SSVP CANADA NEWS - February 19, 2025

SSVP CANADA - February 19, 2025

Last month we asked for your input on your SSVP newsletter and were gratified to read that everyone enjoyed it. Tops amongst the appreciated categories were the Vincentian activities and project updates, and you also loved Jose Torres’ Reflections. We also heard that you wanted to read more about international news, so you will find the CGI President’s circular letter in the new International News section below. Regional spotlights and youth programs were also requested and will be considered in future submissions.

To continue providing you with great stories, we need your help! Please submit your story (200-250 words WITH pictures) to editor-editeur@ssvp.ca.

Our intent is to continue to shine a light and celebrate those Vincentians who do so much every day. For that reason, we are introducing a new section in this edition, entitled Vincentian of the Month. Read below all about Maxime Boulanger-Bonneau, and how his lived experience motivates him to help his neighbours in need.

Do YOU know someone who deserves to be recognized for their great work towards their community’s neighbours in need? If so please click here and get that person justly recognized for their outstanding efforts!

Happy reading in hope!

Philippe E. Blain, Executive Director

HOUSING WEBINAR - A GREAT SUCCESS!

On February 8^th we held a "Houseless to Housed" webinar demonstrating the combined impact the SSVP has in Canada fighting the poverty symptoms stemming from the housing crisis. 206 people registered to listen to speakers Jennifer Wilson, Elaine McMurray and Ray Burke demonstrate the powerful programs they run in their respective communities.

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to attend the event, if you missed it, you can access it here.

Following the webinar, we were excited to hear of many social justice projects across the country. We encourage you to let us know about your great initiatives or partnerships that support social justice causes. Sharing this can increase resources to help our neighbours in need by demonstrating the SSVP’s impact.

Please submit your projects and initiatives to:

Ray Burke or
Elaine McMurray

Thank you for your engagement and enthusiasm!

ANNUAL NATIONAL FORMATION ANNOUNCEMENT

The excitement is building for our national Annual National Formation (ANF) meeting taking place from June 19-21 at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. We are excited to announce that Elia Hernandez-Moreno will be one of our speakers in “Steeltown”.

The author of Permission to Rest and Living Intentionally, books that depict her own journey and hard-earned insights on the importance of adding value to the lives of others, Elia serves as the Executive Director of No Need Among You Network and founded Neighborhood Impact HTX. Elia will present 9 principles for strategies to build relationships and strengthen interactions, which can change the narrative of poverty in just 90 seconds.

In her words: Elia's video

Plans are moving along well, but to make it a truly memorable and engaging event we need your participation. If you are interested in presenting a workshop on a topic related to “Evolving in today’s society”, the 2025 ANF theme, please submit your workshop proposal by completing the on-line submission form by March 15th. Remember, confirmed workshop presenters will receive a 50% discount on the full event registration fee. Thank you in advance for your interest, we can’t wait to read your topics!

Look for the full ANF 2025 schedule and registration form in our March newsletter.

GUESS WHO THINKS BASIC INCOME IS A GOOD IDEA?

“Why should we pay people to stay home?”

“If you give people free money, they will never get a job!”

“A Basic Income program will make people lazy.”

These are examples of comments made by critics of the concept of providing a Basic Income program for people who are struggling economically.

These critics generally view the world through a lens that sees the individual responsible for their own fortunes or misfortunes, and people just need to “pull themselves up by the bootstraps.” Bleeding hearts and left wingers support Basic Income, not self-made capitalists, entrepreneurs and conservative economists!

You might be surprised to hear that some supporters of Basic Income are those who you might have thought to be the most unlikely cheerleaders!

VINCENTIAN LIFE

We are delighted to launch a new monthly initiative: the 'Vincentian of the Month'. This regular segment recognises the commitment, dedication, and spirit of solidarity of those who fully embody our values. Whether it is their help to our neighbours in need, their involvement in our projects or their example of altruism, every action counts.

We invite you to submit your nominations to recognize a Vincentian in our community whose work and dedication deserve to be celebrated.

Send your nominations now and be part of this wonderful initiative that illustrates our collective commitment.

VINCENTIAN OF THE MONTH

Maxime Boulanger-Bonneau, President of the Notre-Dame de Rocamadour Conference, Québec QC.

Maxime is 37 years old and owns a concrete business. He recently took over the leadership of the Notre-Dame de Rocamadour Conference.

He puts all his energy into introducing new ways of doing things. Maxime is certainly one of our youngest volunteers and has been involved with the conference for 10 years.

At a challenging time in his life when he lost everything, he needed food support. Since then, he rebuilt his life and restarted his business four years ago. Although running the Conference alongside his business is a lot of work, he is passionate about it. By sharing his story, he hopes to inspire others to give back.

Thank you, Maxime, and all the volunteers and Vincentians who give their time and without whom it would be impossible to fulfil our mission.

TWINNING WITH UKRAINE

The annual report of the SSVP Blessed Martha Wietska Conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, highlights the impact of their work in addressing humanitarian challenges in the country. Thanks to the commitment of their volunteers and the financial support of their twinning partner, the Simcoe North Particular Council in Ontario, they have been able to provide essential assistance to vulnerable families. But the need is still great.

In 2025, the National Council of Canada will support this conference by donating the funds raised. We invite you to help support these efforts and bring hope to those in need.

Thank you for your support. Together we can make a real difference.

DONATE HERE

Please indicate “Ukraine” when donating.

HONOURING ANNE KEOUGH
A Legacy of Service and Compassion

On the evening of December 18, after distributing over 400 Christmas Hampers at St. Teresa's Church, a number of us attended a very special ceremony that honored, among others, the late Anne Keough, a dedicated member of the SSVP St. Teresa's Conference. Anne, who passed away on July 8, 2024, was posthumously awarded the 75th Anniversary of Confederation Medal for her years of service, particularly her unwavering commitment to the food bank.

The Confederation Medal was presented posthumously but, knowing Anne as we did, she would only smile at the timing. Serving was what drove her vocation to the needy, not accolades. Nevertheless, we know she would have accepted the award graciously and in honor of those she served.

Austin Hawley, immediate Past-President
Bon Fagan, President
St. Teresa's Conference, St. John's, NL

REFLECTION - 2025 YEAR OF HOPE

And not only that, but we boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us. (Romans 5.3-5)