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Follow the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston on all social media! SVdP AGH Website Volunteer Donate Disaster Relief In-kind Donations

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

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.

There are multiple ways you can support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Conveniently donate online. By check, donor-advised funds (DAF), stock, employer-matching gifts, endowments, among others. Thank you for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! Ways to give There are many ways you can bless others in need. Your donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Galveston Houston takes only a moment, but the impact lasts a lifetime. This mission cannot continue without you. If you do not see your choice of giving below, please contact us. DONATE ONLINE YOUR IMPACT BY CHECK EMPLOYER MATCHING OTHER WAYS TO GIVE Mail a Check 
 Payable to "Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston” and mail to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 2403 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77021 Matching gifts amplify impact! Employer matching gift programs enable you to team up and combine your employee benefits and donations to the Society, making a greater impact. If your employer matches gifts, your donation can be doubled or tripled to nonprofit organizations, like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. LEGACY GIVING DONOR ADVISED FUND GIFTS OF STOCK REAL ESTATE WIRE TRANSFER VEHICLES AND MORE! Other Assets and Giving Strategies SVdP Galveston-Houston can accept a wide variety of assets such as: cryptocurrency, art, life insurance, private business interests, or we can help you set up charitable vehicles like gift annuities or charitable trusts that provide income to you or loved ones. There are many ways to give that maximize your impact and tax savings. If you have any questions, need assistance, or have an interest in speaking further about charitable estate planning strategies for yourself or loved ones please reach out! Contact Us Form 832-538-0325 SVdP Galveston-Houston does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with your personal advisors before making financial decisions based on this information. The information presented here is for general information and educational purposes, is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances, and may change at any time without notice. Recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF) through your fund administrator. 
 You can recommend a gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, by contacting your fund administrator or making a grant recommendation online. Estate Gifts If you believe in the mission of SVdP Galveston-Houston, we hope you will consider making us part of your legacy by including us in your estate plans and joining our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service Legacy Society ! You can do this by: Beneficiary Designation of an Account Designate SVdP Galveston-Houston as a beneficiary of a financial account such as a retirement plan, life insurance policy, donor-advised fund, charitable gift annuity, or charitable trust. Bequest in a Will or Trust Include SVdP Galveston-Houston in your will or trust by inserting a provision containing our legal name and federal tax ID: Legal Name: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Address: 2403 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77021 EIN #: 74-1464210 If you include us in your estate plans, please let us know. We would love to welcome and honor you as a member of our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service Legacy Society ! Gifts from Retirement Accounts Making gifts to SVdP Galveston-Houston from traditional retirement accounts can allow you or your heirs to avoid paying income tax on distributions. There are several advantageous ways to give from retirement accounts: 1. Required Minimum Distributions (RMD): If you are over age 72 and are required to distribute funds from your retirement plan, you can satisfy your annual RMD and avoid paying income tax on the distribution by giving directly to SVdP Galveston-Houston. 2. Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) If you are over age 70 ½, you can distribute up to $108,000 per year from your IRA directly to SVdP Galveston-Houston without paying income tax. This counts toward your annual RMD fulfillment. 3. Beneficiary Designation At any age, you can designate SVdP Galveston-Houston as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts. Traditional retirement accounts make for great assets to transfer to tax-exempt charities because heirs have to pay income taxes on distributions! Learn more about becoming a member of our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service Legacy Society by clicking the button below: Legacy Giving Page Charitable tax advantages often make giving stock more beneficial than giving cash. By gifting appreciated stock from your investment account, you may be eligible to: Receive a charitable income tax deduction Eliminate capital gains taxes To transfer shares of public stock to SVdP Galveston-Houston, provide your broker with the following information and notify us at 832-538-0325 or via our contact form of the amount and type of shares given so we can record and acknowledge your donation. Bank Name: Merrill Lynch DTC Number: 8862 Account Name: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Account Number: 582-96B13 Memo: FBO Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Stock Donation Instructions SVdP Galveston-Houston partners with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) to process real estate donations of land, residential, or commercial property. Donating real estate can offer significant tax advantages such as a charitable income tax deduction and savings on capital gains that you would have owed if you sold the property. Contact us to learn more, or begin your donation below: Ready to donate? Start Process To electronically transfer funds to SVdP Galveston-Houston via wire or ACH, please provide the following information to your financial institution that will initiate the wire transfer: To communicate additional information or special instructions, please notify us at 832-538-0325 or contact form . Please provide your name, address, and zip code to allow us to appropriately record and acknowledge your donation. Vehicle Donations Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why should you donate your unwanted car? The income generated from your vehicle donation is used to help those in need. 2. In what condition should my vehicle be in? No matter what condition your vehicle is in, the Society can use the value proceeds to help an individual or family get closer to self-sufficiency. 3. Where do I drop off my vehicle? You don’t. We pick it up for you – for FREE. 5. How will my vehicle donation help? The proceeds help our programs – Home Visit, Food Network, Voucher, and Disaster Relief. 6. Is my vehicle donation tax deductible? YES! Our National Vehicle Donation Program will send you a tax-deductible receipt. 7. What kind of vehicles do you accept? Cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, boats, and more. Ready to donate a vehicle? Start Process 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.

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. 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: 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 your donation is being used effectively—it is important to us, too. Our top priorities encompass prudent stewardship and accountability. We pride ourselves on careful management of operational resources to continuously fulfill the Society's mission.

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 11 is starting soon! The application for the July Session will open up on April 20, 2026. Program supplies pick-up dates are July 16 and 18, 2026. Meetings begin July 27-November 13, 2026. *Dates Subject to Change* Brochure Impact Report Apply Here! 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 Here! 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

← back to homepage Pray With Us Lent is a sacred time of prayer, reflection, and renewal. As we journey together through this season, we invite you to deepen your faith through prayer. Share your intentions with us and explore resources to guide your spiritual growth. How can we pray for you? Lenten resources

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. Spirituality Friendship S ervice 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 prevent homelessness by humanizing the distressing situation of needing assistance during a crisis or disaster. Vincentians are volunteer members who undergo special training and development to conduct home visits compassionately with diverse populations and communities. Families are provided the dignity they deserve when Vincentians allow the Holy Spirit to guide their interactions. Prevention of Homelessness 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 Galveston Houston Conference

Val Senegal CEO Kirk Vogeley Finance Sandra Achury CPO Council Board Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Patricia Dornak President Deacon Charlie Buhay Spiritual Advisor Janice Chatham District 4 President Franchelle Lee At-Large Member William "Bill" Murto Vice President Vivian Salazar District 1 President Ladd Puskus District 5 President Rick Plaeger At-Large Member Chase Angelle Treasurer Patricia Davis District 2 President Robin Riley District 6 President Angelique Pereira Secretary Robert "Bob" Miller District 3 President Yolanda Capelo District 7 President Val Senegal CEO/ Executive Director Sandra Achury Chief Program Officer Kirk Vogeley Director of Finance

Support our 2026 Black Bag Campaign to end the poverty gap in Galveston-Houston! ← back to homepage