In a world often hurried, noisy and fragmented, a quiet movement of mercy pulses through our communities. Inspired by the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul, a humble 17th-century priest whose
life was marked by radical love for the poor, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) continues
his mission today through the open hearts and faithful hands of everyday Catholics.
Rooted in prayer and nourished by the Eucharist, the society is not merely a charitable organization, it is a vocation, a way of life that transforms both those who serve and those who are served.
With over 800,000 members in 155 countries, SVdP is a global force for good.
Yet its most profound impact is found not in numbers, but in the sacred intimacy of person-to-person encounters — offering food to the hungry, light to the weary and dignity to the forgotten. In these moments, Vincentians become the living hands and feet of Jesus, stepping into the quiet suffering of others and bearing witness to their worth.
Across the Diocese of Gaylord, SVdP conferences anchored in local parishes are living the Gospel with beautiful intentionality. Whether it’s providing food, assisting with rent or utilities, or simply listening with love to a neighbor in distress, Vincentians accompany people with respect, humility and hope.
These are not transactional interactions, but rather they are sacred encounters. Encounters where Christ is seen in the eyes of the poor, and where the love of God is made tangible through human presence.
For Vickie Warren, this mission blossomed into a deeply personal vocation. “I struggled as a young person,” she shared, “but I now see how God, in his mercy, used those hardships to prepare me — to mold my heart with compassion for those we serve at our St. Vincent de Paul store in Traverse City.”
Each encounter has become sacred. “In every person who walks through our doors, I see the face of Christ. It fills me with joy and purpose to serve them, knowing I am serving him,” Vickie adds.
The SVdP is more than a ministry — it is a movement of mercy, a lived expression of the Gospel and an invitation to every Catholic to follow Christ more intimately by walking alongside others. It is an open door to transformation for the served and the servant alike.
How to Access Help or Get Involved
To receive assistance:
- Contact your local conference directly by phone
or email - Call ahead or schedule an appointment for client aid services
To volunteer:
- Reach out directly to the conference nearest you
To start a new conference:
- Contact District Council President Jim Warren at
(231) 499-4653 | president@svdpnmdc.org
St. Vincent de Paul Services Provided in Northern Michigan
ALL Northern Michigan Conferences Core Services
- Assistance with rent, utilities and transportation
- Food bank or referrals to local food banks
- Vouchers for clothing and some household goods from conferences’ low-cost thrift stores
- Client Aid Program with referrals to housing and medical resources
- Face-to-face visits and spiritual companionship
- Emotional and spiritual support
While all conferences offer the core services above, each has developed programs tailored to meet the unique needs of their local communities that are listed by each conference.
St. Joseph Conference (West Branch)
- Car repair support
- Donated wigs via Ann’s Hair Affair & Salon
- Medical equipment donations to Ogemaw Hills Free Clinic
- Navigation Program to help connect people to services
Contact: 3444 W. M-76, West Branch | (989) 345-0779 | svdpwbmi@yahoo.com
Our Lady of the Lake Conference (Prudenville)
- Coordination with local parishes and service agencies
- Food pantry and food giveaways
- Housing and emergency assistance
Contact: 329 W. Branch Rd., Prudenville | (989) 366-7613 | svdpololpres@gmail.com
Sts. Helen, Hubert, James & Michael Conference (Roscommon)
- Connection to job services and emergency shelters
- Vouchers for laundry services
- Assistance for auto repairs and insurance
Contact: 903 Lake St., Roscommon | (989) 275-3036 | svdpRoscommon48653@gmail.com
St. Anne Conference (Alpena)
- Referrals to helping organizations in our community
- Home visits for spiritual and emotional support
- Food assistance through our food pantry
(best by appointment)
Contact: 2635 U.S. 23 South, Alpena | (989) 884-1341 | stvincenthelp@gmail.com
SE Alcona County Conference (Mikado)
- Rural outreach for food and shelter
- Transportation coordination
- Personal check-ins and prayer support
Contact: 2227 F-41 Hwy., Mikado | (989) 736-6271 | alconasvdp@gmail.com
Grand Traverse Area / Holy Spirit Conference (Traverse City)
- Ongoing communication with state and federal agencies and other non-profits to address housing needs and coordinate third-party bill payments
- Clothing and protective gear available for area career tech center students
- Housing for the working poor and those recovering from addictions
Contact: 1207 Woodmere Ave., Ste. B, Traverse City | (231) 947-8466 | president@svdptc.org
St. Catherine Conference (Ossineke)
- Local response to housing insecurity
- Donations of blankets, winter clothing and hygiene kits
- Support for seniors and rural poor
Contact: 2188 W. Nicholson Hill Rd., Ossineke | (989) 354-3671
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Conference (Harbor Springs)
- Emergency housing placement (in winter)
- Food and spiritual support for remote families
- Coordination with tribal and local health services
Contact: 150 W. Main St., Harbor Springs | (231) 526-2017, ext. 124 | svdpHarborSprings@gmail.com
