Conference News and Notes
for Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Sent to all Vincentians & Staff
|
|
Vincentian Reflection for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 14, 2022
Gospel: (Luke 12:49-53) Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it be accomplished! Did you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother… ”
Reflection: In this gospel, Jesus is shocking! Jesus has a fire for accomplishing his mission and is single-minded in doing so. His very message is divisive because it calls others to a radical way of living - self-giving for the good of others. We must make a choice to follow him, to choose to speak God’s word and preach the values consistent with God’s reign. Divisions occur simply by being faithful to God’s message. This is the real shock value of the gospel: being a faithful disciple of Jesus will instigate a clash of values, of principles, of priorities. This choice can result in divisions, even within families, because all us do not make the same choice to follow Jesus. (Living Liturgy, p.194)
Vincentian Meditation: “On the journey of life, we must make choices. Our instincts, our selfishess, our pride will often suggest to us to follow them. It is an easier road. But Christ, His Church and our consciences suggest another way. To follow that road, we must say no to our natural instincts. It may be difficult and demand much effort, but that effort will bring with it a peace and contentment that money will not buy.” (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 589)
What difficult choices have you made that led to a peace and contentment?
How can we best be with those around us in their difficult choices?
|
|
Your Formation and Training Opportunities & Tips |
|
Feeling the call to share your Vincentian vocation?
Recognizing how much your Conference could use more fellow Vincentians to engage and serve your neighbors experiencing need?
We encourage each Family of Parishes to send at least one Vincentian member to this Welcoming & Fulfilling New Members Workshop, then share within your Conference and Family of Parishes. Please RSVP via Signup Genius here .
++++++++++++
Ozanam Orientation – A two-part Ozanam Orientation will be hosted on consecutive Wednesday evenings, 9/14 & 9/21, 5:30-8:30pm, at Our Lady of the Visitation. Designed for new members and those who would like a refresher, we will explore what it means to be a Vincentian member of this Society. Participants must take part in both sections to complete our Society's requirement. This is also a great way to invite prospective members to know more about who we are. To Register for this Ozanam Orientation, please sign up here .
++++++++++++
Please Save The Date! Our annual Fall Fellowship Mass and Reception will be celebrated on Sunday, 9/25, 9am-noon, @ St. Ursula Academy. The price is a mere $10 to offset our costs. A registration link and further details will be coming soon. In the meantime, you will find nomination forms for our Fires of Faith, Ozanam, & Top Hat awards, along with award criteria and lists of recent honorees, by clicking on this link: member support and forms , then enter: member when prompted for a password. Click on Fall Fellowship Awards Nominations Forms in the list of resources to download a viewable & printable copy. Nominations will be accepted for consideration until Wed, 8/31.
++++++++++++
|
|
Resource Spotlight to Feature our Becky Catino Women's Self-Sufficiency, Employment, and Empowerment Program
Tomorrow (Thurs, 8/11), 2pm, via Zoom
Program Manager Tara Kerrigan will explain what systemic change is, why it is impactful, and what this Becky Catino Women’s Program is doing to help our neighbors. This informative hour will include an overview of the acceptance process, indicators of quality referrals, and how you can be involved. Please use this link when you are ready to join us via Zoom to learn more about this innovative program:
|
|
Conference Officers Training Workshop & Forum
Just 1 Month from Today
All current & incoming Conference Officers (Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Treasurers, & Secretaries) are invited and highly encouraged to participate in this annual workshop. Expand your servant leadership toolkit with your peers. Will include breakout sessions and content such as Council resources, CMS, Beacons of Light, and other insight & ideas to assist you as your leadership team realizes your vision of progress for your members & neighbors.
When & where: Sat, 9/10, 9am-noon, in our Neyer Outreach Center (NOC).
