To: Board of Supervisors
From: Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Report Title: Resolution recognizing the 60th Anniversary of St.Vincent de Paul
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT recommendation to recognize the 60th Anniversary of St. Vincent de Paul in Contra Costa County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Fiscal Impact.
BACKGROUND:
This resolution honors the work of St. Vincent de Paul in Contra Costa.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No action.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
WHEREAS, On June 29, 2024, St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP) will celebrate their 60th Anniversary of serving our neighbors in need; and
WHEREAS, SVdP is fueled by more than 700 dedicated volunteers who feed, clothe, shelter and heal their neighbors in need. These volunteers, called “Vincentians”, ensure that community members have the basic needs for their families to thrive; and
WHEREAS, For 60 years, SVdP's Vincentians have been the heart of the organization - caring for local neighbors in need with love, dignity, and respect; and
WHEREAS, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began in Paris in 1833 by college students led by 20-year-old Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who was challenged to put his Catholicism into action. The Society quickly spread, coming to the US in 1845. In 1964, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul established its presence in Contra Costa County; and
WHEREAS, As SVdP celebrates its 60th anniversary, its impact has grown tremendously. Annually, SVdP serves over 90,000 people distributing over $1.8 million in financial aid, mostly for rent & utilities, and $4.5 million of in-kind aid, mostly food; and
WHEREAS, SVdP is built on three tenets: growing spiritually, providing aid to people in need, and developing friendships with other SVdP Vincentians and those they serve. This foundation has enabled the organization to adapt, ensuring its services remain relevant and impactful; and
WHEREAS, SVdP’s services have evolved over the decades to address the changing needs of the community. In addition to direct aid, they have established programs that focus on long-term solutions to poverty. This includes job training programs and a new micro-loan program. SVdP’s approach ensures that individuals and families are empowered to achieve self-sufficiency. Some of the standout programs SVdP offers are the free medical clinic and free dental clinic. These clinics, in collaboration with RotaCare Bay Area and Dentists on Wheels, are staffed by volunteer healthcare professionals and provide essential care to the uninsured. Another critical aspect of SVdP’s work is its commitment to environmental stewardship. The SVdP Thrift Stores not only provide affordable goods to the community, they also promote recycling and reduce waste by giving goods a second life, benefiting both the environment and those in need.
WHEREAS, As SVdP marks 60 years in Contra Costa County, they remain a beacon of hope for vulnerable families in the Bay Area.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognizes and honors St. Vincent de Paul for 60 years of committed service to the residents of Contra Costa County.