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When disaster strikes, the Society responds with a coordinated network of Parish Recovery Assistance Centers ready to help. DISASTER RELIEF Natural disasters have left significant damage in our area, and we understand many are still trying to recover, rebuild their lives, and restore their hope. Although we are not first responders, our membership network synergistically collaborates with other organizations during disasters to ensure comprehensive support for all affected communities. We encourage you to utilize the resources provided below to assist neighbors in need so that our impact can be meaningful during times of crisis. Donate to Emergency Relief Fund Those needing assistance must call the 211 Texas United Way HELPLINE. 211 helpline Download the Household Disaster Preparedness Plan (English) Household Disaster Preparedness Plan (Spanish) Start preparing today with our free, printable, and fillable preparedness plan which i ncludes: • Fill-in-the-blank emergency contact list • First steps to take after a disaster • Go Bag checklist • Special considerations for kids, pets, and seniors. 211 helpline 211 helpline 211 helpline FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Locator The Texas Division of Emergency Management iSTAT Damage Assessment Connective Connective Needs Assessment Registry Crisis Cleanup Www.crisiscleanup.org Road Conditions Houston Transtar Incident/Traffic Map FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance by visiting www.disasterassistance.org , calling 1-800-621-3362 , or using the FEMA App . FEMA Assistance Disaster Distress National Hotline The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is a national hotline that provides disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. DDH Helpline Want to help when a disaster strikes? Get Involved Ways to Give

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The Society is an international organization founded in 1833 in Paris, France. It was locally established in 1871 in Galveston, TX. History In 1833, a 20-year-old college student and his friends began serving the poor in Paris, France. This was the beginning of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Today, there are more than 777,000 members serving in 149 countries around the globe. The Society arrived in the United States in 1845, where the first conference was formed in St. Louis, Missouri. The first presence of the Society in the Galveston-Houston area was in 1871 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Galveston. Today, there are 58 Conferences in the Galveston-Houston Council with more than 1,900 members growing spiritually through friendship and service to those in need. Timeline (1871-2021) Our Patrons & Founders The Society's Patron Saint St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) was the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Confraternities of Charity, and Ladies of Charity. He was a man of deep faith, keen intellect, and enormous creativity, he has become known as the "The Apostle of Charity" and "Father of the Poor." His contributions to the training of priests and organizing parish missions and other services for the poor shaped our Church's role in the modern world. St. Vincent de Paul Feast day is September 27th. The Society's Sister St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) had St. Vincent de Paul as her spiritual director. Her inherent desire to know and accomplish God's will blossomed into a life of ministry to those who were sick and destitute. Her contagious spirituality and strong, organizational ability led her to co-found with Vincent the Daughters of Charity, a group of sisters who serve the poor and who inspire our Society. St. Louise de Marillac Feast day is May 9th. The Society's Founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853) founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a young Sorbonne student who met regularly with his fellow Catholic students to discuss the issues of their time. At one of their public meetings, a challenger admitted the Catholic Church, at one time, had been a great source of good, but asked, “What is your Church doing now?… Show us your works and we will believe you.” Unable to respond, Frédéric conceded. Shortly afterward, Frédéric and six friends created the Conference of Charity, with the purpose of serving the poor of Paris. Frédéric and his friends provided food, clothing, shelter, financial, and spiritual help. They also established tutoring programs and libraries. Blessed Frederic's Feast day is September 9th. The Society's Mentor Blessed Rosalie Rendu, DC (1786 - 1856) was a Daughter of Charity who served for 54 years in the Mouffetard area, the most impoverished district of Paris. Emmanuel Bailly, the President of the Society, sent the founding members of the Society to Sister Rosalie for guidance and direction. Sending them on home visits, she formed them in the spirit of St. Vincent, teaching them how to serve the poor with respect and compassion. Blessed Rosalie's Feast day is February 7th.

