Who We Are

Our Mission

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

Our Practice

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul--Archdiocesan Council of St. Louis serves individuals and families in need throughout the Greater St. Louis area. The Society consists of more than 3,400 volunteer members belonging to 142 parish-based conferences (chapters). Volunteers make home visits to those in need to provide person-to-person services, including arranging utility and prescription drug assistance and assisting with housing and transportation needs. The Society also operates seven thrift stores.

In fiscal year 2014, the Society assisted 264,859 people, provided $6.3 million in direct aid and distributed $6.1 million in in-kind goods to those in need. One of the oldest and most well-respected charities in St. Louis, the Society is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis. As a Catholic lay organization, an essential part of the Society’s work is to maintain the confidentiality and dignity of those being served, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or age.

Learn more about how we create a path to self-sufficiency. Use our conference finder to find the group nearest you.