Are you or a neighbor in need? Call (408) 354-3726 x 134. St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (St. Mary) receives assistance requests via the parish office at (408) 354-3726 x134. We conduct phone or home visits for assistance requests, listening to concerns and seeking to provide counsel or assistance. We may refer you to local services within the City of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, non-government organizations (NGO’s), local outreaches, food banks, shelters and other services.
Who Are We?
We are Vincentians and parishioner volunteers who support a St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St Mary’s church that is part of the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Santa Clara County Diocesan Council. Founded in 1833 to help impoverished people living in the slums of Paris, the Society is now a worldwide Catholic volunteer organization of lay people serving in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, its patron, St. Vincent de Paul and our savior Jesus Christ. Its goal is to serve the needy and suffering in our community, especially those who are lacking the basic necessities of life.
We accomplish our work with a strong focus on spirituality, fellowship and service. The core of our Society is each individual member. Our Conference has twenty five to thirty volunteers from our parish who serve and meet monthly as a group.
What Do We Do? Our Programs...
Our Conference provides and contributes to a wide range of services for the working poor and unhoused residents of our town. This includes rental assistance, utility bill help, food, gasoline , clothing, tents, sleeping bags and other necessities. More important than material assistance, our Conference also offers spiritual support to the people we serve. All members of our Conference are dedicated to act primarily for the welfare of others.
With this mission, SVdP at St. Mary’s undertakes, facilitates and/or supports several programs:
Conxion to Community Day Worker Center: We provide supplies and support to ~40 workers and staff at our local Day Worker Center, typically on a weekly to monthly basis. We replenish personal hygiene, cooking and cleaning supplies. We serve special meals. We assist in providing backpacks, sleeping bags, tarps, clothing and other basic necessities. We provide emotional and spiritual support to all.
Casa de Clara San Jose Catholic Worker Shelter: We support this transition home for unhoused families with children, as well as its related support programs for Catholic workers. Now in operation, we assist with procuring and distributing needed supplies to the residents and Catholic workers. We assist in facility refurbishing, maintenance and upkeep. We provide special dinners to residents and staff. We continue to support live-in families with children needing a peaceful space to heal and build skills to re-enter society.
St Luke's of Los Gatos Pantry: We assist this local Los Gatos pantry by supplying requested items and by meeting with our unhoused neighbors to discuss their needs. Typical clients are “living rough” in vehicles or the outdoors. The pantry is open every Tuesday morning to distribute bags of food, bagged lunches, mail service, and various personal hygiene or requested supplies. Approximately 15-20 people are served each week.
United Methodist Los Gatos Homeless Showers & Meal: Hot showers and lunches are provided to neighbors in need every Thursday. We supply personal hygiene items, towels and requested supplies. We distribute laundry vouchers for use at Los Gatos Laundry. Approximately 6-10 clients typically use and appreciate the showers and bagged lunches each week.
SVdP Homeless Laundry Voucher Program: The Homeless Laundry Program utilizes the good graces of the Los Gatos Laundry to provide laundry service to unhoused neighbors. Soap and wash and dry tokens are provided to clients. Vouchers are distributed through several avenues. We facilitate and fund the process, including voucher distribution.
Home Visits (Virtual & In Person): We respond to individual calls for assistance through a “home visit.” If someone is in need, we will arrange for a team to visit on a person-to-person basis. This offers the opportunity to support their needs through listening without judgment, and to live our faith via understanding and compassion. Often we are called to provide support for rent, utility, gas and other immediate assistance. The home visit is not only a cornerstone of ourSociety, but a wonderful source of fellowship between our members.
Santa Clara County-wide+ Individual Assistance Requests:Every day a neighbor is in need in Santa Clara county. These needs are often being met through the assistance of our SVdP Santa Clara Council. Our conference supports the Council’s work with financial and volunteer assistance. The Diocese of Santa Clarais a community of 600,000 Catholics across 54 parishes and missions, 28 elementary schools, 6 high schools and 3 college and university campus ministries, and they greatly appreciate the support of St. Mary’s parish. We also may undertake special projects for other California counties as they arise, such as in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
Other Special Projects for Families and Students: Backpack Project (supplies for those in need), Thanksgiving Food Drive, Winter Clothing drives with St. Mary’s School and advocacy for the Town’s unhoused residents in meeting their most basic needs.
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested to learn more about becoming a Vincentian? If so, please contact Sue Ahmadian. We have one meeting a month after the 9am Sunday Mass (typically the second Sunday of the month) which is listed on the St. Mary’s Parish Calender. We would be so grateful for you to help us make a difference by joining a meeting or a volunteer opportunity!
How Are We Funded?
We are entirely donor funded, counting solely on the generosity of those who seek to support programs for our local neighbors in need. The magnitude of our outreach depends directly upon donor generosity. We have an Annual Appeal every November. The generous donations we receive from that Appeal provide the bulk of our budget for the year. We also receive funds that are donated to the Poor Box, located at the back of the church.
Donations
Thank you for supporting our local neighbors in need. Please click here to make your gift.
For more information or assistance with donations, please contact Sharon Aeria or via phone at (408) 354-3726 x137.