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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.

← back to homepage Thank you to supporters like you! Your generosity has allowed the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to help families and neighbors in need across the greater Galveston-Houston area since 1871. Thank you for helping us continue this vital work. Donate today.

Unleash the Power of Catholic Giving through the annual Black Bag Collection benefiting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 2026 Black Bag Collection JULY , 2026 MEDIA KIT FOR PARISHES & CONFERENCES DONATE NOW History FlockNote Graphics DOWNLOAD PDF GUIDE Bulletins Social Media Contact Us What is the Black Bag Collection? The Black Bag Collection is an annual opportunity for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to reach more than 1.7 million Catholics in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and ask for their help to support the poor and vulnerable in our community. The collection is a symbol of ONE SOCIETY coming together to help those in need. We rely heavily on this major source of funds for the Society to continue to accommodate the needs of our brothers and sisters who are without basic life essentials—most of which we so often take for granted. 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. This year's Black Bag Collection will be a special or 2nd collection at all parishes during the weekend of JULY , 2026 . Bulletin Announcements ENGLISH Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 12-13, 2026 . Donations will help the Society provide food and financial assistance to families struggling to make ends meet. With the increasing cost of living, your support can make a difference. SPANISH La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul los invita a participar en la Colecta Anual de la Bolsa Negra el 12-13 de Julio del 2026 . Sus donaciones ayudaran la misión de proveer necesidades básicas, como comida, ayuda financiera, a familias con escasos recursos. VIETNAMESE Xin hỗ trợ chương trình gây quỹ hằng năm của Hội Thánh Vinh Sơn Phaolô vào cuối tuần ngày 12-13, Tháng Bảy năm 2026 . Mọi đóng góp sẽ được dùng vào việc mua thực phẩm, quần áo, yểm trợ tài chính cho những gia đình gặp hoàn cảnh khó khăn. Với lạm phát đang gia tăng, sự đóng góp của quý vị có thể thay đổi cuộc sống của họ. Flocknote/Email Messages Email #1 Send around July 1, 2026 (Subject Line) July 12-13, 2025: Annual Black Bag Collection The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be holding their Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 12-13, 2026. Our parish needs your help to support one of the oldest Catholic organizations serving the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. There are more than 1.7 million Catholics in our Archdiocese. With your help, we can strengthen our network of charity programs that provide food, clothing, and financial assistance to the struggling working-poor in our area. Donate or learn more about the Black Bag collection at: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag . Email #2 Send around July 10, 2026 (Subject Line) July 12-13, 2025: Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection is the organization’s single, largest fundraiser. The funds raised are used towards program support and general operations support to keep the programs running. Please consider making a gift this weekend July 12-13, 2026 , in support of the Society. Last year, your support helped over 100,000 people! Learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community impact at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag . . Social Media Posts The parish social media coordinator can use these posts to help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spread the word about the Black Bag Collection. Please make sure to tag the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in your social media posts! Find us on social media using the accounts below or look for us under Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. If you cannot find us, please use #SVDPHouston. Post #1 Publish the week of June 8, 2025 Mark your calendar! JULY 12-13, 2025. Join your fellow parishioners in donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Unlike many of our local Catholic organizations, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not receive DSF funding. Your generosity will help their programs serve people in our community with food, financial assistance, and other much needed basic needs. Visit their website for more information: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag #SVDPHouston Post #4 Publish the week of July 6, 2025 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection will be active between JULY 12-13, 2025. Please be generous in your giving during this weekend's special collection. Thank you for all your support in ensuring the success of the Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. #SVDPHouston Post #2 Publish the week of June 15 , 2025 Join your fellow parishioners this month in supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, one of Houston’s oldest Catholic organizations serving the needs of the poor through their unique Home Visit Ministry. A 2nd collection will be held JULY 12-13, 2025. In 2025, SVdP Houston helped 6,300 families with rental assistance. The average assistance provided was $486 per household. Check out their 2024 Impact Report to learn more about their mission: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston Post #3 Publish the week of Ju ne 30 , 2025 Please consider donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection next weekend, JULY 12-13, 2025, to continue fueling the services provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Last year, volunteers of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spent 132,000 hours serving our friends and neighbors in need across the Greater Houston area. Our communities are stronger because of these amazing volunteers. Their contributions are a critical component of SVdP Houston's core mission of providing person-to-person service to all in need. Learn more at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston Downloadable Graphics to Share Please feel free to download any or all of these graphics to share via Flocknote, social media posts or in your parish bulletin. Questions? If you have any questions, please contact us here or call 832-538-0325 . Thank you for your active participation and partnership in this annual campaign!

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been serving the greater Houston area since 1871. Essential elements include spirituality, friendship, and service. Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Galveston - Houston A volunteer member organization that serves underserved communities regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender, religious or political affiliations. About The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a 501c3 non-profit organization established with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 1871. It includes a network of more than 50 chapters, known as Conferences , with over 1,900 volunteers, and a large network of food & clothing pantries. As ONE Society, all members, known as Vincentians , work synergistically with community organizations to keep people housed in their homes by providing financial assistance to evade homelessness, keep utilities connected, and food on the table. Mission Inspired by Gospel values, we grow spiritually through person to person service to all in need in our community. Our actions promote the dignity of the person, alleviate suffering and distress, while addressing the conditions that cause them through systemic change. Vision We are a community actively living our faith by loving and providing hope to our neighbors. We envision a future where access to financial and social resources is not limited by where one lives. Essential Elements SPIRITUALITY FRIENDSHIP SERVICE Organizational Structure The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston - Houston is part of the South Central Region. Regional Structure International Council The International Council is Located in Paris, France and represents over 100 countries. National Council (U.S) National Council, located in St. Louis, Missouri, supports all Archdiocesan Council across the USA and reports to the International Council. (Arch) Diocesan Council Our Council office supports our Districts and Conferences to promote the Society's mission and reports to our National Office. District Council 7 District councils uniting and supporting our conferences. Our districts report to our Archdiocesan Council. Greater Houston Conferences We have 50+ Conferences reporting to District and Archdiocesan Council.

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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

← back to homepage SUPPORT OUR MISSION. We are a community actively living our faith by loving and providing hope to our neighbors in need. We envision a future where access to financial and social resources is not limited by where one lives. Donate JOIN US. MAKE AN IMPACT. Vincentians are active or associate members of the Society who God calls to grow in spirituality through friendships and service. Use your gifts and talents to create a legacy of impact across the Greater Houston communities. Learn How

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