For assistance, please call 401-871-8936. If we are unable to answer your call immediately, please leave a message with your name and number and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Who are we?

A volunteer Catholic organization that leads women and men to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to our neighbors in need.

What do we do?

The core work of SVDP starts with the home visit. Two members meet with clients in their homes. This approach offers friendship and dignity as well as material assistance. Requests for help can be rent, utilities, car repairs, or medical expenses. However, we are not limited in the type of financial aid we can provide. We meet as a group and support each other spiritually as well make decisions about the type and amount of aid given to our neighbors in need. We learn together about the work of other community agencies and how we can coordinate with each other.

What is the time commitment?

This can vary depending on the type of membership. There are active and associate levels. An active member attends two meetings per month and is available to make home visits with another member. New members would only have an observatory role during the home visit. An associate member could attend one meeting a month if able and accompany more experienced members on a home visit. A time commitment at this level would be about three hours/month.

Why become a Vincentian?

Three essential reasons: increase your own spirituality, develop friendships with fellow parishioners, and offer service. Join a worldwide organization of almost a million people and 100,000 nationwide. You can make an impact locally: in Rhode Island 500 volunteers donate over 55,000 hours a year, helping nearly 60,000 Rhode Islanders with $1 million in food and $500,000 in direct assistance. Our St. Francis of Assisi conference focuses on those in need in South Kingstown and Narragansett – your neighbors.

When asked what motivates them, conference member respond:

  • The ability to respond to families and individuals who need help in a crisis situation
  • Working together as a community
  • The reward and satisfaction of providing help to those in need
  • Giving yourself the gift of knowing you helped
  • Getting to know fellow parishioners