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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is a non-profit, faith-based organization comprised of more than 1700 volunteer members of parish chapters, known as Conferences, that provide social services to people in crisis and on the journey of escaping poverty. Going to those in need since 1871 SUPPORT OUR MISSION $12.2M Direct Aid Provided 118K People Served in 2024 > 1.7K Volunteer members 10 Counties Served

Underserved Communitites Initiative places millions of dollars in the at-risk and distressed areas throughout the Galveston Houston area. Underserved Communities Where we serve determines what we see, and what we see ultimately shapes our actions as ONE Society. The Underserved Communities Initiative began in 2021, leveraging data from the The Distressed Communities Index measures the economic well-being of U.S. communities. A grant funding program for Conferences was launched in May 2022 to illuminate ground-level disparities across the Greater Houston area. This funding is designated ONLY to zip code areas identified as "at-risk" or "distressed" with the intent to prevent the number of unhoused children, families, and senior citizens living on the streets of Houston. Organization Purpose Increase impact by increasing the number of healthy, vibrant Conferences with dedicated members serving at-risk and distressed communities across the Galveston-Houston area. IMPACT More than 3.1 M of financial assistance has been provided to over 17K people in at-risk and distressed communities across the Galveston-Houston area. CHILDREN >7K prevented from being unhoused and displaced UTILITIES > 5K remained connected SENIORS >1K with extremely low incomes prevented from becoming unhoused Portfolio of Conferences Holy Family - Galveston St. Albert - Fondren/ Southwest St. Ambrose - Northside St. Frances De Sales - Sharpstown St. Hyacinth - Deer Park St. Mary Purification - Third Ward St. Monica - Acres Homes St. Patrick - Kashmere Gardens St. Philip Neri - Sunnyside St. Thomas the Apostle - Huntsville St. Thomas Aquinas - Alief St. Thomas More - Westbury Grant funding cycles each year: October - March April - September 2025 Report 2024 Report Grant Requirements Historical deficiency in financial and/or human capacity to serve the community. Have a minimum of 12 active members conducting 2 Conference meetings each month. Conduct recruitment events and onboard a minimum of 2 new members within the grant cycle. Conduct in-person home visits in at-risk or distressed zip code areas. Use CMS (Case Management System) for monthly reports and home visit data. Conference assessment completed in the past 3 years. Submit monthly impact stories for continuous fundraising efforts. Attend Formation events. Rebecca’s Story: From Crisis to Stability—Thanks to Your Support W hen Rebecca, a young single mother, called 211, she was on the brink of losing her home. Her struggles began when her roommate moved out, leaving her solely responsible for rent. Then, her car broke down beyond repair, and shortly after, she lost her job. With no transportation and mounting bills, Rebecca faced an impossible situation. That’s when Vincentians stepped in. Through a compassionate home visit, we prayed with Rebecca and assessed her needs. Thanks to the Underserved Communities Program, we were able to bring her rental account balance to zero —giving her the fresh start she desperately needed. Today, Rebecca’s story is one of hope. She secured a new job as an assistant therapist, helping autistic children at a location accessible by public transit. She is deeply grateful for the St. Vincent de Paul kindness and support that changed her life. Your generosity makes stories like Rebecca’s possible. Every dollar you give helps a family move from crisis to stability and restores dignity and hope. Will you join us in transforming lives today? Preventing Homelessness Requires YOUR Help Your money helps to keep children, families, and seniors safe in their homes. Ways to Give

We have 59 parish-based Society chapters called Conferences with over 1,900 combined volunteers. Be part of our mission by joinin. General Assembly is Approaching! Saturday, 01/24/2026 General Assembly - One Society 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - ONE Body but many Parts St. Jerome CC - Parish Activity Center - 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM Register here! Annual Formation Opportunities to Grow Spiritually with Friends REGISTER getFED F ormation E ducation and D evelopment held virtually each month for members of the Society to continuously grow in spirit, knowledge, and skill as a Vincentian . 2nd Tuesdays each month 12:15pm - 1:00pm Leadership Training In-person workshops for new and prospective Officers. The perfect succession planning tool. Click Here to See Current Trainings Meals and materials are provided by Council. Spiritual Retreat Contemplative Prayer (listening to God) provides the means of developing a more intimate relationship with the L ord . As our love of God deepens, our love for others grows into service for our brothers and sisters. This is an in-person, spiritual growth and renewal activity designed for all current and prospective members of the Society. Meals and materials are provided by the Council. The St. Vincent Times newsletter, published on the 1st & 15th of each month, provides upcoming Formation opportunities for members of the Society. Home Visit Training In-person workshops designed to go deeper into the purpose of person-to-person encounters. Discover the "why" and "how" to become culturally cognizant. L earn how to spiritually and physically prepare for service in your communities. Ozanam Orientation Foundation for ministry service. N ew Vincentians are required to complete this training within the 1st year of membership. Must renew every 5 years. January - September Meals and materials are provided by Council. Formation Opportunities We are committed to growing spiritually as friends. Let’s take time to nurture our hearts and minds during Advent so that we can influence the bringing of hope and help to others. Our mission isn’t just about providing service to those in need—it’s also about living in unity with Christ. When we pause to pray, reflect, and seek the will of the Holy Spirit, we create space for Him to operate in oneness with our mission. Formation is oftentimes the transformation our soul needs to increase our Vincentian footprint and impact. diciembre de 2025 Hoy lun mar mié jue vie sáb dom 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Providing Spiritual Nourishment to Members Requires YOUR Help Ways to Give