Your rsvp is requested asap so we can properly prepare accommodations; registration closes Wed, 9/7. Please register here .
|
|
Hope to Dream
St. Vincent de Paul is again partnering with Morris Home Furniture and WCPO to provide beds to kids in need in Cincinnati. Hope to Dream (formerly Day to Dream) will be hosted on Saturday, 8/27, at the Reds Youth Academy (2026 E Seymour Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45237). In celebration of their 75th anniversary as a company, Morris has committed to provide 75 beds this year.
Children who participate in the program will receive a twin bed (mattress, box spring, and frame) as well as bedding, a pillow, and an assortment of other goodies. After a short program on 8/27, the beds will be delivered to the family’s home. We do require that the families attend the 8/27 event.
We're currently seeking your help in finding children to participate in this program.
Please follow this link https://form.jotform.com/221945170220042 for eligibility information and to complete an online registration form for each family. We still have space available, so all Conferences are welcome to submit families (even Conferences who have already submitted five requests).
Please submit forms by this Friday, 8/12, so we can begin working on scheduling and logistics. Yes, we extended an extra week to give you greater opportunity to submit prospective children/families. What a great back-to-school blessing a bed & a good night's sleep could be! Any questions, contact Erin at rahebedfund@svdpcincinnati.org .
Thanks for your help in connecting children in Cincinnati with brand new beds!
|
|
Back-to-School Season is Upon Us
What a Great Time to Extend SVDP Thrift Store Assistance
Fact: We have redeemed less thrift store vouchers than we projected for our current fiscal year which will end on 9/30.
Fact: Inflation is stretching household budgets and forcing hard spending decisions for many.
Opportunity: Please consider what some fresh clothing might do to lift the spirits - and educational experience - of students in the neighborhoods which surround you.
You can help by making a conscious, concerted effort to extend clothing & household goods vouchers to eligible neighbors experiencing the pinch.
We thank our in-kind donors and our thrift store team members for this opportunity to create positive impact which could change lives long after this clothing is outgrown!
Looking ahead to September, we can help our neighbors with fall seasonal clothing.
And 1 More Fact: Our thrift stores are hiring - employment could be a truly impactful hand-up!
|
|
Archdiocese of Cincinnati Beacons of Light Initiative
Yes, Beacons of Light went "live" on 7/1. We're more than a month "in". New pastors have arrived and are engaged.
We encourage you to seize this opportunity for your Conference and you to:
- Connect with fellow Vincentians within your Family of Parishes
- Nurture relationship with your Family of Parishes pastor and parochial vicars
- Participate in the leadership process as your Family of Parishes creates and realizes your collective vision of vibrant parish life
- Partake in determining how your Conference is best positioned to live this Vincentian vocation for your members, Family of Parishes, neighbors, & community
- Attract potential Vincentians to join you in this vocation - for today and a multitude of tomorrows
You can learn more about Beacons as our Archdiocese continues to post fresh content at BeaconsAOC.org , including the Pathway Platform created to guide our journey.
Does your Conference or Family of Parishes have news to share?
|
|
Two COVID Facts - Staying Informed
First, Hamilton County’s current COVID-19 community level of variant transmission has risen to “High”. As a result of this change to "High", we have reinstituted mandatory mask wearing for all staff at our Neyer Outreach Center (NOC), Liz Carter Center (LCC), and our thrift stores. We are also recommending wearing masks to our neighbors and visitors to our facilities - and making masks available.
Second, you or your neighbor can order free at-home COVID-19 tests. Each order contains 8 individual tests. Limit of 3 orders per household. Orders are delivered to your home by USPS. Google COVID.gov/tests to learn more and place an order.
Please protect your own health so you can be the Vincentian neighbor you aspire to be!
|
|
Summer Heat Relief Program Update
Our walk-in fan program has ended. Our final number of fans distributed is 1,523.
Our AC waitlist is also closed as we are continuing to contact neighbors currently on our waitlist if/when we are able to assist them. To-date, we’ve distributed 939 ACs.
