As you may know, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha is instrumental in helping families and individuals right here in our community stay in their homes. All across the city, volunteer Vincentians meet one-on-one with their neighbors in need. In many ways, the ministerial relationships that are created between Vincentians and their neighbors facing financial hardship truly help in the prevention of homelessness in our community.
What you may not realize, though, is the extent to which the Society here in Omaha also provides direct services to those who are currently experiencing homelessness.
In 2018, when Archbishop Lucas asked the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha to continue providing the homeless outreach ministries here at the Holy Family Center (after the parish had closed), the SSVP board of directors, without fanfare, replied with a unanimous “yes”. And with that approval, serving the homeless of our Omaha community became a special work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. So, Mondays through Fridays, SSVP staff and volunteers provide clothing to the homeless via our “Closet Door” and serve hundreds of sack lunches to homeless and low-income members of our community, via our Sack Lunch Program.
“JUST STORIES” offers a unique, intimate glimpse into the meaningful impact that SSVP Vincentians and other volunteers make in the lives of the thousands of families and individuals we serve each and every year. Your support is vital in helping the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha achieve our mission of providing service to, and forming personal relationships with our neighbors in their hour of need. Please click on the ”Learn More” button next to any of the photos, below, to read these Just Stories!
What you may not realize, though, is the extent to which the Society here in Omaha also provides direct services to those who are currently experiencing homelessness.
In 2018, when Archbishop Lucas asked the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha to continue providing the homeless outreach ministries here at the Holy Family Center (after the parish had closed), the SSVP board of directors, without fanfare, replied with a unanimous “yes”. And with that approval, serving the homeless of our Omaha community became a special work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. So, Mondays through Fridays, SSVP staff and volunteers provide clothing to the homeless via our “Closet Door” and serve hundreds of sack lunches to homeless and low-income members of our community, via our Sack Lunch Program.
“JUST STORIES” offers a unique, intimate glimpse into the meaningful impact that SSVP Vincentians and other volunteers make in the lives of the thousands of families and individuals we serve each and every year. Your support is vital in helping the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha achieve our mission of providing service to, and forming personal relationships with our neighbors in their hour of need. Please click on the ”Learn More” button next to any of the photos, below, to read these Just Stories!
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Jonah & Brianna's Story
7-year old, Jonah and his mom, Brianna, have been through a lot in their year prior to contacting SSVP – domestic abuse, homelessness, and constant hunger. When Brianna finally connected with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, after leaving her abusive husband, she and Jonah had very little to eat in their apartment, and had been living without electricity for the better part of a week. Read on to learn how SSVP was able to keep Jonah and Brianna fed and housed. |
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Elizabeth's Story
In her young twenties, Elizabeth had dreams of having a great life. She had a small rental house with her long-time high school sweetheart - with expectations of becoming engaged. Within just a few months, though, Elizabeth's promising life started to unravel. "When I learned that I was going to have a baby boy, I immediately knew I would need to be the strongest version of myself, in order to give him a life he deserved," shares Elizabeth. Read on to learn how our wonderful volunteers helped Elizabeth and Benjamin get back on their feet. |
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Ethan's Story
Ethan had a good job, working hard for a construction firm – a position he’d held for 6 ½ years. Laura was in her final trimester of pregnancy…expecting the arrival of the couple’s fourth child. Although this little family definitely lived “paycheck to paycheck”, Ethan and Laura had been able to pay their bills. Then their world was turned upside down: Ethan was laid off from his job – a victim of a sluggish economy. Ethan struggled to find full-time work which would offer a competitive wage to take care of the needs of his family. When that didn’t happen, the couple began to get behind on their bills, and eventually nearly had their water and gas turned off to their house. Before they contacted SSVP, Ethan and Laura found themselves and their family on the brink of becoming homeless. |
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Connie's Story
“But, for the Grace of God go I” is a thought that crosses the minds of so many Vincentian volunteers, as they speak with, and provide friendship and assistance to our neighbors in need. A SSVP volunteer recently shared one such story of a neighbor in need – Connie, pictured – whose life was nearly turned upside down…simply because her car broke down. Connie’s story, while unique to her, is indicative of the small margin of (financial) error that the people we serve live with, as they struggle to provide for their own most basic needs of food, clothing and housing. |
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Robert's Story
One of the people who has truly benefitted from our organization’s services to the homeless is Robert. Robert (pictured) is currently staying in the homeless shelter at the Siena Francis House, just down the street from our Holy Family Center. Roberts’s story is both heart-breaking and heart-warming, and is intimately intertwined with the Society and the special work that happens here at 1715 Izard Street. |
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Anna Maria's Story
Jobless & and unable to keep up with her bills, a hopeless Anna Maria – with her infant son, Steven, in tow – humbled herself and asked for help from our SSVP Pantry. Read how pantry volunteer Vincentian, LouAnn, befriended Anna Maria, ensuring she received everything she needed to feed her little family. |
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Samantha's Story
Sleeping in her car for four nights, young mom, Samantha, was exhausted, penniless and homeless. A victim of abuse, Samantha and her 2-year old daughter sought refuge in a grocery store parking lot before finally getting the help they needed from SSVP – including being put on a path to permanent housing. |
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Barbara's Story
Newly homeless and wheelchair-dependent, Barbara didn’t know where to turn after her old, rickety chair finally gave way. Asking for help in finding a replacement, Barbara’s emergency became SSVP pantry manager, Gillian’s priority. Read how Gillian was able to find the perfect wheelchair for Barbara, using a little ingenuity, social media and the compassion of some very caring members of our community. |
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Renae's Story
Single mom, Renae, was facing terrible financial hardship and had left messages with a number of agencies, before calling the SSVP Helpline. The caring & calming voice of the volunteer Vincentian reassured Renae of the goodness of humanity. Be prepared to feel the same way while reading Renae’s gratitude email, as well as how SSVP volunteers ensured she received the financial resources she so badly needed. |
"The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need."
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Food Pantry
2101 Leavenworth St. | Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 AM-12:30 PM Thrift Stores Northwest Store: 5505 N 90th St | (402) 502-7837 Mon-Fri: 10 AM - 6 PM | Sat: 10 AM - 4 PM Downtown Store: 2101 Leavenworth St | (402) 341-1689 Mon-Sat: 9 AM - 6 PM Papillion Store: 807 Tara Pl | (402) 593-4055 Mon-Sat 9 AM - 6 PM West Center Store: 12301 W Center Rd | (402) 933-8242 Mon-Sat: 10 AM - 8 PM | Sun: 12 PM - 5 PM |
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District Office
at Holy Family Center 1715 Izard St. Omaha NE 68102 (402) 779-8499 info@svdpomaha.com Helpline: ssvpomaha.org/get-help OR (402) 779-8499 ext. 107 Society of St. Vincent de PaulSSVP Thrift StoresCopyright SSVP Omaha ©2023
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