Helping Families

Unfortunately, it takes only one missed rent/mortgage payment, unpaid utility bill or other unmet financial obligation to turn a temporary financial setback into a true financial crisis. At the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, one of our goals is to prevent families from experiencing the downward spiral that results when they are not able to pay their bills because of an emergency or unexpected event like unemployment, illness, natural disaster, and other impromptu mistakes that are so easy to make and so hard to overcome. For most families, the Society acts as a safety net, helping them get back on their feet after a difficult time. For others, we are the change agent that helps them become financially independent over a period of time.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Family Assistance Program offers families in crisis the financial aid they need to ease some of their monthly financial burdens, and take the steps they need to get back on their feet. By helping families with their financial obligations, they are able to gradually pull themselves out of their mounting debt. In fact, in most cases, families receiving this assistance will only require a one-time payment to get their bills up-to-date, after which they are caught up and able to manage their household needs again.

In addition to financial help, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers counseling and budget assistance to help those families stay in control of their finances. Vincentian volunteers follow up with families in the program to document their progress and access their current and future needs. In addition, Vincentians remain involved with the family until financial problems are resolved. This personalized support truly makes a difference in the lives of our “Family Assistance” recipients, and makes the program one with countless success stories of lives made better due to the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Family Assistance Success Stories

Family Assistance Success Story #1