St Vincent de Paul Society NSW

Members of the St Francis Xavier’s Conference in Wollongong recently marked a significant milestone—100 years of continuous service to the community! 🙌 A special commemorative mass, led by Bishop Brian Mascord, celebrated this historic achievement alongside the 2024 Festival Mass. The mass highlighted the ongoing impact of the Society across the Wollongong Diocese, which now includes over 30 active Conferences providing essential support to communities across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands, Campbelltown, and Camden regions. In the past year alone, these Conferences assisted 12,000+ people, contributing over $1.5 million in support. Locally, the St Francis Xavier Conference provided vital assistance to over 300 individuals with food, housing, transport, and more. Learn more about the St Francis Xavier Conference’s 100-year journey and the impact of their work: https://lnkd.in/gKy9imfd

Meet our NSW State Council President - Peter Houweling! Peter has dedicated decades to putting his Catholic social justice values into action through the St Vincent de Paul Society. Recently elected as NSW State Council President, he feels honoured to follow in the footsteps of Vincentians before him, contributing to the transformative work of an international organisation dedicated to the welfare of all people. Peter’s journey began in the 1970s, when he first got involved through St John the Evangelist Parish in Dapto. He quickly learned the importance of friendship, service, and prayer in the Society’s work. “As a steward, you're obligated to uphold the values and ethos that those past members cherished — it's our responsibility.” Now, as State President, Peter remains committed to advocacy and social justice, inspired by Blessed Frederic Ozanam’s belief that the Society must not only alleviate poverty but challenge the systemic issues that perpetuate it. Learn more about Peter’s leadership and his vision for the future: https://lnkd.in/gM3yRwcS

As the year comes to an end, we’re proud to release our 2023-24 Annual Report. This is an opportunity to look back on all that we have achieved over the past year and the incredible contributions of our teams across NSW. The last financial year saw our Conference members, frontline workers, volunteers and employees make an immense difference to thousands of people in the face of challenging circumstances. The need for assistance is deeply concerning yet speaks to the capacity of the Society to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people across the state. As we move together to address hardship, it is important to acknowledge what we’ve achieved, recognise why our work is important and to know that a better future is possible. Some of the impact we’ve made in the last financial year includes: 🫶 Our members supported close to 100,000 people with food, clothing, household bills, material assistance, advocacy and emotional support 🫶 11,800 people were supported by our Vinnies Services across Homelessness and Housing, Health, and Disability and Inclusion 🫶 Our Vinnies Vans assisted 102,000 people across the state 🫶 $13.7 million in financial and material aid was provided to people in need through our members 🫶 60,700 hours of support provided through our members, increasing by 20% from last year 🫶 700 people supported through the No Interest Loans scheme The hard work of all our people has been instrumental in making this possible. We would also like to thank every donor, customer, corporate partner and volunteer, and supporter who have helped ensure that we can deliver and sustain our impact. The Annual Report is a testament to the collective efforts of everyone involved, highlighting the achievements we’ve accomplished together. To read the full report, visit https://lnkd.in/gHxJbzGJ

Fred’s Place in Tweed Heads is making a huge impact in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. This Vinnies-run hub offers a safe space where individuals can access essential services like showers, meals, and clean clothes. But it’s more than just that—Fred’s Place provides the care and support needed to help people rebuild their lives. For Dwayne, Fred’s Place was a turning point. After experiencing homelessness, he found the support he needed—from immediate care to assistance with housing. “It’s a good place to come and they treat people how you expect to be treated,” Dwayne shares. Thanks to Fred’s Place, Dwayne now has stable housing and a solid foundation for his future. Fred’s Place is proof that with compassion and the right support, lives can be transformed. Want to learn more about the incredible work being done at Fred’s Place? Check out the full story: https://lnkd.in/gDvYgBup

The holiday season is an especially important time for us to connect with those in our community who are suffering from disadvantage. Vinnies Vans are making a real difference across NSW, providing meals, toiletries, and support to those experiencing homelessness, financial stress, or social isolation. These mobile outreach vehicles not only offer essentials but also a warm, welcoming space for individuals to connect, share a chat, and access resources they need to improve their situation. As Yolanda Saiz, CEO of Vinnies NSW, puts it, “For many people that we see on these vans, when we come across them it’s the first time that day, they’ve spoken to someone. It also addresses that loneliness and gives them a sense of community.” Last year, Vinnies Vans helped over 102,000 people, serving 95,000+ meals and distributing 85,000 snack packs. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gN7CHNpQ

The holiday season is an especially important time for us to connect with those in our community who are suffering from disadvantage. Vinnies Vans are making a real difference across NSW, providing meals, toiletries, and support to those experiencing homelessness, financial stress, or social isolation. These mobile outreach vehicles not only offer essentials but also a warm, welcoming space for individuals to connect, share a chat, and access resources they need to improve their situation. As Yolanda Saiz, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, puts it, “For many people that we see on these vans, when we come across them it’s the first time that day, they’ve spoken to someone. It also addresses that loneliness and gives them a sense of community.” Last year, Vinnies Vans helped over 102,000 people, serving 95,000+ meals and distributing 85,000 snack packs. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gN7CHNpQ

Our members are making a tangible difference in the lives of those facing hardship, and a recent report from The McKell Institute provides the data to back it up. The ‘Immediate Aid, Measurable Impact’ report examined the effectiveness of our emergency relief programs, revealing that in 2023, over 95,000 people were supported. The findings are compelling: ~ More than 80% of those surveyed expressed satisfaction with the support they recieved. ~ Nearly 4 in 5 reported that the aid helped them progress towards stability and self-sufficiency. ~ 89% of respondents felt that receiving support reduced their stress and improved their overall well-being. This report highlights the vital role our services play in early intervention, especially during times of financial strain. We are proud to be a lifeline for those in need and grateful to our members for their dedication. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gTGewGSd

As we near Christmas and the end of another year, we would like to take a moment to thank you for your support of the Society throughout 2024. The hard work of our members, employees and volunteers has made a difference in the lives of so many and we couldn't do it without the generosity of the people who support us. This time of year can be particularly difficult for many Australians. Some are separated from family, facing financial struggles, or dealing with mental health issues, homelessness, hunger, or domestic and family violence. Our mission is more important than ever during this season, when the need for compassion and care is most needed. For those of you who celebrate Christmas, we hope the timeless message of peace, joy, and love fills your heart and home. For those who may not celebrate Christmas, we trust this time of year still offers you an opportunity for rest, reflection, and connection. In our busy world, it’s important we take time to pause, care for one another, and be mindful of the struggles others may face. In line with Catholic social teachings, this is also a time for solidarity and looking out for the most vulnerable. Christmas invites us to reflect on our shared humanity and to act in the spirit of love, compassion, and justice for all, especially those who are marginalised or in need. 2024 has seen us accomplish so much, and as we look to 2025, there are even more chances to make a real difference in the lives of those often left behind. Once again, thank you and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year🎄 Yolanda Saiz

Vinnies' only clearance centre in the heart of the Illawarra is a treasure trove of pre-loved goodies. Our unique bulk buy outlet offers deeply discounted pre-loved items, and is helping families facing tough times get ready for Christmas without the heavy price tag. "The point of difference to this store is that we do bulk buys here,” says Lisa Kallas, Retail Cluster Manager in an interview with WIN Television. “With the cost of living and the amount of people needing help, being able to grab their children some clothes, some toys… it really has made a difference.” The proceeds from sales at Vinnies shops supports over 12,000 people in the Illawarra region annually, funding essential services for those in need. Visit the Vinnies Wollongong Clearance shop: https://lnkd.in/g4X2v7Cd