The “Ladies of Charity Miami,” a group of thirty AIC volunteers founded in 2019 in Florida, USA, have developed an impressive number of activities over the past few years. Many of the volunteers have Hispanic backgrounds, and are well equipped to help people who have moved to the United States from Central America adapt to their new life. Volunteers offer food and help with rent to people who have difficulties making ends meet. They help younger immigrants prepare for high school equivalency tests and provide online courses on St Vincent’s work. More recently, they have begun to offer psychological support to people who are migrants.

In late 2019, a small group of thirty women in Miami came together as “Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.” Most of these women are first generation Americans with Hispanic backgrounds, meaning they have moved to the country from Latin America and have gained American citizenship. This group of volunteers supports migrants from Haiti, Cuba and other Central American countries. They address the specific needs of people living in poverty (food, support for paying rent, and clothing for children) through the “Matthew 25” program, working closely with other branches of the Vincentian Family (the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Daughters of Charity and the Association of the Miraculous Medal).

According to Paulina Velez, President of the Miami association, one of the biggest issues their beneficiaries face is rent. When this is the case, volunteers will help to find resources in the community to support them. Many times, volunteers refer their beneficiaries to agencies in the community which are better able to address long-term needs. As part of the “Matthew 25” program, volunteers distribute food donated by local supermarkets once a month. In November 2024, they were thus able to distribute 130 turkeys for the holidays.

Distributing food and Thanksgiving turkeys with the Daughters of Charity

In addition to direct aid, volunteers have initiated a systemic change program called “Ready for Life” directed towards younger immigrants. The focus is on helping teenagers studying for high school equivalency tests or GED (the General Educational Development tests), and helping the teens develop new skills to succeed in the United States. For instance, volunteers have raised funds to provide students with computers so that they can connect with tutors online. Approximately 40 students have benefitted from this program.

Through another program called “Minukaridad,” directed towards children, volunteers have also extended their outreach to other countries in South America, where donors from the USA sponsor children to help pay for books and other educational tools. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when physical interaction was limited, children were able to connect to workshops and classes to learn more about Catholicism and the charism of St Vincent. These classes inspired one child in Ecuador, for example, to work with her local parish to distribute food to people living in poverty. Classes have continued since the pandemic and about 60 children have participated so far.

More recently, volunteers have initiated a new project called “Listen and Serve” in partnership with the Daughters of Charity. Thanks to this project, people who are migrants can speak to Vincentian psychologists, who offer them guidance and support.

Volunteers holding a garage sale

Ladies of Charity Miami is not a large association, but its members have been actively cooperating with other Vincentian groups in Miami. Their initial emphasis was on formation, spirituality and recruitment, but their projects have grown over the past five years. Spirituality still remains an important aspect of the group’s work. Women who are unable to participate actively in the projects support the group through prayer, saying the rosary every day at 3:30 p.m. Volunteers hold monthly meetings with their Spiritual Moderator, Sister Amanda, a Daughter of Charity from Colombia.

“Our Lord’s work is accomplished not so much by the multitude of workers as by the fidelity of the small number whom He calls” 

– St Vincent de Paul

To follow the Miami AIC volunteers’ inspiring work, visit their Facebook page “Ladies of Charity Miami AIC”.

Submitted by: Suzanne Johnson
Source: https://www.aic-international.org/