Welcome to St Vincent De Paul
             of Contra Costa

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This year’s Western Regional Conference was held in Everett, Washington
June 24th through June 27th.
The Conference included informative workshops on various aspects of Vincentian Spirituality, Housing the Homeless, Technology in the Society, Serving Veterans in need, Prison Ministry, Working with the Hispanic Community and Disaster Relief.

Recordings available for download
Recorded in mp3 format
(Can be played on all computers and most CD/DVD Players)
Ozanam Orientation I Download
Ozanam Orientation II Download
Ozanam Orientation III Download
General Assembly (National) Download 1 Download 2
Western Region Business Meeting Download
The Tao of personal Leadership Download 1 Download 2 Download 3 Download 4
Vincentian Friendship & Spirituality Download
Vincentian Friendship & Spirituality (Espanol) Download
Voice of the Poor Download 1Download 2
Fundraising & Public Affairs Download
El Servicio (Espanol) Download
Disaster Relief: Working with Others Download
Technology in Service to the Poor Download

Two old friends (Al Gibson & found each other again.., along with 60 other Vincentians from 32 Conferences across the Dioceses, for a day long Formation Training at the Holy Names Retreat Center June, 20 2009.

One from Alameda County, one from Contra Costa County, both long term Vincentians dedicated in service to Christ’s Poor. “It was a great retreat..” “Good job and… I want a copy of that picture” said Al Gibson.

Contra Costa County was well represented with members from Good Shepherd, St. Joan of Arc and St. Mary’s.

This is a story about St. Mark’s Church Community in Richmond, a funder, a little bit of hope money and the sweat equity of a group of Vincentian Conference Volunteers.

A year ago the dilapidated kitchen of this Conference located in one of the most challenging communities in the Bay Area received a boost through the efforts of a new young president who believed that with a little bit of support she could change a community.

“This is a tangible example of what can happen with patient mentorship, some tense moments where partnerships can be formed, combined with the long term experience of the volunteer efforts of St. David’s Pantry.”

The keys to this expression of hope that started in the kitchen and flowed into the community were being open to new expressions of Vincentian service, being willing to support something new and a little bit of help.

Thank you, Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation for the seed that blossomed into a Community of Hope.

The Society
of St. Vincent de Paul
of Contra Costa

Enrichment, intellectual growth, career development and social awareness are all some of the more typical aspects of the college experience.

In addition to these more common interests that are pursued, the students’ values, ideals and spiritual attitudes will be influenced by the “college” experience.

A College Conference or Conference of Younger People can be relatively self sufficient, requiring only
minimal guidance and input from an Advisor.

Furthermore, a College or Conference of Younger People’s relationship with the local District Council should be similar to that of an Adult Parish Conference.

To find out more about starting a “College Young Adult Conference” in your University, or College. Please contact Stephen Krank at (925)439-5060 ext.28 or by Email.

WILLIE EARL MOFFETT JR. a resident of Antioch was born in Martinez, but has lived in East County & Pittsburg virtually all of his life. Willie graduated in 1977 from Pittsburg High School. He especially likes East County’s weather.

His parents are Carrie B. Grant and Willie Earl Moffett, Sr.

Willie has been employed with St. Vincent de Paul in Pittsburg since 1999 and is currently the operations manager overseeing two thrift stores. He supervises a staff of thirteen people and assists low-income community members and families when they are in need of furniture, clothing and other household goods.

He enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his family and watching his two favorite sports teams, the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco Giants.

The executive committee of St. Vincent de Paul recognized him for his outstanding work on behalf of the Society and the community.

He attends Los Medanos Community College.

His happiest life experience has been being able to help a tremendous amount of people throughout the community by assisting with basic human needs and being able to provide goods and services to help establish the first ever thrift store in Senegal, Africa with the help of St. Vincent de Paul.

