Twinning – The Fundamental Expression of Vincentian Fraternity, Solidarity, & Charity

In keeping with the vision of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam to create a network of charity, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul sponsors a program called "Twinning." Twinning is a process whereby Councils, Conferences, or even individuals of the Society assist other Councils and/or Conferences that are unable to conduct their works of mercy because of lack of funds.

Twinning is conducted both domestically and internationally.

Sponsors of Hope – New!

Historically, Twinning has been conducted from one SVDP Unit (Conference/Council) to another SVDP Unit. This process has isolated compassionate and charitable individuals from participating in the program.

Now you, as an individual, may offer financial assistance to needy SVDP Conferences either in your diocese or overseas. You alone may limit your charity!

Individuals may sponsor a diocesan or international SVDP Conference by sending a donation to Central Council, designated to a specific Twinning effort. Central Council will track all donations and ensure they reach the proper Conference and are utilized in appropriate manners.

Please click here for details on how to donate time and/or money to the Twinning program – either domestically or internationally. For help selecting which effort to sponsor or for any additional information, please feel free to contact the Twinning Coordinator at Central Office. Contact information can be found at the side of this webpage.

Vision & Mission

Twinning is the building of a relationship of mutual love, respect, prayer, and sharing between two groups of people who choose to relate to each other as brothers and sisters. When we choose to Twin with another Conference, we no longer desire to think only of our own Conference or personal needs but also of the greater needs of the other Conference.

Our Twinning Mission is to build the Kingdom of God wherever we are called to make Christ visible through our spirituality and good works to the poor and needy. Our mission seeks to find the lost and forgotten, not only in the United States, but also throughout the World. Our prayer is to bring the hearts of all creatures home to their loving God, so that He may offer them His light, truth, love, and compassion.

History & Spirituality

Twinning was launched in 1954, but its basic concepts of mutual assistance date back to the inception of the Society:

“The spirit of communion must inhabit all members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Conferences that have more resources, either in money, or in members, must call themselves mother Conferences, and dispatch their members to conferences that need them."
-January 30, 1844

Mutual assistance has been encouraged by Presidents General throughout all of the Society’s history, since the time of Blessed Federic when the Council of Dublin reached out to the Council of Paris at a critical point in French history and then, in turn, when the Council of Paris assisted the Council of Dublin during a similar situation in Ireland.

Twinning is a means of implementing charity and solidarity by assisting our fellow Vincentians in their daily efforts to serve the poor. Twinning builds upon the very hallmark of the Society – friendship – and strives to fullfil the Society’s universal mission of charity. It aims to enhance the dignity of those who give and who receive, heightening the happiness of both twinning partners.

Additional Information

Documents
Welcome to Twinning [PowerPoint]
Overview Flyer [MS Publisher]
Twinning Request Card [MS Publisher]

Links
SVDP National Council Twinning Webpage

The Need for Twinning

Our Lord, by word and example, encourages us to serve the least of our brethren as much as possible, be they nearby or far away. SVDP is a fraternal family sharing whatever resources are needed as well as prayer to help the less fortunate.

The poor are generally concentrated in pockets of poverty. Through twinning, better-advantaged Conferences and individuals of SVDP assist those in need with leadership, training and sharing goods and services with spiritual benefits flowing to the givers as well as the receivers.

The Elements of Need & Assistance

A. Financial support (monthly, quarterly, or as needed)
     • Twinning means sharing and there is no standard (or minimum) contribution
     • Conferences within the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston offer assistance creatively on the schedule        and level that fits their Conference resources best
          i. Donate $400 monthly to the SVDP Village
          ii. Match donations made by partner giving Conferences
          iii. Cover the monthly Food Bank bill of a needy Conference ($150 – $600)
          iv. Offer one-time assistance of varying amounts
B. Manpower:
     • Help with home visiting.
     • Help with rest home or institutional visiting.
     • Help during holiday food and gift preparations and deliveries.
     • Help with organizational needs (i.e. plan to attract new members, publicizing needs, develop calendar,        and develop plan of action for projects).
C. Participation at Council meetings, days of recollection and retreats.

Conference and/or personal funds should be used by the needy Conference and not given to other charities or used for salaries, building rental, etc. Thus we maintain our mission of giving funds dollar for dollar to the needy we serve.