Systemic Change Initiative includes three resiliency programs to address the conditions that cause suffering, distress and poverty in underserved communities. Systemic Change Initiative Promoting systemic change means offering holistic support that empowers people to make their way out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. Three phases are designed to gradually increase resiliency against conditions that cause suffering and distress. GETTING AHEAD PROGRAMS Learn More Applications are currently being accepted! In-person interviews conducted December 1 - 12, 2025 Accepted applicants will be notified on December 16, 2025 Program supplies pick-up dates are January 15 and 17, 2026 Classes begin January 26, 2026 - May 15, 2026 *subject to change Brochure Impact Report Sessions to choose from: Mondays: 9:30am - 11:30am Tuesdays: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Wednesdays: 9:30am - 11:30am or 6:00pm - 8:00 pm Program Goals Working in a group learning environment, participants, become "investigators", and learn how money is only one of eleven resources to achieve success. Resources participants learn to move from crisis to sustainability: Social Capital Support System: Friends, family, network. Relationship/Role model : Access to people who can help improve your outcomes. Motivation & Persistence: Energy, drive and planning Financial: How to use money to purchase assets and services. Emotional: Ability to control emotional responses, increase Integrity, build trust, and maintain safety. Physical: Health and mobility Knowledge of Hidden rules: Know unspoken cues and behaviors of different social environments. Spiritual: Belief in divine purpose. Language: Ability to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar for different social environments Mental: Cognitive capacity to master daily life challenges. Program Benefits Become an Investigator If you’ve spent part of your life—or most of your life—struggling to get by, the idea of actually getting ahead might seem out of reach. Even if your story has been filled with barriers, vanishing opportunities, and setbacks, this program can change your next chapter. Yes, you have to write your own story, but you don’t have to do it alone. UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIDDEN RULES DIVERSE SUPPORT NETWORK STRATEGIC PLANNING PARTICIPATION STIPEND Phase I: Getting Ahead Program Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a 16-week series for motivated people ready to change their life by acquiring the tools and support necessary to "get ahead" in today’s world. Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World takes participants on a step-by-step journey to discover resources and build the resiliency necessary to overcome life's obstacles. This program helps participants build the life they want. APPLY Sessions Include the Following Modules: 01 01 01 01 MY LIFE NOW Investigate poverty; what is it like for us and our community? 02 02 02 02 THEORY OF CHANGE Be free from solving the same problems over and over again. 03 03 03 03 RICH/POOR GAP Research on causes of poverty; understand poverty from different perspectives. 04 04 04 04 HIDDEN RULES OF ECONOMIC CLASS 06 06 06 06 ELEVEN RESOURCES Investigate societal, community, relational, emotional, and financial resources. 07 07 07 07 SELF ASSESMENT OF RESOURCES Conduct self-assessments. 08 08 08 08 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT Deeper investigation of community resources. 09 09 09 09 BUILDING RESOURCES Create a treasure chest to achieve economic stability. Learn, understand, and be able to use the Hidden "Rules" of the wealthy, middle class and impoverished. 05 05 05 05 IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE Investigate formal register and negotiation tools. 10 10 10 10 PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY PLANS Develop a detailed plan for your future. By December 31, 2025, program practitioners aim for 178 participants to complete Phase I. Participants are selected based on the information provided within the application, along with their willingness to fully commit to all sessions of the program. Sessions are held virtually. Equipment is provided. Phase II: Getting Ahead GRADUATE Program Cohort '24 The second phase elevates participants' commitment to improving their own lives. Mentors become their teammate to provide the encouragement in achieving self-sufficiency and sustainability. Cohort '24 Assists Graduates with developing a pragmatic action plan to their vision of a better life. Guides Graduates in building financial, social, and emotional resources. Provides Graduate with incentives once successes and milestones are achieved. 6 MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM MUST FIRST COMPLETE PHASE I BEFORE ENROLLING Phase III: Getting Ahead ALUMNI Program Continue your journey. Become an Ambassador. Connect. Teach. Empower others. Continues exploring key community resources to maintain self-sufficiency. Provides educational workshops and online resources to stay motivated on journey. ONGOING PROGRAM Hosts community job fairs , networking opportunities and recognition events throughout the year. Provides alumni participants the opportunity to become mentors, facilitators, and even Vincentians to continue strengthening the community. MUST FIRST COMPLETE PHASES I and II Participant Experience Christy Christy loved the getting ahead program. She states it was instrumental for her personal and professional growth. Christy has learned systemic poverty and how to overcome it. Although she remains at her current job, she states she now has a better insight on how to look for better opportunities. Christy has gone through the 16 week getting ahead program, graduate program and is now helping facilitate alumni program. Mary Mary had lost her job and had no income for over 3 months. Due to her lack of knowledge about available resources, this was a difficult situation to overcome. After participating in the Getting Ahead program, she has started to work through her situations and begin a new path to financial stability. Mary continues to refer other individuals to the program and hopes to become a facilitator for the program to help others around her. Gloria Gloria shares that the getting ahead program is an open environment to discuss situations that have impacted you, and how the resources provided in the program helped resolve those issues. She says what she liked the most was that resources cam from both mentors and other participants in the program. Gloria would like to participate more with the community and expand the information she has received in the prgram. Submit your program application: Application Systemic Change Requires YOUR Help Ways to Give