Our neighbors tell us hot fun in the summertime, Cincinnati style, is even more enjoyable when cooler comfort is available. We've reached nearly 2,500 homes...and what could be cooler than sharing comfort?
|
|
Haircuts from the Heart have Returned to our NOC
Bad hair day? Not here.
Haircuts from the Heart, courtesy of Franciscan Ministries, has restarted their free haircut program. Stylist Margarita will be in our NOC on the first and second Monday of each month, 9am-noon, cutting hair in a room on the 2nd floor. Monday, 9/12, is the next date she will be here (as the NOC is closed on Mon, 9/5, for Labor Day). Neighbors are accepted on a walk-in basis, and should sign in at our NOC reception desk upon arrival.
|
|
CMS Tips, Tricks, & Transformations
John Wessel, our Resource Analyst, has created a series of over 30 easily viewed and absorbed videos that are available to you 24/7 on our CMS Support Page, https://www.svdpcincinnati.org/cms-support-page/. Password, if you are prompted: member .
Great news:
- Our Cathedral/St Francis Xavier joint Conference & our St Jude Conference implemented CMS in July
- St Saviour & St Teresa of Avila Conferences are committed to implement CMS this month
- St Antoninus & St Dominic Conferences target September to implement CMS
- Our Lady of Lourdes, St Mary (Hyde Park), St John the Baptist (Harrison), & St Boniface Conferences are also in our active pipeline
John Wessel is creating new ways to harvest & present the data you are capturing in CMS, when he's not engaging current & soon-to-be users.
Still holding out? Ask a Treasurer of a Conference utilizing CMS how much easier a monthly or quarterly close is in CMS.
Act now - your Conference could start FY2023 on 10/1/2022 with CMS in your toolkit!
|
|
More Resources for our Conferences and Neighbors
Conference Assistance Fund (CAF)
We, together, extended $581,008 in total FY2022 CAF assistance for the 9 months ended 6/30/2022, including $78,885 to 180 households in June.
Our final July activity was quite similar to June:
-
You submitted 189 applications
-
We approved 185 applications = households assisted; 3 were transferred for ERA 1 evaluation; 9 were declined (ineligible or extremely unsustainable); and 3 were withdrawn
-
We extended $79,224, thanks to additional July CAF funding
August is already active (now 7 days in):
-
You've submitted 58 fresh applications
-
We've approved 58 applications; 2 have been declined
-
We currently have 42 applications in progress toward approval
Please take note of our high volume of CAF applications. While our CAF exists to be extended to your/our neighbors, please also seize opportunities to help our neighbors experiencing need to access governmental programs for which they may qualify and other publicly- and privately-funded assistance resources. This is particularly relevant for neighbors navigating chronic budgetary shortfalls. Examples include SNAP, SSDI, and the PRC program administered by Hamilton County Job and Family Services ("JFS").
We offer thanks to those Conferences & their donors who have recently twinned through CAF. We also appreciate the direct twinning activity between Conferences with surplus funds and those experiencing more need than the funding they organically attract. If your Conference is currently blessed with funds exceeding 2-3 months of your normal operating outflow, please know that we have fellow Conferences in search of funds to invest in lifting neighbors right now. We invite your Conference to discern if twinning is your best available act of faithful stewardship.
Thanks to our volunteers who are processing applications so promptly, and to Olivia & Alec.
CAF Spreadsheet Reminder:
Publicly-Funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA1)
We are now extending ERA assistance - working in conjunction with Community Action Agency (CAA) who has been extending assistance through this program for months. Our Council will be extending this assistance to selected, eligible Hamilton County residents until 9/30/2022. This deeply-funded program can provide substantial rent & utilities assistance for neighbors who have been directly or indirectly impacted by COVID. Your Conference & you have the opportunity to identify neighbors who are eligible prospective recipients and actively participate in the process leading to assistance extended. This program does have mandated specs and significant documentation requirements.
