The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing and healing individuals
and families in our community who have no where else to turn for help. Just as important, SVdP provides meaningful opportunities for volunteers to serve their neighbors in need with love and compassion.

SVdP has been serving our community throughout central and northern Arizona since 1946.

Programs include:

• Services for the homeless

• Medical and dental care for the working poor

• Charity dining rooms that serve thousands each day

• Food boxes for hungry families

• Thrift stores throughout the region

• A bridge housing shelter

• General assistance for individuals in need

We provide help for people's physical, mental, and spiritual needs.
 By doing this with care and respect, we show them that they matter and they are children of God.

For more information contact:

623-289-6744.  Press 7 to leave a message -- 
or email at [email protected]

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…I needed clothes and you clothed me… for whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” [Matthew 25:35 and 40]

This Bible verse is Christ’s call to charitable acts of mercy. The St. Steven’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is pleased to share with you how, in 2023, our parishioners went above and beyond to answer Christ’s call to provide food, water, housing, and clothing to the least of our brothers and sisters through your generous and gracious contributions to SVdP.

To provide a brief overview, SVdP was founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam. As a worldwide organization of lay Catholics, the members known as Vincentians follow the principle and spirit of St. Vincent de Paul by answering Christ’s call to serve the poor, the suffering, and the deprived.

After being dormant for over a year, the St. Stevens Conference of SVdP was recommissioned in the Fall of 2022 at the directive of our Parochial Administrator, Father Wilfred Yinah, V.C.  A Vincentian himself, Father Wilfred recognized the importance of having an active SVdP in our church to serve our neighbors in need. Our conference is grateful for his ongoing and zealous support.

 St. Steven’s SVdP Conference now consists of 21 Vincentians who are serving the community by doing God’s work with resources entrusted to our conference. This work would not be possible without the compassionate and constant support of our kind-hearted and charitable-minded parishioners. The following reflects how, in 2023, our  parishioners provided much needed financial and in-kind contributions, along with the service hours and work provided by dedicated Vincentians in performing charitable acts of mercy in our community through spiritual care, financial assistance, and in-kind support to our neighbors in need.
 

• Our SVdP conference held three 5^th Sunday collections totaling $16,374.61.  Another will be held December 30-31.
• Requests on the Help Line were answered with 16 home visits assisting with utilities, rent, car payments, food gift cards, and other necessities totaling $19,193.18.  
• The summer water drive raised $8239 for the homeless living on the streets. 
• Parishioners donated $6548.88 in back-to-school supplies for St. Peter Indian Mission School.
• The winter clothing drive raised $3924 in clothing for the homeless.
• St Steven’s parishioners donated four bikes to the St. Vincent de Paul Diocese bike drive.
• The food drive for St. Peter Indian Mission resulted in $13,640 in non-perishable items.
• Vincentians and volunteers prepared over 4000 sandwiches and snack bags for the Diocese Watkins dining facility, served a meal at the Mesa dining facility, and made mats from recycled grocery bags.  
• In total, 1871.5 service hours were donated by Vincentians and volunteers. 

We could not have done this without your help. Because of you, someone’s life has been changed for the better.  Thanks to you, someone has been touched by the loving hand of God.  For 2024, we humbly ask for your continued financial and in-kind support, your participation in service activities, and, most of all, your prayers for the work of our conference, and especially for our neighbors in need. Together, let us be the hands and feet of Jesus.

This mother has two daughters, Alessandra, 5 years old, and Angela, 20 years old, who is severely disabled. Angela was a healthy vibrant child until, at age 2, she became ill with a high fever. During her hospital stay, she fell into a coma and now has severe brain damage. Angela is on a feeding tube and surrounded by life-saving machines. The mother got certified by the State and has taken various classes to be Angela's full-time nurse. The State of Arizona pays her $20.00 an hour, 50 hours a week, giving this mother about $4500.00 a month. Angela’s SSI is about $980. When she can find someone to stay with the girls, the mother will clean houses.

The mother's husband was self-employed, earning decent pay, but was deported. He attempted to get a hardship Visa but was denied. This mother is on her own with her two daughters. The pay from the State and Angela's SSI support, has paid the bills. However, recently, Angela was admitted to the hospital for 4 months. The mother’s wages were suspended. During Angela's stay at the hospital, the mother's stress was so great she had a minor stroke while at her daughter's bedside. She was treated immediately and is doing well, considering.

This mother would move mountains if she could. She has sought help from numerous agencies including Maricopa County's Rental aid program, CPLC, Section 8, etc., All have said they have no funds or her income disqualifies her, including Food Stamps. The State has restarted the mother’s work status and she hopes to find a way to reduce her mortgage payments. She is sustainable.

These are her financial needs and aid received:
NEEDS: Mortgage: 5 months in arrears $15,620.
PAID: Van to transport Angela, $2561. THANK YOU ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVOUX
PAID: APS $1381.49 THANK YOU LORI SOBEL IN JPII MINISTRIES
District 12 twinned $2000. Our Conference’s Financial Guidelines allowed us to twin $1000.
Other districts and conferences in the Phoenix diocese contributed and we reached the goal!

This is St. Vincent de Paul, helping those less fortunate. This is what we do.
Feed, Clothe. House. Heal. Because of you, we are able to do great things.
Thank you, St. Stevens Parish!