family assistance

preventing eviction for working families

The Phoenix Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers hope and help to those living on the margins of society.

One-time assistance with utility bills, food boxes or other immediate aid is routinely provided by our local St. Vincent de Paul Conferences of Charity. Two person teams conduct in-home visits to families seeking assistance. This personalized assessment allows Vincentians the opportunity to better evaluate a client's needs.

When possible, we co-fund with other agencies or conferences and target our one-time assistance to those who have the potential to retain or regain self-sufficiency in a relatively short amount of time. Families with children in the home who are otherwise sustainable and are facing a temporary financial crisis may be referred to the Family Assistance Ministry for help.

Please contact Community Information and Referral at (602) 263-8856 to locate a conference in your area.

crisis and sustainability

For a family living paycheck to paycheck, an unforeseen illness or vehicle breakdown can mean financial crisis.

Those who find it hard to make ends meet and are otherwise self-sufficient may receive help through the Family Assistance Ministry. FAM responds to referrals from our Vincentians in the local parish-based Conferences of Charity. Telephone interviews are conducted by Ministry staff or volunteers to determine a family's long term sustainability and possibly schedule an intake interview.

Volunteers are at the heart of the Family Assistance Ministry. Long-term volunteers who are able to commit two to four hours a week receive specialized training in FAM. Upon completion of training, our volunteers conduct structured interviews, work with a team to provide an accurate assessment of a family's circumstances, and provide follow up contacts.

keeping kids off the street

The "Shifting Gears" program is a bicycle repair/mentoring program that was developed at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix. We believe the program delivers a win/win/win platform for a number of our programs and services.

"Latchkey children" are one of the issues that face the working poor today. With nowhere to go and minimal supervision after school, children left to their own devices can sometimes make life-altering decisions.

"Shifting Gears" offers students a chance to attend volunteer-led classes where they learn basic bicycle repair and safety. Using donated bicycles, students learn hands on from adults the proper repair and maintenance of bikes. At the close of the six class session, participants may take home one of the bicycles they have fixed along with a helmet, lock and headlight. The remaining refurbished bicycles are made available to other clients who may require transportation.

This program offers children a positive environment where they can learn pride of accomplishment, marketable skills and the joy of giving all in one program.

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