NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE UNITED STATES
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, INC.
Anonymous Foundation - #1 Report on Systemic Change and Dental Projects
January 8, 2016
Thank you again for the grant of $180,000 for Dental and Systemic Change Projects in September 2015. The
individuals being served with these funds are those living in poverty, without access to these
programs/services. Please know the funds make a difference in their lives. The National Council is working to
ensure the maximum impact within local communities across the country. The grant funds are providing four
dental grant projects ($20,000 each for a total of $80,000) and twenty-two systemic change projects (total of
$100,000).
This is the first of three progress reports you will receive. The report covers approximately the first three
months of the grant period. As you will note, some projects have not yet started, some have just started, one
is being reorganized, others are well on the way and several have been completed. 1 In accordance to our
grant agreement two more reports will be provided. I will provide an update to you in April and a final grant
report in October 2016.
Executive Summary
Dental Projects: Three of the four projects have been started. All three are providing dental services to
individuals who are in the greatest need, individuals who without this grant funding would NOT be receiving
the dental services. The project is providing basic dental hygiene services to an extended number of people
within their projects’ geographic area and another project is providing advance dental services. With only two
projects reporting impact numbers, already 60 individuals have benefited from the grant funding. Finally,
there are several success stories of how the grant funds has impacted the lives of the poor, in one case
allowing someone to obtain a job promotion due to their increased ability to pronounce certain words with
their new teeth.
Systemic Change Projects (22):
The majority of the progress reports show good results during the initial phases. It appears that most of the
Getting Ahead Program projects are getting started in January and February 2016, so there will be more
progress and impact to report in the next two reports. We are pleasantly surprised by the impact in the first
reporting period of 229 individuals being affected by grant funds. The systemic change projects typically do
not affect a large number of people and are more focused on long-term benefits of single families. A few of
the projects noting significant impact are the
 St. William Conference, Williamstown, KY The project has been introduced to the community
with overwhelming support. The project group has assembled the following partners who have
1
In addition to this narrative, we have included an Excel report showing how we track the dollars, time and results for these Friends of
the Poor® grants.
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committed to FREE services for the two families: dentists, auto repairs, hair care, home repairs,
legal, tutoring, job education skills, budgeting and finance training/consulting.
District Council of Peoria, IL: This Council is one of the leaders of the Systemic Change
Movement within the Society. They have 87 people trained from 27 different churches and
social service organizations. Their first class has been completed, graduating 6 (impacting the
lives of 22 family members). Forty-one mentors were also trained. The second class is
scheduled for January 2016 and it is full. The grant is helping to pay for stipends for the
attendees to attend class. There is sufficient funding from the grant to also assist with the
January 2016 class. This is mostly due to the Council’s ability to raise additional funds for this
program.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Conference, Plano, TX: A micro loan program converting predatory
lender high interest loans to market interest rates. The Council has raised an additional $72,000
for the program. Twenty six loans have been made; two are being paid off early, with the
average loan amount of $1,600. The success of this program was noticed by the United Way
and they are in the process of submitting a grant request for $300,000 from them. The grant
has been used to pay off loans of high interest rates and provide loans at 2.2%. The average
interest rate prior to conversion was 415%.
We look forward to keeping you updated on these projects and are hopeful of an additional grant from the
foundation to facilitate another round of dental and systemic change awards in 2016. Please let us know if we
can provide any additional information.
Submitted by,
David Barringer, CEO
And
Steven F. Martinez, MA
Chief Development Officer
Detailed Progress Reports:
Below is the individual grant summary report for the foundations awarded projects. You will see a brief project
description and then the progress report. When provided, I have included “Impact Stories” to demonstrate
how the funds have changed lives.
Dental Projects
Archdiocese of Detroit, Detroit, MI Project: Funds will be used for dentures and supplies and basic dental hygiene
treatments.
Three Month Report: $2,600 has been used for dentures and dental supplies as outlined in the proposal. Many
patients seen at the dental clinic are high need individuals.
*Impact Story: Mary had lived in poverty for a long time. Her teeth were severely decayed both on the top and
bottom and they required extraction. During the healing process, she found employment at a large retailer as a greeter.
However, without her two front teeth, she couldn’t pronounce certain words, so she was hired in at a lower position in
the warehouse. When the dentures were fitted, she had full ability to pronounce all words and she was promoted.
District Council of Dayton, Dayton, OH Project: Funds will be used to expand the number of patients in their full service
dental clinic.
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Three Month Report: At this time none of the funds have been expended, mostly due to the expansion into
dental services of the state Medicaid program, leaving little NEED for the original project. The project is being
redesigned with the assistance of other community partners. There is a current community need to help identify
individuals in low income areas who are in need of dental services, to provide them basic dental services, and assist
them to get registered for Medicaid. It is anticipated the funds will be used for community wide dental health fairs.
St. Michael Conference, Exeter, NH Project: Funds will be used to expand current emergency services and number of
new patients.
