Society of St Vincent de Paul

Founded in 1833 by a group of young university students, the Society of St Vincent de Paul is a volunteer, spiritual organisation within the Catholic Church whose members strive to put their faith in action by serving the poor in our community.

The Society is a lifeline for more than 1.6 million people in Australia each year. One of the essential philosophies of the Society is the paradigm of charity together with justice; to address the causes as well as the symptoms of poverty.

While the Society of St Vincent de Paul often conjures images of second-hand clothing stores or refuges for homeless men, the works of the Society extend into virtually every field of need. This includes home, hospital and prison visitation; family care and support; hostels and nursing homes for the aged; drug and alcohol centres; living skills programs; women's, youth and family refuges; and crisis centres. Most importantly, in all its work, the Society respects the dignity of those it assists.

What We Do
Special works of the Society in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle include 26 family centres (second-hand stores); a home for the aged in New Lambton; student accommodation in Tighes Hill; a hostel for homeless men in Wickham; emergency accommodation for families and women in Cessnock and Forster; a youth drop-in centre at Taree; outreach counselling; recreational camps for disadvantaged children; a recycling operation; budget counselling; disaster welfare and a food bank at Beresfield.

Contact Us
Diocesan President: Mr Col Parker
Mail Address: PO Box 64, Islington 2296
Ph: (02) 4967 6277 or Fax: (02) 4967 6233
Email: vinnies@hunterlink.net.au
Website: www.vinnies.org.au