SSVP CANADA - December 18, 2024 | Dear Vincentian Brothers and Sisters, December is a very busy month as we do the final preparations to help make Christmas a little brighter for individuals, families and children who we serve. Thank you to all Vincentians for the great work you do throughout the year carrying out our mission and bringing joy and hope to people. | | True charity is not measured by the size of the gift but by the intention behind it. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, a helping hand, or a warm smile, each act of kindness can bring light tto someone’s world. In this way, the Christmas message is timeless: it calls us to build bridges of care and understanding, enriching both the giver and the receiver, just as we experience in our sharing together. I pray that you have time to relax and enjoy the Christmas season spending time with family and friends. On behalf of the National Council Board, we wish you a blessed and Merry Christmas! Linda Dollard, National President | HOUSING EFFORTS SHOWCASED
AT HOMELESSNESS CONFERENCE | In October, Linda Dollard, Ray Burke and I were excited to represent the SSVP at the Canadian Association on Ending Homelessness’s National Conference entitled “lets end Homelessness together” amongst 2000 concerned activists and advocates in the space. READ MORE | | HOUSELESS TO HOUSED CAMPAIGN WEBINAR | Interested in learning about some of the Society’s housing initiatives in Canada and the SSVP’s considerable impact in fighting the poverty stemming from the Housing Crisis? Reserve the date! The Housing committee invites you to join a one-hour Webinar on February 8th at 1pm EAST. | | This webinar will focus on key examples of our involvement: - Surviving Homelessness – come hear the Street Outreach team in Windsor ON describe their encounters with homeless individuals in need and how they provide them a helping hand up (not a hand out) and feed them.
- Preventing Homelessness - The Kelowna BC “InVincible Housing” program prevents the instability, financial disaster, ill health, social dysfunction and despair homelessness creates, by providing rent support and assistance through one-time grants.
- Community living solutions - in Halifax NS the SSVP provides community solutions including support through their non-profit thrift store, hunger relief through their Hope Cottage Soup Kitchen and supportive housing at Ozanam Place, coming soon for people aged 50 and older who are experiencing homelessness.
Registration details will be sent out in January, we hope to see you there! | MILE$TONE$ ACHIEVED BY SEEDS OF HOPE PROGRAM | Two wonderful milestones have been reached with the Registered Education Saving Plan (RESP)/Canada Learning Bond (CLB) portion of the Seeds of Hope (SOH) project. The Seeds of Hope project equips Vincentians to be the link from awareness to access to resources, services and opportunities under the 3 pillars of Health, Education and Wellness (HEW). READ MORE | | GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME
AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME! | The National Council board of Directors has approved the Society’s support for the Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) program as an effective process to help resolve poverty in Canada. The following is the first in a series of articles designed to educate our readers and followers on the program. | | How many of our neighbours in need would benefit from the ability to upgrade their education, learn a new trade or spend quality time with their children instead of working 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs trying to make ends meet? These types of positive changes and outcomes were among the many reported by the vast majority of the 4000 participants in Ontario’s Guaranteed Basic Income pilot project (2017-2019). READ MORE | | | HOW THE SSVP SUPPORTED ANA Ana moved to Canada in 2013, as a temporary foreign worker, working for a minimum wage, at a fast-food restaurant. Two years later Ana’s work permit expired. Even though she applied for a renewal long before, the government took 8 more months to renew Ana’s foreign worker permit. Without a work permit, you are not allowed to work and are exempt from health benefits. READ MORE | | | | HOW THE SSVP SUPPORTED ABDEL AND HIS SON RAYANE Rayane was only 7 years old when we first met him, through food hamper deliveries. Even then we knew he would go far. His parents, Abdel and Souad, are most grateful for all the support provided by our Society these past years. It has enabled their children to reach for the stars. We serve in hope and bring hope. READ MORE | | | | | SSVP MONTREAL PUTS ON A MAGICAL GRATITUDE EVENT On November 13, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Montreal had the pleasure of experiencing a magical moment during its first Recognition Evening. This event was an opportunity to thank the individuals and companies who, through their support, contribute to the mission of our organization. In a joyful, festive atmosphere and the contribution of many artists on stage, volunteers and corporate supporters came together with members of the board of directors and employees, united by the same commitment to our cause. READ MORE | | | | A SMALL ACT
THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Jean Denis Brisson gets up early every week to collect refundable cans and bottles from blue bins in downtown Saint-Augustin, Quebec, before the recycling truck arrives. The proceeds from their sale (over $4,530 since November 2023) are donated to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. He encourages residents to separate these items in distinct bags, which he cleans and returns for reuse. Practical solutions are suggested to ensure the containers remain visible and available for recycling. Photo: Jean Denis Brisson and Jean-Guy Hamel, local conference President. | | | JOURNEYING WITH MARY THIS ADVENT
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1-39-45 READ MORE | | NEW ITEM ADDED TO OUR SSVP BOUTIQUE | TOQUE FEATURING THE SSVP LOGO Proudly display your SSVP membership while keeping warm during the winter months! Price: $15
To order: SSVP Boutique Deliveries will take place after January 6. | | We regularly publish exciting facts about the SSVP. Visit our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn frequently to find out more about the Society. To promote our publications, please like and share them. Links to our social media can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. We are always looking for Vincentian testimonials and conference/council activity stories. Send your stories to share with Vincentians across Canada to editor-editeur@ssvp.ca. If you received this from a friend, you can subscribe to receive our newsletter directly. SUBSCRIBE HERE | CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA | | | | |
