are already discouraged and embarrassed, through the mud. She shared the many other experiences she's had with organizations who, she feels, insisted on making people in need "jump through hoops" to get the help they need.
Finally, she mentioned that the case worker who assisted her was able to look at and assess her entire need, not just addressing the request she made. Kira only asked for assistance with her water bill, but during the home visit the case workers discovered she also needed help with her rent. They asked her why she didn't ask for help with everything.
"Because other people need help too and if you can just help me with one thing, I'll be grateful for that," responded Kira.
Kira is grateful to SVdP. She began her new job Monday with her hope for a brighter future still intact.
DDET A Few Dollars a Week
Shawna, a single mother with 2 children, was on probation but a job. When she fell behind on her bills, she reached out to St. Vincent de Paul for help. With her hard work, she was able to pay for her rent and utility bills, but she came up short on the $150 per month for her probation. After some prayerful reflection and discussion, the local Conference decided 
to pay for her probation.
One of the Vincentians spoke with a fellow parishioner who owned three different businesses. While maintaining confidentiality, the Vincentian inquired about the possibility of offering the Shawna a better job than she currently had. The parishioner agreed and has been pleased with her performance. With the increase in pay, Shawna has been able to meet her monthly payments on a regular basis without any further assistance from SVdP.
Sometimes it’s only a few dollars a week that stand between need and self sufficiency. By helping Shawna find a better paying job, SVdP had helped her to change her life.
Thrift Store Phoenix
A family’s home burned down in Calhoun and they escaped with just a suitcase and the clothes on their back. The SVdP Calhoun Conference contacted the Conference Support Center and we connected them with the Jasper Community Thrift Store for help. The thrift store put together, blankets, sheets, silverware, dishes, furniture, TV, beds, table and chairs, washer, dryer and food for the client. The client drove to Jasper from Calhoun with a U-haul and picked up the furniture. By working together and sharing the cost of the furniture the Jasper Conference and Calhoun serve as shining examples of how SVdP Conferences collaborate to help serve those in crisis situations.
In a similar crisis situation, the Ellijay Conference took a call from a local Church in Pickens County asking for assistance for a young man whose apartment in Ellijay had burned. A Vincentian interviewed him and discovered that although he had found a furnished trailer to live in, it had no washer and dryer. Again the Thrift Store came through with a washer but no dryer was available. The local church purchased a dryer for the young man and the Red Cross in collaboration with local church paid for one week’s rent at the local motel.
The SVdP Thrift stores honor vouchers, allowing screened clients to get free clothing, house wares, and furniture. Volunteers, who support the mission of helping those in need, staff the stores. Proceeds from store sales go to the sponsoring conferences, funding operating expenses, and buying food for clients who come to them for help. Each of the stores offers a low-cost, high quality shopping experience for bargain shoppers, as well as those with limited means. The stores are stocked with items donated to the Society by generous individuals as well as businesses. Items that cannot be used by our thrift stores are recycled. The Society takes pride in being good stewards of all that we receive in the name of helping others.
Cassie’s Transformation
A single-mother of two, Cassie was homeless at one time in 2005. She found her way to a shelter. SVdP helped her find an apartment, where she still resides. Through some financial support from her ex, she has been living on her own.
Cassie had been working at a local fast-food restaurant and was poised to graduate from a local technical school. Although she suffers from a bi-polar disorder, she functioned well on medication. Cassie was ready to move forward in her career aspirations, but she had no transportation. She had come a long way to overcome many challenges.
The local SVdP conference contacted the SVdP Conference Support Center. Through our Wheel Appeal Program, SVdP was able to provide Cassie with a car. Now Cassie is driving toward complete independence. Through five years of hard work with a little help from SVdP, she is well on her way.
When a car is donated to SVdP, it means more than transportation. It’s transformation!
The Payless Gives Shoes for Kids Program
As one of only 700 organizations selected from the 2,900 non-profit organizations that applied to participate in the Payless Shoes 4 Kids program. St. Vincent de Paul, Atlanta received 150 coupons that were distributed to 11 Conferences to give to children during the Christmas 2009 season. Here are just two of the 150 stories about how these shoes have made a difference.
