For financial assistance, check the Emergency Assistance Network

Introduction

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization of Santa Clara County, leads, supports and guides people to join together to serve persons in need and to grow spiritually, in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and its patron, St. Vincent de Paul. The goal is to provide better services to those in need by supporting the development and growth of St. Vincent de Paul conferences in Santa Clara County. Each year the Society through all operations assists more than 50,000 residents of Santa Clara County. Every St. Vincent de Paul Society thrift store is home to an Emergency Help Desk. Caseworkers at each location provide services below to homeless people, those who do not live in an area served by a Conference and whose situation may demand a greater dedication of time and resources.

Food Rental Transportation Motel Holiday Giveaways Locating Housing Information Utilities Referral

Emergency Services

Initial discussions with clients are held on the phone. Walk-ins are accepted if time permits. After a brief determination of eligibility, clients are given an appointment and asked to bring any needed documentation, e.g. income verification, rental agreements, identification. Determination on assistance is usually made within 24 hours, but exceptions are common, especially if the situation demands fast action. Help Desk caseworkers coordinate the Society's free distribution programs and please call (408) 993-9900 for assistance.

Local Conference Assistance

Santa Clara County Council has over 28 Conferences. The Conferences operate in the Diocese's 52 parishes and provide services such as food pantries, clothing, distribution, employment assistance, mentoring, and the traditional "home visit". A client's situation often requires greater financial resources than an individual Conference or Help Desk can provide. In such case, Conferences often turn to each other to gather the necessary funds from neighboring Conferences to complete assistance. Please visit our Parish Conferences page for local conference information.

Worker Center

With an office in Central San Jose, the Society's day worker center helps men and women locate employment and enhance quality of life for themselves and their families. At the center, clients learn English and other useful business, personal, and cultural skills and obtain access or referrals to health screening, legal assistance and other important services. Please visit our Day Worker page for more info.

The following are stories of successful clients, once assisted by SVDP, which have changed their living situation.

• Ralph is a client that had been homeless for many years. Working side jobs barely making it. He came to our office wondering if there was a way that we could assist with some clothing. We referred him to the San Jose First United church located at Fifth street in San Jose to ask for a voucher for clothing. He came back to our office and told us what was happening with his work situation. He was working for a lady who owned her house. He should have been paid $1700 for a job he completed, although she only paid him $200. He therefore quit his job. We referred him to Ascent Employment at Queen of Apostles and Sacred Heart Job Link. Now, he has a permanent job and home because we assisted him with rental and clothing. He no longer is worried about his living status.
  
  
• Geno is a client who came into SVDP office without a job. He was served with a 3 day eviction notice. He didn't know where he could go to receive assistance. We talked about his skills, and gave him career counseling. We also assisted him with his deposit to move into an apartment. He came up with his rental $1500. He now has his home. His skills are in house painting and landscaping. He received a job offer through a construction company and had been working odd jobs. He now has permanent employment as a painter.