Among his happiest moments were getting a job shortly after being released from prison; meeting his wife and being reunited with his parents and son. He also enjoyed a breathtaking trip to Hawaii. By far his most difficult life experience was his time in prison. Losing his oldest sister, Artelia Watson, was also one of the most difficult times in his life. His sister was his best friend.

He is proud to now be an active part of his son’s life. He was able to encourage him to go to college and follow through with his dream. Willie expects his son will graduate Tuskegee University in Alabama next year. Willie has created opportunities with St. Vincent de Paul for parolees who were unable to obtain employment due to their backgrounds or lack of experience. Many of these parolees have excelled and continued on to higher paying jobs with excellent benefits. One parolee had been in and out of prison and on parole for over 30 years and with Willie’s help and guidance and that of St. Vincent de Paul he has been home for over two years and was released from parole on April 1, 2004 a first in a lifetime experience for him. Willie’s aspiration is to help the youth of our community. Increased use of drugs, alcohol, guns and violence in our communities is a destructive influence in the lives of young people. He would like to be able to counter this negative with a positive by being a good role model and teaching our young people, helping them make productive choices and making them aware of the consequences of making bad choices. For every one child who goes to college there are 10 kids getting their first taste of the street life, guns and violence. He would love to see more all around activities for young people in East County, including youth development centers. He loves the diversity of our community and the opportunities the area offers to those who prepare themselves.

Willie’s mother has been his life role model and has always been there for him. She has raised several children, grandchildren and has been mother to many of the neighborhood children. She has always maintained employment and encouraged her children to go to school and to get an education. Graduation was a requirement not an option.

Please join me in saluting an outstanding citizen who is making a change in our community.

*Since this article was written by the Contra Costa Times, Willie’s father Willie Moffett Sr. passed away and was Honored by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Attending the services were The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Board of Directors Bill Clark and his wife, Rick Richardson (Then President of the Board), Ron Weston, Executive Director of the Society, Yee Pang Corporate Comptroller and Staff members Bonnie Casey, Frances Panelli, Shirley Strausbaugh,
Willie’s son Willie Earl Moffett Jr. has graduated from the University of Tuskegee in Alabama. Willie is now married to his then fiancée Cara Moffett and they now have a beautiful 2 year old daughter Yesenia Lieara Moffett.

Willie came to the Society through The Keys to Success Program, worked with the Rapid Response Temporary Agency, was later hired full time to create the opportunity for others that he received and has now been associated with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul for 10 years. At present, Willie has developed a partnership with the Contra Costa County Office of Education, allowing for students who are special employees of the County Superintendents Office to work with the Society as part of an ongoing work study program. His responsibilities include hands on supervision of all Court Ordered Community
Service Volunteers.

In reviewing the post script notes for this article; Willie stated “he gives God all the praise for his work first, himself second and thanks his family & The Society of St. Vincent de Paul for opening the door for him, giving him the opportunity to perform Gods work and never closing the door.

“As a Society in Service to those most in need, it is a honor to recognize Willie’s work and his committed service…putting the needy ahead of himself.”

Ron Weston, Executive Director

At the Strategic Planning Meeting for the Society in Contra Costa County held this March, The Board of Directors voted unanimously to move forward with reducing the size of the Pittsburg Thrift Store to make room for a Free Dining Room and Community Center at our Pittsburg District Council Offices.

“Our Free Dining Room” will provide a stable place where those most affected by the uncertainty of our economy, those who have lost their jobs, will find a hot meal, resources and a spirit of hope from our Vincentian Community Volunteers,” Stated Ron Weston, Executive Director of the Society in Contra Costa County. Rick Richardson, Treasurer for the District Council, has volunteered to head up the fund raising committee.

Questions about participating with support or assisting on this Committee should be directed to Rick Richardson.