Three Month Report: Dental Hygiene equipment was ordered and received. The new program has been initiated
with patients being seen starting in October 2015. Fifty two (52) patients have received emergency dental care with the
grant money, representing a 37% increase in those being served. Services provided have included emergency dental
services, oral hygiene dental program services, and emergency dental van. $6,000 has been used.
St. Rita Conference- St. Petersburg, FL Project: Emergency oral health care services for low income individuals.
Three Month Report: Eight patients have been seen for emergency services; x-rays, full dental exams, cleanings,
extractions, oral surgeon, and the treatment of oral infections. There is a referral process in place to use the grant funds
for those most in need.
*Impact Story: “Yolanda, a farm worker had two broken teeth which were broken at the gum line. Without the
funding from this grant the following treatment would not have been provided: a comprehensive oral exam, x-rays,
cleaning, and extraction.
Systemic Change Projects
St. Louise de Marillac Conference, Pineville, WV: To expand an existing garden program, teaching 100 people
how to grow their own food.
Three Month Report: A marketing plan was implemented to recruit participants for Spring 2016
project. On-going discussions with community leaders are taking place in an effort to locate appropriate land
for the community gardens.
St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Conference, Hammonton, NJ: Seed money to match conference funds to start Getting
Ahead Program.
Three Month Report: Awaiting project report.
Diocesan Council of Cleveland, OH: A jobs training program.
Three Month Report: There has been no impact. The staff position responsible for project
implementation is currently being hired.
St. Pius X Conference, Indianapolis, IN: Women prisoner reentry program.
Three Month Report: The report writer said, “The grant gave us the encouragement to move forward
with the program!” Much progress has been made in pulling together the community resources necessary for
the program and five previously incarcerated women were added to the board of directors. The project is
partnered with: Journey Beyond Redemption, a community support group of ex-offenders, Indiana Women’s
Prison, Parole District Number One, Volunteers of American and Warehouse skills.
*Impact Story: “Kim, a young woman was released with $75 and two sets of clothes, no job, no place to live, and
an ankle bracelet. With this SVdP program assistance, the young woman found a place to live, a phone, was registered
for food stamps, and obtained bedding, dishes, and personal care products.
St. William Conference, Williamstown, KY: To implement the Turn the Corner Program, modeled after the
SVdPUSA National Systemic Change Program called, Getting Ahead.
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Three Month Report: The project has been introduced to the community with overwhelming support.
The selection of families was postponed to give school resource officers and the local pastors additional time
to identify families who are in the most need. The coordinating group has assembled the following partners
who have committed to FREE services for the two families: dentists, auto repairs, hair care, home repairs,
legal, tutoring, job education skills, budgeting and finance training/consulting.
St. Michael the Archangel Conference Aurora, CO: To implement a systemic change financial program
Three Month Report: The project has been completed. A family living in poverty was selected and the
funds were used to reduce the student loan debt for the family.
*Impact story: The parents and their four children were struggling. Mom couldn’t work, DAD was in school and
the family required some kind of regular assistance. The father graduated with $15,400 in student loan debt and no way
to repay it. The father, now a graduate from a physical therapy program is able to provide for the family and his student
loan debt is drastically reduced to a level where he can now manage a regular payment.
St. Anthony of Padua Conference, St. Louis, MO: A systemic change project for someone living in generational
poverty. The project goal is to assist someone to advance past an entry level job in field of health care.
Three Month Report: A single mom who has been a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) for five years was
selected. The person was enrolled in the PCT Program (Patent Care Technician Licensing Program at a licensed
training center). This is the next career step in the entry level nursing field. She is doing well in the program
and is scheduled to graduate in June 2016. The funds were used to pay tuition for the PCT Program. The
project is complete.
*Impact Story: A single mom, with four children living in poverty for generations is struggling to meet her
monthly expenses on a Certified Nurse Assistant (entry level) salary. Her family was sleeping on the floor, they were also
in need of other kinds of emergency assistance when SVdP made a home visit. Her immediate needs were met and a
long term strategy was to return to school. The grant provided training at the BKA Medical Training Center where she will
be graduating with her PCT License. Upon graduation she will obtain a significant pay increase. She is NOW on the
journey out of poverty for the first time in generations.
District Council of Peoria, IL: To implement the SVDPUSA Getting Ahead Program.
Three Month Report: This Council is one of the leaders in the Systemic Change Movement within the
Society. They have 87 people trained from 27 different churches and social service organizations. Their first
class has been completed, graduating 6 (impacting the lives of 22 family members). Forty-one mentors were
also trained. The second class is scheduled for January 2016 and it is full. The grant is helping to pay stipends
for the attendees to attend class. There is sufficient funding from the grant to also assist with the January
2016 class. This is mostly due to the Council’s ability to raise additional funds for this program.
District Council of Green Bay, WI: To implement the SVDPUSA Getting Ahead Program.