Over 30 Vincentians participated in our Resource Spotlight - ERA1 for Conferences - via Zoom on Thurs, 7/7. For those who could not join us - and for ongoing reference for all - we have posted links to the recording of this Zoom session, the embedded PowerPoint presentation, and other relevant documents to our member support and forms page of our website. Just enter: member when prompted for a password, then look for Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) and click on the resource you desire. You can also reach out to Olivia Scheper & Alec Jewell of our Conferences Support team for further clarity. Finally, please reach out to Olivia if you are interested in volunteering to help process applications.
Our Conferences' ERA1 activity to-date: 6 applications submitted, processed, & approved; 6 more applications have been accepted and are currently in-process; and another 7 prospective applications are in various stages of collaboration between our Vincentians and neighbors.
Metro Bus Passes (Everybody Rides Metro)
Your Conference has access to Metro bus passes to be extended to neighbors for use for any of 3 defined purposes:
- Commute to/from new employment
- Commute to/from our Bank St services hub or other community social services
- Commute to/from medical appointments
Please understand that these passes are sourced through the Everybody Rides Metro program and our Council is required to comply with the above-referenced usages and submit reports of passes distributed. Please also understand that your Conference will need to record bus passes extended in CMS for the neighbors receiving this assistance. Our Bus Pass Guidelines sheet for Conferences is available to you on the Members Support page of our website https://www.svdpcincinnati.org/conferences-members/member-support/
or use this link to go directly to this document
If your Conference wants to learn more about this program or request passes, please contact Alec Jewell, Conferences Manager, at ajewell@svdpcincinnati.org or 513.345.4983.
Our Charitable Pharmacy is Still Providing COVID Vaccinations
The CDC has recently released new guidance on boosters for those most susceptible to severe COVID complications. We have the Pfizer vaccine. Want more info? Our Charitable Pharmacy staff is available to answer any questions. You can contact Dr. Rusty Curington at rcurington@svdpcincinnati.org and a Pharmacy team member will respond.
Our Re-Entry Program
Our Re-Entry Program Manager, Dion Crockett, is eager to work with you to assist neighbors you are serving who have been affected by the criminal justice system. If you would like to host Dion at a Conference meeting, get together with him in another way, or discuss a particular situation, Dion can be reached at 513.562.8851 or dcrockett@svdpcincinnati.org .
Rahe Beds Fund & Program
Thank you, everyone, for using the new bed online request form to submit your August Bed Requests. All requests submitted by 8/5 have been processed and are in the mail or ready for pick-up. Please send any questions or feedback about the new form to rahebedfund@svdpcincinnati.org. The great news about this online form is that we can continue to make small, functional improvements without having to release a new version. Our goal is to make this process as user-friendly as possible and enable us to process requests quickly so we can get the vouchers in the hands of neighbors.
If your Conference is considering purchasing beds to extend as assistance, you can get info, including current pricing, or purchase by contacting Dave Chidlow, Stores Retail Resource Manager, at dchidlow@svdpcincinnati.org or 513.853.1002. Your purchased beds will be picked up at our CHRC within our Liz Carter Center. Please be aware that our beds cost and resale pricing have risen significantly.
We still have cribs & pack ‘n’ plays available for neighbors with children too young for beds (under age two). These do not count against the limit of two Rahe beds per household per lifetime. If you have a neighbor who is in need of a crib or pack ‘n’ play, please contact Erin at rahebedfund@svdpcincinnati.org. We will provide the neighbor with a voucher that can be redeemed at our CHRC.
Do you have questions about our Rahe Beds Fund & Program?
You can find the most updated Bed Fund Conference Guide in the Members section of the SVDP website, which includes some updates to the way beds assistance should be entered in CMS.
The link to our online request form can be found here .
Cooking Improv with La Soupe
Our partner La Soupe teams with our Catino Choice Pantry to present monthly Cooking Improv demonstrations in the Teaching Kitchen at our NOC. Instructors from La Soupe and volunteers engage participants on basic cooking principles and how to use what you have to create delicious, nutritious meals. All recipes are based off ingredients found daily in our Catino Choice Pantry. The demonstrations are on the first Wednesday of every month, 11am-1pm. Neighbors are encouraged to sample the delicious dishes and discuss preparation and ingredients with our staff, volunteers, and resident La Soupe instructor Chef Mona!