Ms. Neese, a single-mom, cares for four grandchildren who live with her in a small two bedroom apartment. Neese temporarily cares for her four grandchildren because their father has to work and their mother is in rehab. She also has a four-year-old adopted daughter, Bianca. Although Bianca’s biological mother twice made appointments for an abortion, she was unable to go through with the procedure.
“If you are willing to give birth, I will care for the child,” Neese felt compelled to tell Bianca’s birth mother.
Consequently, when Bianca was born, Neese adopted her. It’s difficult to keep up with the clothing needs of five growing children. Thanks to the Payless Gives Shoes for Kids Program all five children have new shoes for Christmas.
More Shoes for Kids
Mrs. Joyce Cruz, pictured in the green sweater, is a single, disabled-mom with two teen boys, a daughter in-law and a tiny grandson.
Currently, they all live in a small two bedroom apartment. Cruz uses a wheel chair to get around since childhood when she was diagnosed with polio at the age of two.
Her eldest son, 19-year-old Miguel, and his 19-year-old wife, Nancy, are unemployed and are currently job-seeking. Cruz’s 16-year-old son, Raphael, is still in school. Joyce cares for her grandson, Miguel and Nancy’s four-month-old son, Rodney, whose medical condition requires he be fed through a drip nasal tube. Like many families, they are struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times.
All three of the teens needed shoes so they would be dressed appropriately for job interviews. The Payless Gives Shoes for Kids Program provided them the means to shop for shoes. Now, they can go to interviews feeling proud of their appearance. The confidence is sure to come across through the interviews and will enhance their chances of finding employment.
“This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Cruz.
Collaboration Delivers for Wheelchair Repair
A Vincentian at Christ the King called the Conference Support Center about Teddy, a man who depends on his electric wheelchair for all his mobility. The chair was broken and he didn’t have the means to repa
ir it. Did we have anyone who could help?
A member of our staff called a contact who posted it on the Business Association Network Boards. As a result, the community came forward with enough help to totally refurbish Teddy’s wheelchair.
This kind collaboration is part of the foundation of St. Vincent de Paul’s assistance model. SVdP is happy to work with other nonprofits and businesses to continue our mission to provide financial, material, educational and spiritual support to those in need.
From Misery and Defeat to Hope
Sometimes the simple presence of the Vincentians, the connection to another human being, makes all the difference for a person in need. Recently, two of our Vincentians visited a woman. This client was very different. She was a woman with a wretched history – abused, hardened, suspicious, and almost hostile.
At the outset, conversation was nearly impossible. She answered, if at all, with monosyllables, or half sentences. But after several awkward minutes, with us helping with some answers, being agreeable, and asking some non-threatening questions, the lady seemed to become more comfortable, seemed to warm to our being there, even showed a little trust. She needed rent money. She and her husband, a handyman, were unemployed.
Suddenly without warning, the dam burst! There followed an unanticipated, uninterrupted, tearful outpouring of her life: one of failure and misery. It was a life of broken relationships with men; children, legitimate and illegitimate; lost jobs; debt; eviction; abuse, both given and received; drugs and jail.
When she finished, the tenor of the situation was different. We joined in a closing prayer. This woman, so reticent at our first meeting, now accompanied us to the door. She thanked us for our coming to visit, for our time, for our efforts to help. But there is more -- this is not the end of the story.
We arranged to pay a month’s rent; the landlord agreed to make a contribution and offered handyman work at some of his properties to our client’s husband. When I called, she was not home. I left word that the rent was paid and asked her to call me back concerning the offer of employment.
When she called, she was bubbling with appreciation, excitement and expectation. She was very appreciative of the rent money. She had renewed her own efforts for employment with the School System as a bus monitor. Her husband’s possibilities for work leapt, not only as a result of the landlord’s promise, but also with the end of rain and the improving weather situation. She gushed for more than five minutes! She went from misery and defeat to hope in just twenty-four hours.
Christmas Gifts for the Children
Our Christmas Appeal child, Ricky, had a pretty good Christmas thanks to St. Vincent de Paul at Our Lady of the Mountains and the community of Jasper, Georgia.
Even though he didn’t have cookies for Santa, Ricky did receive some pretty cool stuff at the Christmas party hosted by St. Vincent de Paul.
Each year, Our Lady of the Mountains hosts a holiday party for about 180 children. The kids eat treats, play games and visit with Santa. Each child has the chance to talk to the jolly old elf.
