News

Resolved: Get to Know your Community

Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County

9235 San Leandro Street , Oakland , CA 94603

For Immediate Release

Contact

Philip Arca, Executive Director Kelli Zenn, Communications Director
Office: (510) 636-4246          Office: (510) 636-4242
Mobile (510) 385-8891  Mobile: (510) 385-1299
parca@svdp-alameda.org   kzenn@svdp-alameda.org

 

Resolved: Get to Know Your Community


January 17, 2005 - Oakland , CA - This year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County (SVdP) will serve over 100,000 men, women and children in Alameda County .

And there are still many others we cannot reach, homeless and disadvantaged individuals who need our help.  Yet, similar to most nonprofits, our funds and staff are limited.  We stretch our resources and provide assistance to all who come to our door.  And with the help of volunteers, our impact is much greater, and we are able to touch additional lives within the community we serve.  "Volunteers are the backbone of everything we do" notes Philip Arca , Executive Director.  "Without volunteer support, we would not be able to touch as many lives."

SVdP offers many volunteer opportunities, from serving food in our Free Dining Room, to providing direct assistance to the men and women who come to our day drop in centers in West Oakland .  For those who like to work in the background, opportunities include helping the organization with website design, administrative assistance and IT support in our computer labs.  "The opportunities are endless and the reward immeasurable" states Rebecca Jewell , Volunteer Manager.

Current volunteer profiles include:

Rich Nivens, committee chairperson for the Champion Guidance Me n's Center and long-time conference volunteer, began volunteering for SVdP in 1988 through his conference at St. Teresa's parish in Oakland .  In 2003, when SVdP realized the increasing need for a drop in center for men, Rich began to volunteer his time to conceptualize and develop the center.  Since then, Rich has increased his time and commitment to the center and provides tangible and moral support to the men who utilize the center's services.  "I get a real spiritual lift by working at the men's center," says Nivens. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do than what I do now."

Fred Hatter, dedicated volunteer of the SVdP Food Locker in East Oakland , began volunteering for St. Vincent de Paul over one year ago.  Fred became acquainted with the food locker staff while volunteering for Elmers Food Pantry.  "I came to the Food Locker to pick up food for Elmers, and grew to like the staff" notes Hatter, who retired from Hunts Cannery in Hayward .  "I like to volunteer to keep busy and I enjoy being around all of the people here."

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County (SVdP) is a human services non-profit that conducts a variety of 37 parish programs designed to aid the needy in virtually every corner of Alameda County including food pantries, housing referrals, clothing distribution, spiritual support and other essential services.

SVdP is supported through donor contributions and operates five thrift stores where merchandise is sold or given away directly to those in need.  The Society also operates a Free Dining Room and two drop in centers that provide laundry facilities, employment opportunities, shower facilities, resource and referral and other needed services to homeless and low-income men, women and children in West Oakland .  In 2002, more than 100,000 in need received services from The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County including 400,000 meals served from the Free Dining Room.

For a feature article or information contact Kelli Zenn, Communications Director at 510.636.4242.

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9235 San Leandro Street
Oakland, CA 94603 		Phone: (510) 638-7600
Fax: (510) 638-8354 		info@svdp-alameda.org
Copyright © 2006      All contents of this webpage are the sole property of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County, used with permission.