The next event is Wednesday, September 7. No pre-registration is required.
Feel free to share this information with your neighbors, or if you’re interested in getting involved in our Teaching Kitchen programming, please reach out to Demi Schoenherr at dschoenherr@svdpcincinnati.org for more information.
Education Center Within Our Neyer Outreach Center
Our NOC Education Center is available for neighbors to use during our operating hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm, and Saturday, 8am - noon.
Christ Church Plumb Line
Olivia Scheper, Conferences Support Coordinator, is our central contact point-person. Plumb Line only accepts assistance referrals from this single SVDP point-person.
As a reminder, Plumb Line can assist with $400 of past due rent for neighbors who are currently working.
All referrals to Plumb Line should be sent to:
Olivia Scheper
Phone: 513.345.4986, ext 239
Please understand and have faith: Plumb Line only communicates with the landlord and the neighbor after our referral is made. Therefore, once we have submitted your neighbor referral to Plumb Line, no news is good news. Christ Church will only communicate with us when they are unable to assist a neighbor or there are difficulties with a case. We should not contact Christ Church for status reports on a referral.
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW)
GCWW's Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program provides funds for assistance for eligible tenants residing in the City of Cincinnati. There are eligibility stipulations. Tenants must qualify by completing an online application at assistance.mygcww.org .
Renters can also call 513.591.7700 to receive assistance from the call center to complete an application. There is also a flexible payment plan through the PromisePay Portal. GCWW customers can visit GCWW.promise-pay.com for details about the program and how to enroll. Renters not residing in Cincinnati city limits but living in Hamilton County can visit https://erap.hcjfs.org/ for utility assistance. If you need additional materials or information, please contact GCWW at GCWWCares@gcww.cincinnati-oh.gov .
Duke Energy
The combination of high temperatures and elevated fuel prices will impact summer bills.
Duke Energy recently implemented a new billing and payment system - and had suspended disconnections for nonpayment as they fine-tuned this new system. They have now advised that they have resumed standard billing and credit policies, including disconnections for non-payment. Customers may have begun receiving disconnection notifications and actual disconnections will begin taking place this month.
Duke encourages us to follow our standard steps for processing pledges on customer accounts. For questions on accounts or pledges for neighbors requesting utility assistance, please contact Duke Energy's Centralized Agency Team at 800.241.3194. Advocates are currently available Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 5:30pm.
Duke also encourages us to direct customers to their summer bills page and to these helpful fact sheets to find helpful programs, tips and tools. Should a customer not meet their qualifications for assistance, please refer them to Duke's customer care organization at 800.544.6900 where they may find assistance through a flexible installment plan.
Additional info on public assistance resources can be found at energyhelp.ohio.gov .
State of Ohio Program for Struggling Homeowners
Save the Dream Ohio helps eligible Ohio homeowners facing foreclosure and/or who cannot afford to pay their mortgage payments, utility payments or other related housing costs as a result of economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of Ohio was awarded $280 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for the program. Click here for more information:
City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County COVID Assistance
Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation (CEIF) Vision Clinic in our Neyer Outreach Center
The Vision Clinic operates by appointment on certain Thursdays as designated by CEIF. Our Vision Clinic is open tomorrow (8/11) and each of the remaining Thursdays in August, 8:30am - 3pm. A limited number of walk-in exams can also be accommodated. To schedule an appointment, or to inquire for additional info, please call 513.207.6140.
|
|
Call to Prayer
Lord Jesus, bless us this day,
with the courage to follow you.
Lord Jesus, bless us this day,
with willingness to forgive those who hurt us.
Lord Jesus, bless us this day,
with the strength to care for the poor.
Lord Jesus, bless us this day,
with the faith to live our convictions.
Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