These kids say the darnedest things. One little boy asked Santa to bring a gift to his mom, he didn’t need anything but his mom needed a job. Another child caught a glimpse of the numerous, identical backpacks staged for giving.
When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, he said, “A backpack?”
He was pretty savvy about asking for a sure thing. Of course, that’s what he received, as did all the kids that day. The backpacks were stuffed with storybooks, crayons, holiday treats and tooth brushes with toothpaste.
Of all the goodies the children receive at the party, can you guess what the kids are most excited about? The toothbrushes and toothpaste!
Along with the many gifts to those in need this Christmas through the annual Giving Tree, the Transfiguration Conference hosted a Christmas Party where 17 children and their families were given a healthy sack lunch, toys, t-shirts and sweatshirts, a filled Christmas stocking and a poinsettia for each family. This was a true labor of love through collaboration from the Knights of Columbus Transfiguration Council 10362 Ladies Auxiliary, the Windsor Oaks Bunco group and the Transfiguration SVdP Conference.
The community coming together in collaboration is what allows these events to take place. Isn’t that how it should be? All of us working together to provide for the children? Don’t they all belong to us?
You can have a part in making these types of events happen. Volunteer, donate, and spread the word about St. Vincent de Paul!
Flood Victims Helped by SVdP
Thanks to the article in the Georgia Bulletin about the hardship some of the St. John Vianney (SJV) parishioners were having due to the 100 year flood in September, the Conference received donations from all over the Archdiocese to help.
These flood victims are still facing much hardship trying to get their lives back together and a place to live. The donations were sent to our St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Lithia Springs, Georgia, to assist the Conference in helping the victims.
With these donations, on Saturday, December 19, they hosted a party for the victims. Because of this generosity, 23 children will receive Christmas presents purchased with gift certificates to buy some given to their parents. Our Spanish Circle of the Council of Catholic Women helped one family with their Christmas needs; and our Knights of Columbus Council was able to help two more families. Our SJV Council of Catholic Women will be having a Baby Shower for one couple that is expecting a new baby in March. Our own Catholic Charities organization came out and helped many families in the Austell area with monetary assistance. This is just one example of how your donations are put to good use.
On behalf of all the flood victims, we say a BIG THANK YOU!
The Home Visit: One Man’s Journey
A little more than seven years ago I was invited to join St. Vincent de Paul. I was delighted! I felt that my experience as a marketing and sales person dealing with the rough and tumble of the marketplace would serve me well in the uncertain world of SVdP home visits. I was right -- to a point. I knew, of course, of SVdP’s long history of providing world-wide financial assistance. But, I was oh, so naïve as to the many more enduring and meaningful benefits brought about by a personal, face-to-face meeting with those in need.
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I made a home visit to an individual who needed propane– not a complex visit. He was a wounded veteran of Vietnam, had lost his job in construction weeks before, and was tending the home fires while his artistic wife, part Native American, was back in her original setting, selling her Indian art and articles of jewelry.
Before calling us, our client had contacted eight charitable organizations without any response. When I returned his call to SVdP just twenty minutes after he had left a message he was surprised, impressed, and highly appreciative.
His response was “Thank you. At last someone who cares.”
When I advised that we would also like to meet with him in his home he was astonished. As we drove into his yard, he came out to greet us. My wife, a natural nurturer, who has positive effects on all hurting people, animals and plants, immediately engaged our host in a deep conversation concerning his abundance of squirrels and cats. It seems the squirrels were bombarding the cats with pecans, and since he was a friend to both parties, was uncertain as to how to intervene. He then led us on a highly animated tour of his modest but unique home. He, a carpenter, and his wife, an artist, had conspired to create a home of raised floors and sunken rooms, indoor trellises and arbors, tastefully complemented with Native American art. It was fully thirty minutes before we settled for the supposed purpose of our visit.
The visit lasted over an hour. With the onset of colder weather, he certainly needed propane. But, our client, anxious and embarrassed over his lack of employment and his finances; isolated and alone; missed his wife and was desperately lonesome. We bought his propane. But I am convinced that by far the greater good, the greater value was delivered by just being there, being concerned, being involved, being a friend.