Other Forms of Domestic Twinning

A. Sponsor to family.
Sponsor provides or shares in cost of helping a homeless or out of parish family with needs of lodging, rent, or other major necessity.
B. Sponsor to parish without Conference.
Assist families in a parish where there is no active Conference.
C. Sponsor to Conference as requested.
Usually involves appeal at Council meeting by needy conference for funds to pay bills.
Could involve appeal by needy Conference for help with an annual project (i.e. holiday assistance).
D. Sponsor to Council.
Financial and manpower support to Council assistance programs (i.e. dining rooms, jail ministry, food bank, and assistance desk at Council office).

Become a Donor or Recipient Twin!!

If your SVDP Unit has a need for financial assistance or additional manpower, please consider becoming a recipient Twin. If your SVDP unit or you personally have an abundance of material resources or manpower, please consider becoming a donor Twin.

Twinning partnerships are typically created within districts. However, if no suitable twins can be located within the district, domestic twinning partnerships may span dioceses or even regions.

To self-nominate for Twinning, Conferences may contact the Archdiocesan Council. Central Office may be contacted directly via phone, email, or Request Card.

If you wish to make a personal donation to a need Conference in the Archdiocese (i.e. individually sponsor domestic twinning), please click here.

Diocesan Council

Twinning Request Card
All Conferences should have received a Request Card in the June ‘06 Mailer. You may download and print the postcard by selecting the link below.

Twinning Request Card [MS Publisher]

In many parts of the world, St. Vincent de Paul Councils and Conferences do not have sufficient resources to carry out their mission to alleviate suffering. Therefore, SSVP Councils, Conferences, and individuals in more affluent countries reach out to help their sister and brother Vincentians with their work. Assistance may be offered in various forms, but sponsors most usually provide financial help.

The three essential elements of Twinning are:
1. Prayer
2. Material Resources
3. Correspondence

The needs are great in every diocese but they pale by comparison to the needs in other countries. The economic multiplier of your dollars in less affluent countries makes comparatively small contributions gigantic in what can be done.

Vision & Aims

That all Councils and Conferences be twinned thus creating a unique worldwide community of love and solidarity, dedicated to sharing the necessities of life with as many of Christ’s poor as possible.

International Twinning has three aims:

1. To facilitate communication between Councils and Conferences around the world, promoting a spirit of     understanding, friendship, and solidarity among all Vincentians.
2. To help spiritually, morally, and materially Councils and Conferences so as to …
     • Continue to alleviate misery and hunger
     • Promote social justice throughout the world
     • Animate solidarity within the Society worldwide
     • Be a witness of Christian charity
3. To promote the establishment of new Councils and Conferences by helping them start and expand.

History

Twinning, one Conference or Council reaching out to help another, has been a part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for more than 150 years.

Although U.S. Vincentians have been actively Twinning with needy overseas Conferences and Councils since 1960, it was in 1979 that Twinning was declared a fundamental activity of the Society. The Council General in Paris requested that all nations establish Twinning programs in all Councils. For American Vincentians, Twinning funds, whenever possible, are derived from personal sacrifices by the members and friends of the Society; so that, in a symbolic way, they may share the poverty of the poor and needy around the world.

Vincentians in the United States have dramatically increased national overseas Twinning over the last 12 years. We are a part of the International Society’s Twinning Mission and Ministry, which reaches out to needy Conferences and Councils around the world.

Through Twinning, Vincentians are:
     • saving children’s lives
     • building shelters for families
     • relieving the suffering of abandoned mothers and children
     • helping the sick and elderly
     • aiding the poor in limitless ways
     • clothing the naked
     • feeding the hungry
     • sharing what we have with others
     • providing formation assistance

Three Types of International Twinning

There are three main types of International Twinning: Regular Twinning, Single Projects, and Individual Sponsors.

Regular Twinning
U.S. Conferences/Councils assist international Conferences, through prayer, correspondence, and material assistance, to carry out their daily Vincentian work in serving the poor. Examples of Regular Twinning are the Archdiocesan’s twinning relationship with Panama in 2005 and with St. Anthony’s Conference in St. Lucia in 2006.

See Regular Twinning Diagram.

Single Projects
U.S. Conferences/Councils give one-time, or limited, assistance to large scale development projects that draw upon funding from multiple sources (given their financial size).
A good example of Project Twinning would be a recently proposed sustainable farming project in Panama, requesting $60,000 to help in the development of a self-supporting agricultural farm and aiming to provide, in part, for the nutritional needs of the poor families in the area.