Three Month Report: The Council has completed the first phase of the program, hosting a Bridges Out
of Poverty Seminar. Thirty-two individuals attended and the overwhelming evaluation was strongly
supportive. The Getting Ahead Program will start in February and conclude in June 2016.
St. Joseph Conference, Marinette, WI: The funds will be used for the Getting Ahead Program, which has been
operating for the past four years. The funding will allow for an additional program.
Three Month Report: They have expanded their eligibility area to include the Tri-County Area and are
currently interviewing for a new program manager for their next session. The first session benefited 38
families in the Tri-County area. The team is now in the process of assembling their community resource team
for the January session.
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Council of Providence, RI: Implement Getting Ahead Program
Three Month Report: The program will be implemented in April and conclude in August 2016.
Council of Rockville Centre, NY: The project consists of a two tier approach to systemic change.
Three Month Report: A Poverty Simulation was held in November with 95 Vincentians participating.
Out of this group, 25 Vincentians indicated they wanted to be trained as mentors. The Collective Impact, tier
two, of their model failed in two different communities. This concluded their project and they will be sharing
impact stories as they are developed.
Council of Dallas, TX: To implement the “Reasoning Minds Program” and assessment and individualized 1:1
mathematic program at the Dallas Council afterschool study time locations.
Three Month Report: The program is currently being developed with implementation taking place in
2016. They have identified measurable metrics of student’s success for the program, which has led to an
additional larger grant award for the program.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Conference, Plano, TX: Mini loan program expansion.
Three Month Report: Since the award, the Council has raised an additional $72,000 for the program.
Twenty six loans have been made; two are being paid off early, with the average loan amount of $1,600. The
success of this program was noticed by the United Way and they are in the process of submitting a grant
request for $300,000 from them. The grant has been used to pay off loans of high interest rates and provide
loans at 2.2%. The interest rate prior to conversion was 415%.
*Impact Story: “Greetings, first my thanks for bringing this program into my life! I can’t remember a time when I
felt as good as I did when this micro loan was completed. I was paying $684/monthly for two years and just getting by,
an outlay of over $16,000 and that still didn’t put a dent in what I owed. I now only pay $235/month and within one year
my debt will be retired.”
Queen of Heaven Conference, Albuquerque, NM: Implementing the SVdPUSA Getting Ahead program for
parents of children who are enrolled in a Catholic school. The funds will be used to pay for Catholic education
for a family living in poverty and provide the parents with the Getting Ahead Program.
Three Month Report: Over thirty families expressed interest. Marketing materials were prepared in
English and Spanish. Six families actually enrolled for the program and one family with two children has begun
school. The Getting Ahead Program will start in February and end in April for the parents. The program
mentors are being trained and will be assigned to the family upon competition of the program.
*Quote used in marketing materials: “The love of God and neighbor is not something abstract, but,
profoundly concrete: It means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him
concretely. And YOU are, dear brothers and sisters, the face of Jesus.” Pope Francis 6/7/2013
ADCC of New Orleans, LA: New business start-up program
Three Month Report: Awaiting Report
Archdiocesan Council of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia: Getting Ahead Program
Three Month Report: They are currently working with the Morehouse School of Medicine first year
medical students and Dr. Ruby Thomas to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to establish the
community program needs. This will be completed by the end of January 2016 with program content
identified by the end of the first quarter 2016.
Good Shepherd Conference, Newport, TN: To implement a financial literacy program.
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Three Month Report: Four classes were held for financial literacy. The classes were taught by a local
bank executive with six individuals completing all four sessions. These individuals received a $300 stipend each
for completing all four sessions. The evaluations were very positive, with the most helpful session being the
personalized session in preparing a budget.
*Impact Story: One of the graduates met several times outside of class, as she required additional assistance to
learn how to improve her credit score, so she can get an apartment. She is a single mom who lives with her three children
in a camper located in a RV park. She works at Cracker Barrel and recently had been promoted to the “New Employee
Trainer position and is currently undergoing that training. She had a slight set back, as her savings was needed for legal
fees to fight for custody of her three children. She remains positive, now knowing how to budget and save. Also during
this time, she has renewed relationships with her MOM, who will be attending the next financial literacy program,
leading to TWO generations journeying out of poverty.
Council of Tucson, AZ: To implement the SVDPUSA Getting Ahead Program.
Three Month Report: The project is currently recruiting investigators to participate and they have
secured a location for the program-St. Frances Cabrini Parish. The program is anticipating launch in February,
no funds have been used to date.
Council of Phoenix, AZ: To design, produce and implement resources for the Vincentian Mentor Program and
match 20 families with mentors.
Three Month Report: The first three months focused mainly on strategies, program development and
initial conversations with stakeholders and community service groups. An outcome has been the development
of a questionnaire that is designed to provide valuable feedback for the matching of Mentors.
District Council of Tacoma Pierce County, WA: To implement the SVDPUSA Getting Ahead Program.
Three Month Report: The trained instructors have met to develop the training session dates and are
beginning the recruitment phase. The program will launch in February. No funds have been used.
~The END~
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