A Volunteer In The Right Place
I have been in the USA for four months now through the Diversity Program organized by the US Immigration Services. Since then, it has been an enriching experience to get closer to those with which I have been working for about a decade, namely the US Peace Corps Volunteers.
While looking for jobs and better opportunities for my family and myself, I found St. Vincent de Paul Society where I am now volunteering. My past experience with Language and Culture facilitation, Program coordination, ESL teaching, French/English interpreting/translations and other experience were all conducive to my volunteering at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference Support Center.
I came from Burkina Faso, West Africa, where I grew-up in a St. Vincent de Paul Parish; my 9-year-old son is named Vincent de Paul. I have also found the best in many human beings on the road to becoming useful and helpful to others. Indeed the rule of the Vincentians is to make personal contact with those who suffer and direct services of the marginalized, their basic work. The final objective of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to grow together, spiritually, morally and humanly. Every time I step into the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s premises in Atlanta (Chamblee Tucker Road), I pray the Lord to continue making this place a solid rock for all those coming from hard places, I pray to the Lord to allow his glory to be revealed in every person I meet, every activity I’m going through, data entry, setting up donated appliances, folding envelopes… and I pray to my Lord to make me new again, to give me the means to be more helpful to people.
My job search has been challenging. It’s difficult to go through a lot of applications and sometimes to be told that you’re not the best match for the position, when you know deep in your heart that you have potential to be taken into account.
After four months of job seeking, I filed about 80 applications, from which I received about 10 non-matching notifications, 10 in progress notifications, 10 interviews and 50 silent responses. It sounds like an adventure. Actually there is no need to go into a no man’s land, in the middle of nowhere, in a remote jungle to seek adventure. Adventure nowadays is anytime you click on a “apply now” icon without knowing definitely where it will lead you; adventure today is when you cross the threshold of your door (when you have any) without expecting the road to take you to any store you can’t afford because you’re penniless, or bring you to any hospital you can’t visit because you’re dime less.
I do believe we’re in the right place, where the American Dream is still possible, where we can move from square one to the top of the mountain. The right people are those who believe in this dream and who struggle to find opportunities to achieve their dream. The right people at the right place, is it not a perfect match? I also believe that when God hears the cries of a captive, he assigns a deliverer. God Bless You! Jean .
Serving a Latte of Love, Hope and Community
Starbucks is a favorite, if not a daily, stop for my sister, Peg, and I. Knowing this, Sandra called St. Vincent de Paul on Thursday, September 24, to take a case: A woman was found living in her car in the parking lot outside a local Starbucks. I mention the date because what followed has been a whirlwind of love, charity, and community action.
This Starbucks is always busy with a variety of customers from every ethnic and religious background; all ages. Mothers with infants, tables of people playing cards, and others just gathering to discuss and solve world problems. Some of the “regulars” know everyone and others just wave at familiar faces as they leave with their purchases. Some employees even know our “drink preferences”. This is the Community that reached out to help this woman.
By the time we met with our client at Starbucks on Friday, her story was known throughout the store. One customer had already provided Thursday and Friday nights’ lodging for her. Others had offered money. Peg and I had our “private home visit” at a table outside the store. Our client turned out to be a homeless woman who had been living in her car for 5 weeks and hadn’t eaten in 5 days. Her story was not unlike others we have heard: divorce, illness, accidents, etc. leading to loss of employment, eviction, nowhere to turn, and too ashamed to ask for help. Unlike other cases, she was raised, educated and, until recently, lived in Dunwoody. “Regulars” knew her when she would stop on her way to work to get drinks for the hospice patient she was taking care of. Others knew her from the Jewish Community. She was one of us and the Dunwoody Starbucks’ Community went into action to help her.
A “core group” of people took charge. Immediately, everyone was on their cell phone or BlackBerry finding resources to help her. Within a couple of hours a plan took shape. All Saints SVdP provided lodging in an extended stay hotel for one week and gave her Kroger cards. The Jewish Community began organizing food and finding doctors willing to evaluate her health. Other Starbucks customers began collecting laundry supplies, quarters and other staples she would need and All Saints SVdP took them to her.
