A mother hugging her daughter
Our Mission seeks to eliminate the causes of poverty.

Our focus is on practical approach to dealing with poverty, alleviating its effects on individuals and families through working primarily in person-to-person contact by a unique system of family visitation and seeking to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity for all citizens.

In addition to providing direct assistance to those in need, caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating holiday homes and other social support activities, the Society promotes community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves. Any assistance offered by the Society is given in a non-judgemental spirit, based on the needs of the individual or family seeking help.

The Society respects the dignity of those who contact us, offering assistance and advice when sought, maintaining their dignity while assisting them towards long-term self-sufficiency in a relationship of friendship, trust and confidentiality.

Two old ladies hugging
Who we are

The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) Ireland is part of an international Christian voluntary network dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to people in need. Founded in Ireland in 1844, we foster diverse and inclusive connections, as a Society that is welcoming of people of all faiths and none.

Our 10,000+ members, visit vulnerable or isolated people across Ireland and offer them friendship and practical support. The essence of our work is person-to-person contact and spending time with people is our greatest gift.

A lady crying
Our history

"The question which is agitating the world today is a social one. It is a struggle between those who have nothing and those who have too much. It is a violent clash of opulence and poverty which is shaking the ground under our feet. Our duty as Christians is to throw ourselves between these two camps in order to accomplish by love what justice alone cannot do".

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