The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is committed to helping our neighbors in need find a path out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. We do so by our availability to pray with, listen to and discuss options with those who are in need.
"Charity is infinitely inventive."
— St. Vincent de Paul
Who are we, and what do we do?
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul San Roque Conference is formed by members of San Roque Catholic Church to assist those who call our hotline for help.
When a person in need calls our hotline, they usually have a specific area of concern. It could be the inability to pay one month’s rent, or the accumulation of late utility bills, or the inability to repair the vehicle they use for work or in which they live. Two volunteers set up an appointment to meet the caller in person (whenever possible). When we meet we will want to know that the person will be able to support themselves after the area of need is addressed.
The information we gather in this meeting includes income and expenses. This information is kept confidential but it needs to be shared with the board, composed of all other members. A vote is taken after prayerful consideration together with an in-depth discussion and the final decision relayed to the caller by one of the volunteers who attended the original meeting.
We operate under the direction of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and we are asked to assist each person only once a year. Our callers will also receive guidance on what else they can do to help themselves out of their current situation. This guidance will include referrals to other agencies, as well as ideas that come out of the group discussion. The aim is to empower each person to reach or maintain self-sufficiency.
Contact
If you live in the Santa Barbara area code 93105, and are in need of assistance, please call our hotline and leave your name, phone number and reason for your call:
805-315-3771
You can also email us at:
Our most common forms of assistance are:
- Partial rental assistance to avoid eviction
-Utility assistance to ensure uninterrupted electricity, gas and water service.
-Food for the hungry
-Necessary items for work such as boots, clothing, and bus passes
access to LOCAL RESOURCES:
Additionally, we look to other local resources to provide support for our clients. We connect them with these resources and try not to duplicate existing services within the community.
COUNSEL IN TIME OF NEED:
In addition to the financial assistance, we provide a listening ear and sound advice for those who are marginalized or in crisis. As individuals face the threat of eviction or large bills, they can become paralyzed by the mounting problems and can be helped by developing a plan of action together with our financial assistance.
THE larger SOCIETY OUTSIDE OF OUR CONFERENCE:
We are a local chapter of an international Catholic organization with all of our support coming from and remaining in the Santa Barbara area. As Vincentians, we seek to grow as human beings through kindness to others.