By Friday, Oct 2, she had been seen by a doctor with a scheduled follow-up appointment. This doctor arranged for her to be seen by a pulmonary specialist….both pro-bono. She was given samples of medicine. She is looking better and eating well. She’s been to the Jewish Family & Career Services to see what services were available to her and was given food from their pantry. Maureen, from All Saints SVdP, gave us clothes to give her. Her health is improving, her spirits hopeful and she’s feeling better about herself. Emails and meetings at Starbucks have kept everyone updated on her progress. This is Community action at its best!
We have not and will not solve all her problems. That is not our goal. We just wanted to give immediate and short term help. We also wanted to direct her to resources that will lead to a future of self-sufficiency. This experience has shown me, once again, what God expects from each of us: To Help One Another. This is what life is all about.
To the wonderful Dunwoody Starbucks Community…..thanks for including us. I lift my tall Pumpkin Spice Latte to ALL of you!
Here are a few typical stories of help from our conferences. The needs of each of our clients directly influence the type of assistance the Society of St.Vincent de Paul provides. Unlike other assistance programs, SVdP seeks to provide the assistance and resources specific to the needs of each individual client in order to restore stability. These stories illustrate the diversity of the types of assistance SVdP provides.
Falling Into a Blessing
The day began like any other at the St. Vincent De Paul Family Support Center. The waiting room was filled with more than 28 people waiting for assistance. Some sat and others stood, as the sound of children playing and shopping carts being filled with food were heard. A client, Fannie, thanked the SVdP worker and the society for being so generous. Then she told the worker about a women walking outside with an open wound on her abdomen.
“This woman just had a baby and she really needs help more than I do, but she doesn’t speak any English,” said Fannie.
The worker immediately went outside to see the women Fannie was talking about. Sure enough, she was outside and walking very slow. The worker invited her into the office and learned her name was Maria. She showed the worker the stitches from her C- Section. They had come loose, leaving her with an open wound. She had done her best to stuff the wound with gauze to control the seepage. Maria said she had been rejected by a local hospital because she did not have proper ID or insurance.
Even though she was in pain, Maria remained pleasant. She carried her newborn baby in a sling she had fashioned from an old sheet. The worker gave her a stroller and a baby carrier to help her get around town. A bilingual interpreter assisted the family with finding a hospital that would accept Maria with no insurance. Once her appointment was established, SVdP staff made sure Maria left with food and clothing for her new born and herself.
Maria had no idea what St. Vincent De Paul was all about. She just happened to be walking outside our door and ended up falling into the hands of people that love to serve. She said it was like falling into a blessing. Maria’s story illustrates how much SVdP brings hope and help to people who feel lost in the world.[/DDET]
[DDET Rebuilding After the Fire]
We recently received an e-mail from a client who expressed her delight and gratitude after finding one of our Thrift Stores. She wrote:
In June our home was destroyed by fire. We were very fortunate that we had insurance and most importantly, no one suffered a single burn, scratch, or an ounce of smoke inhalation. However; we had difficulties with our girls’ bedrooms in the basement never being permitted through the county by the former owners. This, combined with our insurance company’s turtle-paced slowness in sending us a check, meant we took the money from our personal accounts and minuscule savings to hire a contractor to start building. We thought before we ran out of funds, we would have received the check from the insurance company. We still needed to replace our belongings.
So, today I went down to the SVdP Thrift Store and I was pleasantly surprised to find exactly what I needed at unbelievable-miraculous prices. I was simply amazed at the quality of clothing and the prices the items were marked. Not only were the prices marked considerably lower than retail, adult clothing with yellow and green stickers was reduced even more.
We made earlier purchases from the SVdP Thrift Store for the warm weather in June and July but with the weather turning cooler, we needed items for the cold weather season. Again, the SVdP thrift Store had just we needed. We are very grateful. Thanks for the lead
Over Coming Life’s Challenges
Even in the midst of the economic downturn, Sharon has consistently been employed. However, life has brought other challenges that caused her to turn to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Her cousin Mary’s husband died, leaving Mary with two children under 10 years old. Unfortunately, Mary is disabled. She has applied for Social Security disability, but has not received a response back yet. Even in these tough times, Sharon welcomed her cousin and her children into her home. But, the added expense, as well as the other expenses surrounding the death in the family, caused Sharon to fall behind in her rent. She had been working with the rental agency to keep up to date, until the flood of 2009.