See Project Twinning Diagram.

Individual Sponsors - New!
Individuals sponsor an international Twin by sending a personal donation to Central Council, designated to a specific Twinning effort (Regular or Project). Central Council tracks all donations and ensures they are utilized in appropriate manners.

An example of Individual Twinning (Regular) is an individual sending donations to our Twin in St. Lucia via Central Council. An example of Individual Twinning (Project) is an individual supporting development projects approved by Central Council – projects similar to the Panama Farm Project mentioned above – by sending donations through Central Council.

Join the International Twinning Program!!

Twinning can be done by Conferences, Councils, or Individuals. Conferences/Councils may engage in two different types of twinning (Regular or Project). Individuals may personally assist Conference/Councils in either of these twinning efforts.

Interested Individuals
If you are an individual interested in International Twinning through personal donations of time or money, please click here for more information.

Interested Councils & Conferences
If you represent a Council/Conference interested in International Twinning, please view the following brochure and Conference list for information on how to begin and where to twin.

STARTER: International Conference Twinning [MS Publisher]
SVDP International Conference List

The International Twinning Manual provides more detailed, procedural information on International Twinning.

FAQs about International Twinning [MS Word]

Archdiocesan Twinning Efforts

St. Anthony’s Conference, St. Lucia

In mid-June, National Office honored the Archdiocesan request for an International Twin and partnered us with St. Anthony’s Vincentian Conference in St. Lucia. St. Lucia is an island in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. It is part of a string of very small islands southeast of Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Click here to learn about the need in St. Lucia. Our Twinning assignment follows the International Council guidelines for U.S. Conferences or Councils to twin with SVDP units in the Caribbean or Central & South America. Despite the geography, St. Lucia and the West Indies are English-speaking countries. Most other countries in the designated U.S. Twinning Region are Spanish-speaking.

We have been in contact with St. Anthony’s Conference via the St. Lucia National SVDP Office since late-June. Correspondence has been electronic (email) to allow for more rapid communication. Because St. Anthony’s does not have direct internet access, all correspondence is routed through the St. Lucia National Council by President Jacqueline Tobierre. Click here to view all correspondence between the Archdiocese and St. Anthony’s.

Assisting St. Anthony’s with Vincentian Work

U.S. National Council indicates that St. Anthony’s assists the needy of St. Lucia with food, medicine, and clothes. Mrs. Tobierre suggests that St. Anthony’s also focuses largely on education, job skill development, and housing rennovations. As the work of St. Anthony’s has grown, the Conference hopes to acquire an office soon and begin a soup kitchen to alleviate chronic hunger in the area.

It is our hope to begin a truly intimate twinning partnership with St. Anthony’s and institute a number of solidarity-building and charitable initiatives:
     • Monthly Council Correspondence
     • Vincentian Pen Pal Program
     • Community Donation Drives (food, supplies, etc.)
     • Service Visit to St. Anthony’s

CLICK HERE TO GET INVOLVED!!

Correspondence

June 22, 2006 [MS Word]
June 27, 2006 [MS Word]
June 28, 2006 [MS Word]
June 29, 2006 [MS Word]

Poverty Status Studies by the Caribbean Development Bank indicate that 18.7 % of households and 25.1% of individuals in St. Lucia are considered poor, based on reported living expenditures. Further, 5.3% of households, and 7.1% of individuals are indigent – unable to meet the basic food requirements for healthy existence. Poverty is most pronounced in rural areas, and the poor are more likely to have inadequate potable water and sanitation. The Caribbean Development Bank states that poor communities lack community organization and face challenges accessing support from external agencies.

Roots of Poverty

Ten issues have been identified by the Caribbean Development Bank as the major causes of poverty in the area. 1. The decline in earnings from the Banana Industry. 2. The decline in wage competitiveness of St. Lucia in the area of export-oriented light manufacturing and assembly operations. 3. The sluggish response in the creation of new viable activities or in increasing existing activities to take up the slack caused by the decline in the two sectors identified above. 4. The general deficiency in the capacities necessary to support alternative activities – inadequate educational and training systems. 5. The impossibility for the Government to take counter-cyclical action by increasing public expenditure – constraints of national monetary policy. 6. The limitations of the existing safety-net because of the inadequacy of resources – limited government budget for social services and poverty relief. 7. Chronic poverty in the South and South-West regions of St. Lucia from structural and institutional limitations that predates current overarching poverty 8. Limitations in physical infrastructure – poor access roads, lack of communications, absence of potable water, and inadequate electricity supplies. 9. Weaknesses in social infrastructure – high population growth from unwillingness to accept and use family planning services is straining social services (health, education, etc.); lack of daycare and pre-school facilities is preventing poor women from employment or training. 10. Absence of community organization – no local government organization or collective community action to address critical needs.