Dear Vincentians:

Several of us had the opportunity to attend the Western Regional SVdP Conference held in Everett, Washington. It was a spirit-filled meeting with much learning, celebration, fellowship, prayer, and sharing. The Orientation focused on our mission statement to grow spiritually by offering service to the needy and suffering. Our mission is grounded in Scripture, of which one passage is Matthew 25:37 “When did you see me hungry, etc?” As I see it, as Vincentians it is our responsibility to convert words into action. The Orientation session is convincing in suggesting that all Vincentians should attend an Orientation. Another primary focus was the importance of home visits.

The Council Support Services led by Stephen Krank has been extremely active assisting many Conferences. Included are giving several “Invitations to Serve” Orientation programs, setting up new Conferences, and helping to set up a new food bank at St. Peter Martyr in Pittsburg. The Council is available for assistance to any Conference who needs help to grow and resolve difficult situations. Additionally, we are working on a web-based reporting system so the Conferences can easily facilitate client call record keeping and reporting. We are waiting to see if National adopts a system which will help tie in all Conferences.

We are also excited to inform you that the City of Pittsburg Planning Commission has approved our request for a Dining Room cut out from our Pittsburg warehouse. This is to be a joint venture with Loaves & Fishes to feed the needy 5 days a week. We expect to be feeding 125 plus people a day. The next steps are working drawings, completing an agreement with Loaves & Fishes, fund raising, and building the Dining Room. We expect to be open in 6 months. This will be an opportunity to get a team of 4 or more Vincentians together to work one day a month in the Dining Room. This a good chance to offer person-to-person service to the needy as quoted in our mission statement.

Of course, we will need to raise money to fund the Dining Room, so please let us know of any sources, such as foundations, grants, etc. Additionally, we would like to expand the SVdP Contra Costa Board. There are
other exciting things that the Board is working on besides the dining room, such as a medical clinic and job training. We welcome Vincentians’ who want to be part of a dynamic and spiritual board and who are dreamers as well as doers. Please call Ron Weston or myself if you are interested. In closing, I must say these are challenging but rewarding times for all of us and our clients. There are many things that we can accomplish together. We look forward to working together in this greater Vincentian family.

Sincerely,

Jim Noe, President

When as Conferences we use the resources God has provided for today’s needs, for today’s poor, have learned the lessons from our founder.

In Paris, St. Vincent would daily use the resources “down to the last loaf of bread” to serve those in need today.

Most nonprofit managers would say “You are out of your mind, you can’t build a business that way,”… they are exactly right.
It has never been the point of the Society to build a business…But to serve the poor with the urgency and efficaciousness, of Christ as he knocks at our door for help.

In Vincent’s day the essence of trusting God and taking the hand of the Parisian “Well to Do”, and welcoming them to come as he went on Home Visits on a consistent basis educated the Wealthy as to the actual plight of those in need, but also created the opportunity for God to bless them in joining in the work of the Society.

As Vincentians, we are the workers, we build faith by having faith, we bless, to meet the needs of those we serve as and when we are blessed, and yes we work.., and we work.., but as Vincentians we work smart.

By Ed Ragen
“To always have the resources of donated food, household goods and volunteer time to provide an ongoing supply for Conferences in the County serving those most affected by the downturn in the economy” Stated Ed Regan a long time Conference member at St. Mary’s Parish.

“Leadership positions in the Society, at any level, are always to be accepted as service to Christ, the members, and the poor.” As a growing Vincentian Family incoming President (Denise Barkasy), and outgoing President (Jim Scott) from St. Mary’s Conference set example of partnership by their service. (December)

A special year end thank you to St. Isidore’s. Going into the fall of 2008, Conferences in some of the more impoverished areas of Contra Costa County have been struggling to meet the needs of those of us experiencing poverty. Specifically, through the support of St. Isidore’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul and the Knights of Columbus who went above and beyond, including new boundaries of the Contra Costa as part of their Vincentian Family. Children had gifts, families had delicious meals for Christmas and several Conferences who continue to not be able meet the needs of the volume of people they serve were shored up financially.

Thank you for including all of us in your family.