Her household was affected by the flood, creating more expenses which pushed her further behind. With help from St. Vincent de Paul, she will be able to catch up on her rent and move forward.
Car Means Freedom
A family approached St. Vincent de Paul about a young man, Jerry, being held in Fulton County Jail. Despite his very traumatic and chaotic childhood, Jerry has much po
tential. He was in need of encouragement, compassion and help.
His pro-bono attorney said he needed to provide a concrete plan to the court to increase the likelihood the judge would allow him a chance to start over. That plan, among other things, entailed finding employment and a vehicle to get to the place of employment.
A car for this promising young man could make the difference between him possibly being sent to prison for a number of years and the judge allowing him probation. This young man sincerely wanted to turn his life around. Finding employment will help tremendously, but finding employment with a criminal record AND without a car is very difficult.
Connecting this young man with a local St. Vincent de Paul Conference, he learned the criteria necessary to obtain a car. He would need obtain insurance and have a valid driver’s license. He needs to recognize and understand the costs of gas, maintenance, registration and insurance. He must have no DUI in 5 years and no other moving violation in the past year, and no outstanding tickets of any kind.
After filling out the necessary paperwork, Jerry was delighted when he was handed the keys to his 1990 Cadillac. He’s living with his brother, has found a job and is getting back on his feet. A single dad, Jerry now can spend time with his child on the weekends. We recently received an e-mail from the SVdP Conference that assisted Jerry. They tell us the car is on the road and Jerry is driving toward success.
More than Life’s Basic Necessities
Suzanna, a 20-year-old, single woman dropped out of school because she couldn’t pay tuition. She could not afford to live independently and had moved in with a family member.
Within the past month her situation has improved. She received her first pay check, purchased a Marta card and moved into an apartment. Suzanna came to St. Vincent de Paul Family Support Center looking for food and basic household items.
While doing intake with Suzanna, she began expressing her unrest and lack of peace in her life. She talked about wanting to go back to school to get a vocational degree as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The SVdP worker called a few local schools and provided Suzanna with information regarding government grants to attend school.
Also, they discussed how to save money for a rainy day. We connected her with Best Bank, a partner of SVdP. During the entire conversation Suzanna’s boyfriend, Guy, sat patiently, not uttering a word.
“Sir, are you taking care of Ms. Suzanna?” the worker said to break the ice.
“I can’t even take care of myself,” he responded and began to cry. The SVdP worker felt heartbroken but she encouraged him.
“Remember,” she said, “God is a God of second chances.”
A native of Georgia, he grew up in a tough neighborhood and watched many of the men in his family go to jail or die. Already a convicted felon, he wanted something different but didn’t know how to go about achieving it.
The SVdP worker gave him a GED book and offered to assist him in furthering his education. She connected him with two non-profit organizations that assist convicted felons to find work and mentoring. Mr. Sailor began to cry and said that no one had ever taken the time to tell him any of this. The SVdP worker gave him her business card and, of course, a hug. She told him we are here to help, not to judge.
Suzanna and Guy were truly looking for more than life’s basic necessities. They left our office with food, but most of all they had renewed hope.
Simple Request
Sally reached out to her local St. Vincent de Paul Conference for some help with her grandmother, Lorraine.
Her grandmother had left behind many personal belongings, escaping a difficult living situation, she moved in with Sally. Sally told the SVdP members about her grandmother and asked for some winter clothes for her and for someone to stay with her grandmother for a couple of hours each month so Sally could have a small break from the around-the-clock care of her grandmother who has cancer and is developing Alzheimer’s. Two members of SVdP visited Sally and Lorraine.
During the visit, they found the needs were much greater than the simple request. Lorraine is nearly 80 years old and was staying with family, but it was an abusive situation. Sally, in her mid-30s was able to get her out of the situation and become the legal guardian for her grandmother. However, the situation put Sally in a “catch-22.” Lorraine’s health was not good enough for an independent living situation, but it was not bad enough to qualify her for a nursing home. Lorraine’s medications were running as high as $1,500 per month, more than Social Security check could cover. Sally’s job did not provide enough money to pay someone to care for her grandmother, but the constant needs of Lorraine prevented Sally from working regularly. So, now they are both relying on Lorraine’s Social Security check.
