Meet the Johnson Family…
A Vincentian from our St. Vincent de Paul St. Bernard Conference recently met with the Johnson family—a family of eight who had just relocated to our area. With six children and a newly rented townhouse, they were doing their best to start fresh, but they had almost no furniture.
Dad had quickly advanced from fast-food employee to store manager, earning a stable income to support his family. Mom stays home to care for their children, including three not yet in school. Despite their hard work and optimism, the family’s most urgent need was clear: beds. The parents were sleeping on an air mattress, and the children on a couch or the floor. Our Vincentian prayed with the Johnsons—thanking God for the blessings they had and trusting Him to provide for what they still lacked.
Our Vincentian first contacted another local organization, but no beds were available. Undeterred, he provided the Johnson family with a furniture voucher for one queen bed and three twin beds through SVdP’s own Voucher Program. That’s a lot of beds to request at once—but thanks to the generosity of donors in our community, the need was met immediately. That very day, the Johnsons borrowed a truck and picked up their new beds: grateful, excited, and finally able to sleep with comfort and dignity. Receiving those beds freed up their limited income to go toward other monthly expenses.
Thanks to the ongoing generosity of donors, St. Vincent de Paul was able to support the Johnson family during a crucial time. Your contributions, whether furniture, financial gifts, or prayers, make it possible for SVdP to care for neighbors in need. Helping families like the Johnsons meet their basic needs through compassion and service is the core of SVdP’s mission.
June 1, 2025
Meet John & Sarah…
We’ve all heard about the struggle to find affordable housing—the crushing rent prices, the impossible security deposits. But for too many families, this isn’t just a news headline—it’s their reality.
Recently, a St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Vincentian from the St. Bernadette Conference met with a married couple in Appleton who are living in an extended-stay motel, trying desperately to get back on their feet. They came here from Missouri a few years ago, hoping for a fresh start. But life hasn’t been easy. The husband, who had been staying at COTS, reunited with his wife after she could no longer stay with a friend.They found a duplex they could call home, but when the landlord asked for a $3,000 security deposit, they simply couldn’t come up with the money in time. The home was rented to someone else.
When the Vincentians met them, they wanted to help. That’s exactly why SVdP exists—to step in and provide financial assistance in moments like this. But the reality is, we just didn’t have the resources to cover such a large deposit. All we could do was offer guidance, connect them with other resources, and hope they could find another way.
Now, they’re stuck in survival mode. The husband works a job he loves, and his wife is searching for work after leaving her last job due to health concerns. They’re trying to rebuild, to have faith, to trust that things will get better. But how can they save for a security deposit when every dollar goes to motel fees?
This is the heartbreaking reality for so many families in Appleton. And the truth is, if we had more donor support, we could have helped them. Your donation could be the reason a family like theirs finds stability instead of slipping further into hardship. It could mean the difference between another night in a motel or having a place to call home.
May 14, 2025
Meet the Hawkins Family…
Recently, the Hawkins, a family of four, found themselves unable to pay their rent after an unexpected crisis. Mr. Hawkins, a hardworking provider, suffered a head injury in a workplace accident, delaying his return to work. With workers’ compensation caught in red tape, their financial stability crumbled.
Two SVdP Vincentians from our Sacred Heart (Manawa)/SS. Peter and Paul (Weyauwega) Conference visited the family’s home to assess their needs. The Hawkins had once been on the giving end, regularly donating to service organizations. Now, they faced the humbling reality of needing help themselves. It was not easy for them to ask, but the Vincentians assured them—there was no judgment, only compassion and support.
With prayerful hearts, the Vincentians provided the rent assistance they so desperately needed and connected them to further resources. When a Vincentian reached out to their landlord—who was away for the winter—to explain the situation, something remarkable happened, the landlord’s heart softened. Instead of judgment, they responded with understanding and grace.
This encounter was transformative not only for the family but for everyone involved. The landlord’s perspective shifted, the Hawkins family felt the dignity of compassionate support, and our Vincentians left deeply moved, reminded of the profound impact that kindness and human connection can have in times of hardship.
March 18, 2025
Meet the Larson Family…
A desperate plea for help recently reached a SVdP Vincentian from the Sacred Heart Conference, sparking an urgent response. A family of four—two parents and their young children, just 4 and 6 years old—was on the brink of being turned out into the cold by a shelter. Their situation was heartbreaking. The shelter could only keep them until 9am Sunday morning, leaving them to face bitterly cold nights with nowhere to go. That night, temperatures were expected to drop to just 10 degrees—conditions no one, let alone small children, should have to endure.
In that moment of urgency, the Vincentian turned to God, seeking His Divine guidance and asking for His wisdom. He shared the family’s plight with a parishioner at Sacred Heart, and their response was nothing short of inspiring. SVdP was able to cover a portion of the motel bill, so this parishioner offered to cover the remainder of the expense. With their generosity and your support, we secured a motel room for the family for an entire week, providing them with warmth, safety, and hope.
By the grace of God and the kindness of our community, the family was able to move into the shelter a week later. This story is a testament to the vital role your donations and support play. Every prayer, every dollar spent at and donated to SVdP, and every act of generosity fuels our ability to help those in need when it matters most.
January 31, 2025
Meet AnnA….
Anna, a hardworking mother of two, recently moved to a new home in Appleton, seeking a fresh start for her family. But as the colder months approached, she found herself struggling to make ends meet. After a costly car repair strained her finances, Anna reached out to St. Vincent de Paul, hoping for a little help to ensure her children had warm clothes and a place to rest their heads at night.
Two kind-hearted Vincentians from the St. Thomas More Conference visited Anna at her home, taking time to listen to her story and understand her challenges. They saw her resilience and determination, and they knew they could help lighten her load.
With compassion and care, they provided Anna with a voucher to the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store, where she could find a new dresser and clothing for her children. Knowing how crucial a good night's sleep is for little ones, they connected her with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit dedicated to building beds for children in need. Though beds are often scarce, this partnership ensured Anna's children would have a cozy and safe place to sleep.
At St. Vincent de Paul, the spirit of community runs deep. Whether working with Leaven, the Community Clothes Closet, or Sleep in Heavenly Peace, we’re committed to bringing hope to our neighbors in need.
Before the visit ended, the Vincentians brought in bags of groceries, along with essential paper and cleaning supplies—simple gifts that meant the world to Anna and her family. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Anna’s smile reflected the warmth and relief she felt, knowing her community cared for her during this difficult time.
When you donate to St. Vincent de Paul—whether it’s gently used items, a purchase from our Appleton stores, or a monetary gift—you’re doing more than just giving. You’re helping families like Anna’s find hope, comfort, and the chance for a brighter tomorrow. Together, we’re building a community where no one has to face their struggles alone.