Connecting with the Poor
by Schaefer Frères, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was formed when a group of young college students committed themselves to follow Christ’s example, declaring “Let us go to the poor!”
The Home Visit remains the central work of Members and Conferences of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. On Home Visits, Vincentians do not merely “stand with” the poor; we sit with them, we listen to them, we pray with them, and we seek to help them in the best way possible.
If you feel called to join the Vincentians on our journey, learn more on the Volunteer page.
Our Conference Members Describe Their Home Visit Experience
The President of our Conference reflects on the organization’s unique mission to provide short-term financial emergency aid to local residents living on the edge of poverty. The home visit is the heart of our operation. Volunteers sit at kitchen tables to review finances and hear personal stories. The ultimate goal is to show compassion for our neighbors-in-need.
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A new volunteer who joined our St. Vincent de Paul Conference in 2026 shares his early experiences conducting home visits. He transitioned from a 40-year business career, without social work training, proving that basic humanity is the only prerequisite to assist neighbors. Assistance goes beyond financial aid; neighbors deeply need someone to listen to their stories with empathy and show that the community cares.
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Visiting people in their own homes shows they are valuable and not alone. An experienced visitor describes how face-to-face meetings build genuine friendships in a modern world overly focused on technology and efficiency. Visits are conducted in pairs, allowing volunteers to discuss cases and build strong internal friendships. The visitors find that they receive more fulfillment, spiritual growth, and blessing from the visits than they give.
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Learn More from Our SVdP Colleagues Across the USA
Tim Williams, National Vincentian Formation Director, has produced the video “Our Timeless Home Visit.” In this video, Tim reminds us that Home Visits have never been the easiest way to help serve our neighbors in need. But just because it’s not always easy doesn’t mean it’s not important — both for our own spiritual growth AND bring the face of Christ to those we serve.
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Ride along on a home visit with Linda and Tim, Vincentians with the Saint Vincent de Paul Conference, and Risen Savior and Prince of Peace Catholic Churches in Albuquerque, NM. This home visit takes them to the home of Sabah Al Abdul Aziz, his wife Iklas Al Jabouri, and their son Ali. They’re a family who escaped the volatility of their native Iraq, yet struggle to make ends meet as they start over in Albuquerque.
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