Because of the home visit, SVdP was able to provide much more substantial help. The SVdP members gave Lorraine and Sally a voucher to go to the Family Support Center in Chamblee to receive food, clothing, and some household items. The Conference also provided rent assistance for one month. Also, the SVdP members will work with groups in their parish to coordinate volunteers who can spend a few hours with Lorraine, so that Sally can have a break. Through the SVdP Pharmacy Program, Lorraine will be able to obtain her cardiac medication at no cost. This savings will allow them to “break even” on their monthly budget.
Lorraine and Sally were overjoyed to receive the help from SVdP, offering repeated thanks amidst tears of joy. And it all began with a simple request.
Generation to Generation
Working in an office making a little over $24,000 a year, Mary barely makes ends meet. Moving back home to be a caretaker for her aging parents, has not given her any relief. Aging along with her parents is their home, where the water line had been leaking for several months when it finally breaking. The utility bill alone consumed three of Mary’s paychecks with cleanup and doctor’s bills consumed the family’s remaining funds.
Unfortunately, unpaid time away from work to tend to her parents and the water damage repair has placed her family on the edge. St. Vincent de Paul was able to negotiate a payment plan and secure funding to help with the water bill. They were able to replace any many of the water damaged items with free items from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Stores.
Through the new Pharmacy Program, both of her parents are able to get several months of critically needed prescriptions without any additional strain on their tight budget. Without SVDP, there may not have been a safety net to catch this family before they fell over the financial edge.
Finding New Hope
Leonard abused substances and lead a self professed ‘trouble life well into his forties. In and out of conflict he explains, I just didn’t get it. When he found himself out on the street he would come to St. Vincent de Paul for help. I never just got a hand out though says Leonard. ‘I knew that a friendly voice of reason would always guide me to resources – either through their own programs or others that they worked with – and I could just feel that they (SVDP) believed in me.
Even though he would fall back to his old habits, each time it took a little longer. ‘They (the Society) would just pick me up and brush me off to try again. Until one day, the light came on and I finally got it. Leonard never felt judged when he asked for help. Because of this, Leonard has successfully completed his college degree and passed several certification programs that will enable him to open a women’s recovery center.
The building for the recovery center has been purchased and will house up to eight women at a time and offer classes designed to build self esteem and encourage educational growth. According to Leonard, ‘Without St. Vincent, I would have never understood why I should care about others. Now, all I can think about is how I can give back. This center is my answer. Thank you St. Vincent de Paul!
New Beginning
Tamara was working two jobs and barely making ends meet when she was laid off from her part-time job. That’s she things started to unravel. She lost her car and, due to medical expenses for her son who has asthma, was unable to pay her full rent. 
Tamara called the St. Marguerite conference and two caseworkers visited her home. They arranged to pay the rent and get her a donated car so that she could keep her job. They also brought food and arranged for her to go to our Conference Support Center to be screened for benefits.
With the help of St. Vincent de Paul and the food stamps that she now gets regularly. Tamar’s financial situation is more stable. She sees a brighter future for herself and her children.
There’s Always Hope
Every person has innate human dignity and the right to be treated with respect. Those in need have suffered a litany of both large and small indignities, from the knot in the pit of their stomachs when realizing they must ask for help, to feeling invisible to those who seemingly ignore them or won’t look them in the eye as they pass by.
In these difficult economic times and more families find themselves in need, our mission to help takes on greater urgency and importance. Besides giving much needed material assistance to those in need, the staff and volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul strive to recognize and meet our clients’ needs for dignity, encouragement, respect, care and kindness by creating positive experiences for each person we assist.
“When clients come in looking for food, they often don’t consider how they will transport that food home. Often, we can find a rolling suitcase and we lovingly and carefully pack it for the client.”
“When homeless clients come for bread, one staffer institutes her ‘Hug the Homeless campaign. ‘But, I’m so stinky,’ they often respond.
‘I love stinky,’ she responds. She gives the much needed human contact so many homeless people are lacking.
”It’s so important to look people in the eye and treat them as guests, offering them a seat or a bottle of water.”
”I love the look on their faces when they come in with a voucher and discover they can receive more than just a bag of food.”
By going beyond what is expected, our staff and volunteers restore some of the dignity lost along the way and bring to life the belief, there is always hope.