SVDP - solar energy, jobs, people in poverty

John Freund, CM
July 25, 2012

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County offers an innovative program that provides jobs, lowered electricity costs and help to those who are poor that sounds like a winning trifecta.

“Frederic Ozanam was tired of simply walking past people on the street while preaching compassion. Together with a group of fellow students, he sought to “practice what he preached” by bringing bread, clothing and friendship to Paris’s poor. Over 100 years later, The International Society of St. Vincent de Paul continues this legacy by providing a helping hand to those in need–in the Bay Area and throughout the world.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County serves more than 150,000 people annually, regardless of race, creed or origin. They provide hot daily meals to the hungry, drop-in resource centers for the homeless, a health clinic and a computer lab. Additionally, they offer job training through their culinary academy, four thrift stores, auto donation program and electronic waste collection business.

With over 75,700 unemployed people in Alameda County alone, St. Vincent’s services are critical to helping our society navigate these tough economic times.

For every $100 share that you purchase in St. Vincent’s solar project you’ll help them save over $330 in reduced electricity costs. Not only your investment have triple the impact for a vital community center, you’ll also support the creation of over 500 local green job hours. Invest in this project today and help St. Vincent continue to serve our society’s most vulnerable.

http://vimeo.com/solarmosaic/oakland
 
For 35 years, St. Vincent de Paul’s Free Dining Room has provided hot meals to the hungry and the homeless in one of Northern California’s deepest pockets of poverty. An open door and a friendly word and a hot meal are a recipe for a better tomorrow.
St. Vincent de Paul’s job training opportunities include the Kitchen of Champions Culinary Training Program. More than 70% of this program’s graduates gain jobs in the food service industry. In addition, students help prepare more than 1,000 free meals, five days a week, for the SVdP Dining Room in Oakland, CA.
St. Vincent de Paul’s Drop-In Centers provide a range of services to help homeless and disadvantaged men, women, mothers and children, including: shower facilities, laundry facilities, clothing, infant formula and diapers, personal care services, a children’s play area, phone and voicemail service, transportation vouchers, and referrals for vital services such as housing, domestic violence assistance and job training.

Tags: , , ,

share Share