St Simon – President Tom Adkins
We published our annual SVDP Thank You and Update to the St Simon parish. New format greatly enhanced by a new member of our SVDP team – thank you Jeff Dahltorp. See appendix.
The parish is actively participating in the 40 Days for 40 Beds, through bulletin announcements, signage in the narthex, and a Flocknote blast to the parish.
We continue to get good insights from our Follow Up Program, contacting each neighbor we provide service to approximately 60 days post interaction. We have a very dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer who reaches out to each person. Findings have helped identify challenges our neighbors face in getting to the warehouse, an issue we will try to address. Overall the feedback from our neighbors on this effort is very positive and almost 50% of the neighbors we reach stated they are “Satisfied and out of crisis.” If not, this follow up interaction allows us to provide additional service referrals with SVDP and many times outside of SVDP. In almost all cases the phone conversation ends with prayer.
Tri-County Good Samaritan (Richmond, IN) – President Tony Talbert
We are in the middle of 40 Volunteers in 40 Days promotion, thus far we have 15 volunteers signed up to join us as SVdP disciples, our first orientation is this Saturday. Things are a bit frantic; our Thrift Store opens March 21st with much work still to do but we have abundant laborers and will be open on time. We have received so many donations we filled our building and had to rent a storage unit. Parishioner support has been unimaginable! We are still trying to find a store manager, right now we will start as 100% volunteers.
Our Lady of Lourdes – President Paige Gervan
Our Lady of Lourdes conference is working on monthly home visits, actively campaigning for the 40 days/40 beds Lent campaign, and has an article regarding St Vincent de Paul and stewardship published in the upcoming quarterly edition of the “Lourdes Word”. Our hope is the article will generate interest with and awareness of SVdP, engaging parishioners to donate time, treasure or talent to our conference.
St. Mary- Kevin Watkins, Interim President
Activities
- 62 requests and 22 households served between Jan 1 and Mar 21
- 40-Beds Lenten program was fully implemented
- Announcements made the weekend of Mar 21/22 reminding parishioners of next week’s second collection for St Mary SVdP Conference and the need for volunteers
- Open Secretary role was filled
Challenges
- 32% YOY increase in helpline requests
- Timely processing of helpline requests
- Open VP role
- Open financial request processing role
- Requests for rent and utility payments have depleted available funds
Opportunities:
- Need to find volunteers who are willing to take leadership roles and conduct home visits.
- Need an increase donation dollars (need a good March 5th
Sunday second collection) and find other sources of funds.
St. Lawrence – President Eleanor Williams (interim Sandra Keough while Eleanor on medical leave)
No report submitted.
Holy Spirit – President Theresa Igel
Holy Spirit conference provided $2,250 in financial assistance during February. We also completed 14 home visits for beds during Feb. Holy Spirit has offered to host a Stuff a Truck event this year. We are waiting for a confirmed date.
St. Philip Neri – President Bob Jareczek
We have received a check from the parish. It will be the last one until the end of April. We don’t know if, when, or how much St. Maria Goretti will be sending. Our conference decided to keep our same parameters until we run out.
Little Flower – President Frank Mackell
Just as our conference discussed and agreed to use our March 5th Sunday collection on 40 days for 40 beds and resuming our normal influx in May, we learned of a generous donor blessing us with $3000! So we breathe easier and keep on keeping on.
