Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Contact: Parish Office (905-881-2786 ext 221) People within St. Luke's Parish who are in need can contact the parish office (905-881-2786 ext 221) to be connected with Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
 
What We Do:

At The Parish Level 
• Three food drives per year at Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.
• Two clothing drives per year in spring and fall.
• Approximately 10-12 house visits per month to assist needy families in Thornhill.
• The casserole program sends 50-75 casseroles each month to the Good Shepherd Refuge.
• The Blue Box program collects clothing, tioletries, books and other articiles for the needy men at the Good Shepherd Refuge.
• A large share of the money collected at St. Luke's is sent to the Central Council to support their work with the poor in downtown Toronto.

Across the Archdiocese
Home visits made by 1,297 Vincentians representing 119 Parish Conferences throughout archdiocese assisting 13,703 families, 1,887 individuals and 1,837 shut-ins including 14,192 adults & 18,127 children. Clothing, food and furniture provided. Conferences also conduct annual Christmas Programs and assist in financing of special works.

Rendu House
Offers temporary hostel facilities, counselling and referral to single homeless women. Up to 35 women can be accommodated for an average stay of 6 weeks in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

Ozanam House 
Provides transition accommodation and support for men recently discharged from a detoxification unit and awaiting entry into an addiction treatment program. 2519 men have been admitted to the program since June 1984.

Vincent de Paul Community Homes 
Provide men and women recovering from addiction with support and encouragement needed to build a new life. House rules insist on total abstinence and frequent AA/NA meetings. Over 300 clients accommodated each year in 8 homes scattered throughout Metro.

Vincent House And De Paul House 
Offer residential care and support for 12 men and women who are developmentally handicapped. The residents, living in a loving community, learn basic life skills and share in decision making processes in the houses.

Twinning
A partnership of aid to needy Conferences and Councils in Canada and overseas. 
* Gower Park Place 
Operated by the Vincent Paul Family Homes Corporation, Gower Park Place is a 164 unit non-profit affordable apartment building in East York.

St. Francis Residence
A home for 24 men and women who have experienced mental illness and are unable to care for themselves without support. Our aim is to help them increase the quality of their lives and hasten a return to self sufficiency and meaningful involvement in the community.

Stores And Distribution Centre
A home for 24 men and women who have experienced mental illness and are unable to care for themselves without support. Our aim is to help them increase the quality of their lives and hasten a return to self sufficiency and meaningful involvement in the community.

Prison Apostolate/Court Services
Provides clothing and support for persons in custody or prison. Vincentians arrange for Mass, socials and assist in maintaining contact with Families.

Marygrove Camp 
A fully subsidized camping program for 1000 girls aged 5 to 13, located on Georgian Bay near Martyrs Shrine. Supported through the annual archdiocesan collection and supplemented with funding by the Society.

Mary's Home 
Emergency service including nightly shelter for 18 homeless women and a Monday night "Out of the Cold" program providing supper for 45 and shelter for 15 people. Longer term residency for 12 persons who are trying to regain their place in society.