St.Vincent Times Take a look at the newsletters you might have missed this past year! Newsletter Archives October 2025 SVDP Newsletter October 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter October 15, 2025 January 2025 SVDP Newsletter January 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter January 15, 2025 April 2025 SVDP Newsletter April 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter April 15, 2025 July 2025 SVDP Newsletter July 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter July 15, 2025 November 2025 SVDP Newsletter November 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter November 15, 2025 February 2025 SVDP Newsletter February 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter February 15, 2025 May 2025 SVDP Newsletter May 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter May 15, 2025 August 2025 SVDP Newsletter August 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter August 15, 2025 December 2025 SVDP Newsletter December 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter December 15, 2024 March 2025 SVDP Newsletter March1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter March 15, 2025 June 2025 SVDP Newsletter June 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter June 15, 2025 September 2025 SVDP Newsletter September 1, 2025 SVDP Newsletter September 15, 2025

← back to homepage July 2026 July 2026 July 2026 July 2026 Annual Black Bag Collection DONATE NOW ABOUT Your Support in Action $12.5M direct aid given in 2024 118,100 individuals served in 2024 10 counties served across Galveston-Houston area About the Black Bag Collection In 1833, our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and the original members realized they needed money to fund their good works of charity. Because the giving capacity of the members varied, they decided to pass around a simple black bag so that each member could give what they could afford to give. Today, we continue this tradition. We ask for your generosity to continue serving our neighbors in need. How to Donate All parishes in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will hold a special collection on the weekend of July 12-13, 2026 . You can also donate online , by phone, or by mailing a check. PHONE Call 832-538-0325 to make a gift over the phone. MAIL Checks payable to "Society of St. Vincent de Paul Galveston Houston" can be sent to: 2403 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77021. Please include "Black Bag" on the check memo. ONLINE You can donate online at: svdphouston.org/give Donate Online How will the funds be used? Despite being closely tied to the Archdiocese, the Society does not receive funding from the Diocesan Service Funds (DSF). The funds collected during this single month play a crucial role in the Society’s ability to provide direct financial assistance to neighbors in need, educational resilience programs, food pantry resources, disaster relief, and much more. Learn more Community Impact Thanks to the generosity of donors like you and the dedication of our Vincentian volunteers, together in 2025, we: Served 118,100 individuals with direct aid totaling $12.5 million Prevented homelessness for 6,300 families Kept essential utilities on for 4,600 households Provided 2.1 million meals to 24,000 families And much more! 2024 Community Impact Report