Source: Poverty Assessment Report – St. Lucia, Caribbean Development Bank
http://www.caribank.org

More Information about St. Lucia
General Information
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2344.htm
Economic Development
http://www.caribank.org

The Archdiocese is currently unaffiliated with any Project Twinning efforts. However, we are exploring the possibility of endorsing and assisting the Panama Farm Project.

As proposed, the Panama Farm Project is a sustainable farming effort with a three-year time table and a $60,000 budget. The project focuses primarily on developing a self-supporting agricultural farm that will provide, in part, for the nutritional needs of the poor families served in that area. Additionally, the Farm will support two secondary projects within the area – an education/skills training center and a home for the elderly.

The Farm Project is approximately one year and $18,000 shy of completion. Delegates from Central Council visited the development site in early October and have reported the progress to SVdP National Twinning office. At this time, the Archdiocesan Board will make a final decision as to whether or not Central Council will sponsor the Panama Farm Project.

Please check back frequently for status updates and donation opportunities!

In 2005, the San Jose de Malambo (Orphanage) became a Foreign Twin of our SVdP Archdiocesan Council. Last year our Council along with the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul parish financially supported the orphanage to help with the expenses of food, education and medicines.

Our SVdP Thrift Stores contributed to the orphanage boxes full of children’s shoes and clothing.

In December of 2004, our Executive Director, Wendy Garaghty, was able to travel to Panama to visit the orphanage. During her week stay, Mrs. Garaghty experienced daily life in San Jose de Malambo - visiting with children in the orphanage and AIDS House, participating in daily mass, walking the orphanage’s small farm, witnessing the need for continued advocacy to obtain government subsidized HIV medicine, learning first-hand the challenges faced by the Sisters in their Vincentian calling.

It was from the trip that we obtained the beautiful photographs shown in this section and featured throughout this webpage.

We invite you, as Conferences or individuals, to join us in our current Twinning efforts. Please strengthen our domestic and global network of charity by offering donations of time and/or money. (Remember, if you are a Conference, you also have the option of beginning a direct Twinning relationship of your own.)

Donations

Personal or SVDP Conference/Council donations (of any amount) to support Council Twinning efforts are ALWAYS encouraged and welcomed. To become a Sponsor of Hope: • Send a check to Central Council made payable to SVDP Archdiocese of    Galveston-Houston. • On the note of check, please designate which effort you would like to support   (Domestic Twinning, St. Anthony’s, or International Development Projects).

1 US$ = 2.7 EC$ (East Caribbean dollar)
The exchange rate multiplies the value of donations to St. Lucia approximately 3 times.

Send to:
Diocesan Central Office
Attn: Twinning Donation
2403 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77021

Initiatives

Council Twinning Initiatives are focused on serving our International Twin in St. Lucia:
1. Vincentian Pen Pal Program
Correspond with Vincentians in St. Lucia to share prayers, tales, worries, joys and Vincentian life. Create a personal link – a permanent emotional and spiritual relationship that cuts through cultural barriers and bonds Vincentians in true brotherly love for years to come.
2. Community Donation Drives (food, supplies, etc.)
Community donation drives, sponsored by Central Council, to accommodate the critical needs of St. Anthony’s and the people of St. Lucia. Drives will likely focus on the collection of food, clothing, books, medicine, and/or construction supplies.
3. Service Visit to St. Anthony’s
As our twinning relationship becomes older and more established, Central Council would like to plan a service trip to St. Lucia. This trip would be similar to the visit made by Central Council Staff to Panama in 2005. Visitors would offer direct physical assistance to St. Anthony’s Conference in their daily service work – learning, sharing, and giving.

Please contact Wendy Garaghty at Central Council if you are interested in donating or participating in any of these initiatives!
Call: 713-741-8234 Or Email: wendy.garaghty@svdphouston.org