Our story

Background

The St Vincent de Paul Society (the Society) is an international lay Catholic organisation tackling poverty and disadvantage, assisting people in need, and combating social injustice. The Society was founded in 1833 in Paris, France by a group of young people who wanted to actively engage in addressing social disadvantage.

The Society now operates in more than 150 countries and has over 800,000 volunteer members. There are more than 60,000 volunteers in Australia, of whom around 2,000 work in the ACT and the surrounding region.

Through our members, volunteers and staff, the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn has been serving the local community since 1924. The Society aims to bring about lasting change to the lives of people in need. We provide practical frontline support, advocacy, and friendship to the most vulnerable members of our community. Our objective is to assist any person in need regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender, or political opinion. We achieve this through offering ‘a hand up not a hand-out.’

The Society is a registered charitable not for profit organisation. It is incorporated in each state and territory. The Australian National Council includes the President of each state and territory, and the president of the National Council represents Australia on the International General Council.

The Society prides itself on employing talented and enthusiastic individuals. Our employees undertake a variety of management, administrative, case management and community service roles to deliver the programs and services outlined below. The income of the Society in the Canberra/Goulburn region is derived principally from donations, retail income from our retail shops and specific program funding from the ACT Government and the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

How we help

The St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn Programs and Services:

Where we help

Retail Centres

St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn centres not only operate as retail shopfronts but as community hubs and sources of practical support. Funds raised through the sale of quality donations helps funds our programs and services across the region.

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Conferences

A Conference is a group of members (volunteers) who come together to fulfil the Mission of the Society.

A Conference may be established within any community, such as a parish, town, suburb, school, university, workplace, ethnic or social group.

Our members are the backbone of the Society, providing support to the individuals we help, and in determining our strategic direction, and guiding the effective delivery of programs and services to those in need.

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