Q: What is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?
A: Established in France in 1833, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization established by Frederic Ozanam, a law student at the Sorbonne University. Named after St. Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of Christian charity, the Society was founded to alleviate human suffering and aid the poor in meeting their basic needs.
Q: Who was St. Vincent de Paul?
A: St. Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 in France and is the Patron Saint of Charity. In 1625, he established the Congregation of the Mission, now known as the Vincentians, a community of priests who undertook to renounce ecclesiastical advancement and to devote themselves to work in small towns and villages in France. In an age of sectarian strife, he instructed his priests that Protestants were to be treated as brothers, with respect and love. Out of his community rose an order of nuns called the Daughters (or Sisters) of charity, devoted to nursing those who were sick and poor. St. Vincent de Paul died on September 27, 1660. He is the Patron Saint of Charity.
Q: Who was Blessed Frederic Ozanam?
A: Frederic Ozanam was born on April 23, 1813 in Milan. Frederic was raised in Lyon, France and was sent to Paris to study law. In 1833, he founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with a group of other young men at the Sorbonne University of Paris. Frederic Ozanam was not a priest, but a layman who married and had a family. The Society spread very quickly throughout Europe and the world. Frederic Ozanam died in 1853 at the age of 40. He was beatified by Pope Paul John II in Paris in August, 1997.
Q: What is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Southwest Idaho District Council, Inc?
A: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Southwest Idaho District Council, Inc. (SVdP) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 1997 to improve the lives of people in our community.
Q: Whom do you help?
A: We help anyone in need of assistance, regardless of race, creed or origin. The people we assist include the homeless, elderly, sick, economically disadvantaged and working poor.
Q: How do you help people?
A: SVdP operates social services programs that assist thousands of people per year in meeting basic needs such as food, clothing, financial assistance (i.e. rental assistance, assistance with utility bills). SVdP coordinates a network of more than 120 volunteers known as Vincentians. Vincentians make home visits, providing solace and support for the elderly, sick and homebound, and others at risk of isolation.
Please refer to our Programs/Services pages for more information.
Q: How do I volunteer?
A: SVdP loves volunteers. We have a continuing need for individuals and groups to work on one-time projects or ongoing basis. Please refer to our Volunteer Time & Services to find out how you can help.
Q: How can I make a financial contribution?
A: There are several ways for you to make financial contributions. You can send a check/money order to:
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Southwest Idaho District Council, Inc.
Development Office
3217 W. Overland Road
Boise, Idaho 83705
You can also make financial contributions online. Please refer to the Ways to Give section of our website.
Q: Do you have to be Catholic to receive services or to volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?
A: No. You do not need to be Catholic to either receive assistance or volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. We help people regardless of their religious beliefs and accept volunteers from all religions.
Q: How can I receive assistance?
A: If you need assistance visit our Programs/Services pages for a list of the Programs and Services we provide. Our Contact Us page lists phone numbers and addresses you may find helpful.
If you have any questions that have not been answered here, please Contact Us and we will be happy to do all we can to answer them.
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