Welcome Vincentians! Find the information you need here. Get Involved Don't waste time, talents or treasures. Share your gifts with the world. Invest in your community now. Join us in spiritual growth to increase our mission's impact! Vincentians are active or associate members of the Society who God calls to grow in spirituality through friendships and service in the communities of Galveston Houston. Application An Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston requirement is that everyone complete the virtual Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Virtus training (Safe Haven or Safe Environment) and authorize a background check before performing service on parish property. This must be renewed every 5 years . SAFE HAVEN No time but some treasure? DONATE Conferences A Conference is a parish or community-based chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston. There are currently more than 50 active Conferences operating throughout the Galveston-Houston area. Each Conference has a leadership team: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Spiritual Advisor. More than 1.7k Vincentians are growing spiritually as friends to serve those in need. Vincentians A Vincentian is the name given to a commissioned member of the Society. Vincentians put their faith into action by responding to the needs of people regardless of race, creed, age, gender, or legal status. The vocation of a Vincentian is to follow Christ through service to those in need and bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment by visiting people in their homes and performing special works to alleviate the suffering of those in crisis.

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. Case Management System Benefits: Automate and simplify the filing of Monthly Conference Reports and provide cons istency in reporting among all Conferences in the Archdiocese. Maintain records of all assistance provided to neighbors in need for tracking and simplified audits by the Council. Compile demographic and financial data to use in obtaining funds. Simplify bank account reconciliation. Simplify Food Pantry reporting. CMS 4.0 Browser Edition Supported Operating Systems (OS): Windows 8 or Higher, Mac OS, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS It is highly suggested that you bookmark the CMS 4.0 direct link or this page for quick access What's new? CMS Release Note v4.1.011 Situation tab is only two forms instead of three. Attachment can be upload at any point in the visit flow The "Merge" button has been moved to the left to avoid accidental activation. Option to navigate and review cases before auto-closing Contact AskCMSCommittee@svdphouston.org Watch Training Videos Login CLICK HERE CMS Need user guides? Scroll down for more resources. Have a question? Send an email to AskCMSCommittee@svdphouston.org Case Management Case intake & Worker Instructions Case Intake Training slides Casew orker Training slides Treasury Converting a pledge to a check request Issuing a check USER GUIDES Food Pantry Pantry Closeout Instructions Administrative Client Merge Instructions

Getting Ahead Program Membership Engagement

The Society provides immediate relief to families during crisis and aims to lift people out of poverty by addressing the conditions that cause it. Programas SVdP La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl se preocupa no sólo por aliviar la angustia sino también por identificar las condiciones que la causan. Iniciativa de comunidades desatendidas 01 01 01 01 This initiative includes a grant program that enables constrained Conferences to provide financial assistance to neighbors in underserved areas during times of crises. Volunteer members, Vincentians, commit to building a healthy, vibrant conference to continuously serve at-risk and distressed areas of Greater Houston when these communities face financial hardships. Underserved Communties Home Visit Program Alivio de desastres Programa Salir Adelante Getting Ahead Graduate Getting Ahead Alumni Sistémico Cambiar Iniciativa Después de recibir el pescado durante la crisis, la Sociedad se centra en enseñar a las personas a pescar para alimentar a sus familias durante toda la vida. La Iniciativa de Cambio Sistémico incluye tres programas de desarrollo de resiliencia diseñados para cambiar la respuesta conductual a la pobreza. Los participantes examinan los recursos necesarios para lograr los objetivos de sostenibilidad y luego diseñan la hoja de ruta para construir un futuro mejor y salir de la pobreza. 02 02 02 02 Alimento Red 03 03 03 03 Despensas vecinales en todo el área metropolitana de Houston. Food Pantries Home Visit Program Sistémico Cambiar Iniciativa Después de recibir el pescado durante la crisis, la Sociedad se centra en enseñar a las personas a pescar para alimentar a sus familias durante toda la vida. La Iniciativa de Cambio Sistémico incluye tres programas de desarrollo de resiliencia diseñados para cambiar la respuesta conductual a la pobreza. Los participantes examinan los recursos necesarios para lograr los objetivos de sostenibilidad y luego diseñan la hoja de ruta para construir un futuro mejor y salir de la pobreza. 04 04 04 04 Alimento Red 05 05 05 05 Despensas vecinales en todo el área metropolitana de Houston. Disaster Relief

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 Cohort 10 is starting soon! Program supplies pick-up dates are January 15 and 17, 2026 Classes begin January 26, 2026 - May 15, 2026 The application for the July Session will open up in May 2026 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. 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. Systemic Change Requires YOUR Help Ways to Give

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