Area low income Day Laborers as we work through Street level health project received over 710 warm coats to keep them from getting sick wile hoping to get fair days work. Here these men and women get in line to receive their coats for this winter season.

Vincentians are a Contra Costa County wide base of volunteers, creating a person to person network of 25 Conferences (Chapters or Locations) who provide support to those in need, as people who deserve dignity and respect.

The St.Vincent DePaul Conference at St. John Vianney Parish providing Christmas serving folks from the Monument Corridor. (December)

On site food distribution by Contra Costa Food Bank (December)

Steve Arnaudo, a long time Vincentian, friend and Treasurer for St. David’s Pantry. (December)

Robert Madigan from St. David’s Pantry with Martha Rodriguez at the weekly St. Marks Church food distribution. (December)

Don. Jesus Garcia, Food Picker-Upper, Driver, Santa Food Distribution & St. Mark Conference Vice President. (December)

Sheila Bolin Officer & Secretary at the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Mary’s Parish. (December)

As Learning to Serve & Service Learning, are two opportunities to involve young people as part of the Vincentian Family and experience a hands on Social Justice Ministry. (December)

St. Mary’s Elementary provided a place where Parish and local families, received the Vincentian Spirit of Giving, Food for Christmas Dinner, Presents and Warm Coats. (December)

“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45)

We provided programs supplying food (a 267% increase of households over 2007, and 206% increase of persons). The Oasis, a location for the day program as part of Winter Nights, helped Conferences affected by a decrease with needed donations to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for those with needs within their Conference Parishes. 78 families were adopted by the DC and received Christmas Dinners; 113 families were provided Christmas presents for their families.

The District Council Warehouse and Office Staff provided the logistic infrastructure for
The One Warm Coat Program for Contra Costa County, where since the day after Thanksgiving to 12/31/2008 we have collected over 6,000 warm coats, hats, and gloves.

So far have we have provided 5,100 of them free of charge to the homeless, low income families, and day laborers one at a time, and through 15 nonprofits including the Self Help Foundation, Loaves and Fishes, Love-a- Child Missions throughout the County.

For many nonprofits, the Board of Directors and Executive Board are primarily positions of recognition for years of service, honor, respect for contributions, for the investment of time and resources.

Archbishop Romero once stated “We are Stewards of a future that is not our own”.

Almost eight years ago the Society of St. Vincent DePaul in Contra Costa County was on the verge of being insolvent. Like many of Bay Area NGO’s, the Society in Contra Costa had maintained a committed focus to the core work of the Society.

The world as we knew it was changing for nonprofits like St. Vincent de Paul. Our thrift stores and Auto Donation Program that had developed over the years as a source of material goods and some financial support for the Conferences. Warehouse Job Training Operations, District Council and any other Special Works Programs were no longer as efficient as sources of revenue.

Our Stores began to compete with retail stores like Wal-Mart and other nonprofits who, out of necessity, shifted their focus into “The Business of Thrift Store Marketing” and merchandising.
Our Board of Directors made some hard choices, a number of Stores were closed. Ron Westin became our Executive Director with a focus on reducing our services to those that were the most efficacious and shifted to sustainable support, primarily for those we serve through our network of Conferences in Contra Costa County.

This stewardship of having done the right thing, when it was needed to be done, placed the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County in a position of leadership for the work of the Society, as it is most needed with the change in the economy as we close the first decade of the new Millennium.

Part of the restructuring for our Auto Donation Program was the joining of resources with the District Councils of Society of St. Vincent DePaul in Alameda, San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin Counties to better coordinate, service our customers and make the program more cost effective.

Based on the cost effectiveness of this change, at the final 2008 District Council Meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County, the Board passed a resolution that created a fund where * Conferences in Good Standing, will be able to access support and emergency funds, using 10% of the revenue generated from the Auto Donation as the funding source.

*Conference in Good Standing: Meets regularly as a Conference, Attends at
least four District Council or Regional Meetings a year and submits their
reports and statistics to the District Council in a timely manor.