FAQ's

A - The Society provides the following services:

•    Advocacy
•    Aged Care facilities
•    Budget counselling
•    Care and support centres
•    Childcare services
•    Children's activities and holiday programs
•    Disability services
•    Disaster recovery
•    Drug and alcohol rehabilitation services
•    Emergency accommodation
•    Employment support services
•    Friendship programs for people with a mental illness
•    Home and hospital visitation
•    Homeless accommodation and support services
•    Low-cost food outlets
•    Migrant and refugee support services
•    Mobile food services
•    Overseas support programs
•    Prison visitation
•    Refuge accommodation for women and children
•    School-base mentoring programs
•    Self-care aged units
•    Subsidised accommodation for tertiary students
•    Support programs for people with a mental illness
•    Supported employment for people with a physical or mental disability
•    Tutoring program for refugees
•    Vinnies Centres
•    Volunteer programs
•    Youth drop-in centres
•    Youth programs

*Not all services are available in each state

A - Yes. Our members and volunteers enjoy a wide range of activities. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you can contact your local conference through the nearest Vinnies Centre or call the St Vincent de Paul Society in your State.

A - In 1854, Fr Gerald Ward established the Society to assist people affected by the rapidly expanding immigrant population.
 
With the discovery of gold in 1851 and the rush to the goldfields of central Victoria, the population doubled and homeless, deserted children roamed the streets.
 
Fr Ward suggested that the main reason why the first Australian conference was for “the protection of male and female orphans.”
 
In a submission to the government of the day, Fr Ward stated that the new conference aimed at “the relief of the destitute, in a manner as much as possible permanently beneficial and the visitation of the poor families.”

A - A “conference” is a local parish group of Society men and women which is established within a local area to provide assistance to people in need through home visitation and other initiatives.
Conference members meet regularly to provide mutual support, spiritual reflection and discuss how best to respond to the people they assist. Conferences are the basic unit of organisation.

A - See table below

A - Vinnies Centres resource local conference activities, providing clothing or furniture free of charge to struggling families or individuals identified through the home visitation process. Goods donated at Vinnies Centres assist this process but remaining stock is also sold to the public at reasonable prices thus generating revenue which helps fund the Society’s work within the community.

A - The St Vincent de Paul Society was established in Paris 1833.

A - In Paris 1833, the people were experiencing tremendous political and social upheaval due to changes of government, the Industrial Revolution and unjust employment practices.
 
Frederic Ozanam gathered some colleagues and began to respond in practical ways to the poverty and hardship he saw in the lives of people around him. They visited people in their homes and offered friendship and support. This practice, known today as “home visitation”, remains the core activity of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

A - No. Although the Society has a Catholic membership and is based on Catholic spiritual principles, we provide assistance to whoever seeks it, without judgement or prejudice.

A - The St Vincent de Paul Society is an international organisation operating in 130 countries and has over 950,000 members worldwide. The Society has a presence on every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica perhaps.

A - You can become a member of the Society from the age of 17 and upwards. Your involvement with the Society can begin through College Conferences and Vinnies Youth as well as local parish conferences.

A - A member of the Society is a volunteer who joins a conference and attends regular meetings which include scripture discussion, prayer, reflection and how to improve assistance given within the local conference area. A member takes part in the work of the Society providing assistance through home visitation.

A - The Society raises money from its members, through Parish poor boxes, proceeds from items sold at Vinnies Centres, donations from the public and some government funding.

A - When you donate to a specific special work we ensure that it goes directly to where you want it. The Society prides itself on ensuring all funds donated are used specifically for what they are intended. We have the lowest administration fees of any other Australian charity because of our huge volunteer base.

A -The first Queensland conference was established in Red Hill on the 18 February 1884 at St. Brigid's Church.

A - There are approximately 140 retail centres in Queensland.

A - The Society is a lay Catholic organisation and does not receive any direct funding from the Catholic Church. The Society enjoys a close relationship with the Catholic Church and is assisted through parishes and schools.