Society of St Vincent de Paul

Society of St Vincent de Paul

The St Vincent de Paul Society is a lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live the gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society.

The St Vincent de Paul Society aspires to be recognised as a caring Catholic charity offering “a hand up” to people in need. We do this by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

The good works of the Society in the Maitland/Newcastle Diocesan Central Council include 50 Conferences where members come together to grow their spirituality by seeing Christ in the poor and providing friendship and material assistance to those in need; 29 Vinnies shops that sell good quality donated items; the Matthew Talbot Centre, a specialist homeless service for men and men with children and an outreach program supporting families to maintain their tenancy; Ability Links Hunter and Central Coast, supporting people living with a disability to engage fully in their local community and encouraging inclusion for all; Compeer is a friendship program for those living with a mental illness; outreach counselling; Kids camps and Buddies Days for disadvantaged children, and Mini Vinnies groups in most Catholic schools; student accommodation in Tighes Hill; support for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; a NILS (No Interest Loans Scheme) program; a Breakfast Club at East Maitland; medium-term accommodation at Cessnock and Forster; an overseas aid program supporting local programs and students.