The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Louis

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis Council
Programs and Services

The core services of the Society are as follows:

Utility assistance, Rent assistance, Food, Clothing, Furniture, Transportation.  These services are provided in 143 area Conferences.  Every Conference has been established to meet the needs in their own specific areas.  Some Conferences have developed special works to meet the needs of their parishes.

 

 

Here are the Programs developed by the Council Office:

 

Good Works Programs

 

Program provides home repair and maintenance services for seniors who wish to stay in their own homes.  A coordinator manages a pool of  between 50 to 100 volunteer trades people who perform repairs for seniors at no cost. Most of the material costs are covered by the program.  This program is open to all 8 Districts of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Louis.

 

 

Victims of Crime Program

 

Program provides immediate services to seniors who are victims of crime.  Funds are available through our Good Works Program to cover the cost of repairing locks, fixing windows and installing dead bolts to make victims feel safe again in their homes. Volunteer Victim of Crime Advocates are trained to provide some counseling and referral advice.  This program is limited to St. Louis City and County residents.

 

 

Victims of Domestic Abuse

 

We receive 3 to 4 calls every week from victims of domestic abuse and we normally refer these callers to other agencies who have expertise in this area. We provide immediate assistance to these callers by offering transportation and accommodation for the first 24 hours before the other agencies get involved.  We also assist with the transition phase when the victims are ready to leave the shelters and start their own homes.  This program is available to all 8 Districts.

 

 

Vinnie’s Autos

 

We are opening a transportation center where donated cars can be repaired and made road worthy for poor people.  By partnering with area Auto shops we take donated cars and have them assessed.  Good cars are made roadworthy and salvage cars are sent to salvage yards.  Qualified clients are referred by Conferences and must have a real need and the ability to maintain a car.  This program is available to all 8 Districts.

 

 

Pharmacy Program

 

Through an arrangement with Express Scripts of St. Louis, the Council provides pharmaceutical vouchers to area Conferences to give to their clients who are uninsured or underinsured.  This program was funded by a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health.  The Vincentians assist the clients in filling out the vouchers.  The client takes the voucher to their doctor who fills in the scrip portion and mails the voucher in the pre-paid envelope to Express Scripts.  Express Scripts fills a 90 day prescription and mails the medicine to the client.  This program is available to all 8 Districts.

 

 

Legal Counseling Program

 

A few young lawyers have stepped forward to provide free legal counseling.  The clinics are held every Friday afternoon at the Council office from 2 to 4.30pm.  If they do not have the expertise to assist a client they are willing to call other lawyers with the skills necessary and ask for some pro bono assistance.  This program is available to all 8 Districts.

 

 

Emergency Education Fund

 

The Emergency Education Fund was established to help families in crisis who need emergency assistance with tuition, books, supplies and other educational needs.  A committee meets monthly to review cases.  This is not a scholarship program.  This program is available to all 8 districts.

 

 

Utility Assistance Programs

 

Through a series of grants the Council office can assist conferences with clients who have amassed large utility bills.  The major funding sources are:

Heat Up St. Louis, Cool Down St. Louis, EFS ( FEMA - Emergency Food and Shelter), Dollar More.  Every funding source has strict guidelines and boundaries.

 

 

Furniture Program

 

Our Thrift Stores use a voucher system to serve clients referred by individual Conferences.  The vouchers are issued to Conferences by the Conference Support Team at the Council Office.  When the client presents a voucher at the store they are entitled to purchase furniture and clothing free of charge up to the amount written on the voucher. 

 

 

Indigent Burial Program

 

Since 1845 the Society has had an Indigent Burial Program to bury people who die without family or friends.  We have a large burial plot in Calvary Cemetery where more than 2800 people are buried.  Referrals are usually made through area morgues and hospitals.  This is a burial program and not a funeral assistance programs.  There is no viewing, embalmment or funeral services.  We have a few deacons who are willing to say prayers at the graveside.

 

 

Lunch Program

 

From Monday through Friday every week the Council office provides sandwiches and a drink to anybody needing a lunch.  We are providing nearly 1000 lunches every month.  These sandwiches are made by different area conferences.

 

 

Fire Victims Program

 

Referrals on behalf of fire victims are usually made through the American Red Cross.  We assist with furniture, clothing, food, utilities and other financial assistance.  This program is possible through the generosity of one our conferences.

 

 

Intake and Referral Program

 

Every month our hot line receives over 1500 calls from people looking for assistance.  Our intake staff refers these people to the nearest conference in their area for utility assistance, food assistance or other emergency help.  The staff are also trained to refer clients to other social services in the community.

 

 

Criminal Justice Ministry Direct Services

 

This program provides emergency help to recently released prisoners.  Bus passes, backpacks are provided to returning prisoners to help them become re-established in the community.

 

 

Release to Rent

 

Release to Rent is a structured housing program for returning prisoners.  A coordinator and case manager assist ex-prisoners find and furnish suitable accommodation.   They also help them find suitable employment and other services.  The success rate is less than 10% recidivism for those who complete the program.

 

 

Project MORE

 

Funded by HUD, Project MORE provides permanent supported housing for 30 chronically homeless disabled men in St. Louis.  A coordinator and case manager assist these men find and furnish suitable accommodation.  They provide long term case management support which includes mental health referrals, substance abuse referrals, medical referrals, employment assistance and help with daily living skills.  This program has won a HUD award for best practices.

 

 

Project Re-Connect

 

This program is funded by St. Louis City and is designed to assist recently released prisoners who have served full terms in the prison system.  These men do not have parole officers and therefore have few support systems available.  The program assists with accommodation and case management supports to help the returning prisoners assimilate back into the community and become productive members of society.

 

 

Project REACH

 

In partnership with St. Patrick Center, our Criminal Justice Ministry provides recruitment and intake services to non-violent ex-offenders. Three staff members are located in St. Patrick Center where they work as a team to provide intake, employment and wraparound services.