Today, I invite you to consider joining this profound and long-lasting mission as a member of our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service Legacy Society by including SVdP Galveston-Houston in your estate plans. Your lasting impact will allow this work to continue for generations and provide a brighter future for countless neighbors in need. We have all been called by God to work on a masterpiece." - Saint Vincent de Paul Legacy Society Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service The incredible supporters and members of SVdP Galveston-Houston have a deep commitment to loving neighbors and providing spiritual person-to-person service and financial assistance to those who need it most. This is evident in the growing number of households reached, hands held in prayer, and individuals like you who choose to champion our guiding values of spirituality, friendship, and service through legacy giving. Though our days are limited, our impact can last far beyond our own lives. Our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service recognize this and create opportunities for all people who are made in the image of God to flourish and draw near to Him. This is the very essence of legacy —an unbroken tradition of spirituality, friendship, and service to grow stronger over time. Consider joining this profound and long-lasting mission in the Legacy Society: Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service by including SVdP Galveston-Houston in your estate plans. Your lasting impact ensures this work continues for generations to come. Champions Receive the Following Benefits: Special welcome gift; Recognition on website and at events; Annual personal update from leadership; Invitations to exclusive experiences; Opportunities to share the story and intent behind your gift. Ways to make SVdP Galveston-Houston part of your personal legacy! Beneficiary Designations of a financial account: life insurance policy, retirement account, charitable gift annuity, donor-advised fund, charitable trust, other financial account. Bequests in a will or trust by inserting a provision containing the legal name and federal tax ID: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston EIN: 74-1464210 Sample Language: “I give, devise, and bequeath to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, an independent, nonprofit charitable institution located in Houston, Texas (EIN: 74-1464210) or its successor organization _% of my estate/item/asset/amount or residual amount to be used for g eneral support and charitable purposes without restriction." or “I give, devise, and bequeath to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, an independent, nonprofit charitable institution located in Houston, Texas (EIN: 74-1464210) or its successor organization _% of my estate/item/asset/amount or residual amount to be used for ________. If at any time it becomes impossible or impractical for my gift to be used for the above designated purpose, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston shall use my gift for a purpose and in a manner that it determines most closely meets the above designated purpose.” When you decide to make SVdP Galveston-Houston a part of your enduring legacy by including us in your estate plans, please let us know! We will be honored to welcome you as a Champion of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service! Contact Form 832-538-0325 Give with confidence We understand that it is important to you that your donation is being used effectively—it is important to us, too. Our top priorities encompass prudent stewardship and accountability. Careful management of operational resources is necessary to continuously fulfill the Society's mission.

Getting Ahead Program Membership Engagement

Neighborhood food pantries throughout the Greater Houston area managed by Vincentians, members of the Society Food Pantry Network Vincentians aim to alleviate hunger across Greater Houston communities through special works programs like operating an SVdP Food Pantry in their community, especially in areas deemed a food desert. Interested in becoming a member? You can help package and distribute food to those in need. GET INVOLVED The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Food Network serves 10 different counties throughout the Greater Houston area. The network is made up of member-operated community pantries. These neighborhood-based pantries provide families with access to nutritious food. Some of the most vulnerable populations are the elderly and children. Need Food? 211 HELP NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT DECLARACION DE NO DISCRIMINACION Alleviating Hunger Requires YOUR Help Ways to Give

Home Visit From the Society’s beginning, the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been visiting the needy in their homes. Start Now Home Visit From the Society’s beginning, the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been visiting those in need in their homes. Spirituality, Friendship and Service are the essence of home visits. By visiting people in their homes, members are humanizing the response to the crisis by experiencing the person's living conditions and needs. This is the clearest symbol of our Vincentian charism, which dictates the highest respect for the dignity of the poor. Essential elements of the Society: spirituality, friendship , and service. The Process 1. If you are requesting assistance, contact one of the Conferences to schedule a home visit. If you need help locating a Conference closest to your area, please call 211. 2. Vincentians will schedule and perform a Home Visit to listen, offer humble advice, and assess your situation to potentially render material or financial assistance. 3. Vincentians will make contact with your service provider to coordinate support and then follow up with you and your family. Find a local Conference Temporary financial assistance is provided to immediately alleviate the suffering of families in distress once information has been obtained and verified by the service provider. Assistance varies from housing, utilities, and other basic needs . Financial assistance is always provided directly to the service provider, not the person in crisis. Policies and protocols help eliminate fraud and abuse. Personal Encounters Vincentians humanize the experience of receiving aid during a crisis and disaster. Vincentians are not case workers. They undergo special training and development to interact in a compassionate manner with diverse populations and communities. Families are provided the dignity they deserve when Vincentians allow the Holy Spirit to guide their interactions.