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 s
ervice 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.
