Vincent de Paul (SSVP) in Cambridge, Ontario. It is a collaborative effort of 5 parishes (known collectively as a Particular Council): St. Gregory's, St. Patrick's, and St. Ambrose. In addition to its retail operation, the store assists people needing help to establish a new home with beds, furnishings and household goods. It does so by working with the 5 parish SSVP conferences and local social service agencies such as Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, the Family Outreach team at the House of Friendship and Lutherwood. While many of the items are sold at a low cost to the partnering organization to keep the store operating, other items are provided at no cost to the recipient. The store, Particular Council and the 5 parish conferences contribute well over $100,000 annually in assistance to the community. If you are in need, please contact one of the 5 parish SSVP conferences or one of our partner organizations. Our Mission: To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy. St. Vincent de Paul was a French priest who lived in the 17th century. He dedicated his adult life to serving the poor. It was his spirit of service to the Poor that prompted a French scholar, Frederick Ozanam, to found the St. Vincent de Paul Society in 1833. It is now a world-wide organization dedicated to helping the poor. While autonomous in governance and administration from the Catholic Church, there is a close and healthy relationship between the Conferences and the Church.
