Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June Serving as advocate for those living in poverty and representing them and their interests with local elected officials and with state and national legislators

Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR "You must not be content with tiding the poor over the poverty crisis; you must study their condition and the injustices which brought about such poverty, with the aim of long term improvement” Blessed Frederic Ozanam GG –June 20142

During Home Visits Vincentians seek to understand: 1.Needs of the family 2.Causes of family’s poverty 3.Resources needed Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June 20143

Build a Plan with the family Tap into available resources But, resources do not exist…? ADVOCACY Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June 20144

ADVOCACY Bottom-up advocacy from Home Visits - With landlord or utility company - With elected representatives Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June 20145

ADVOCACY We represent people in poverty in the societal bargaining process: At the City, County level At the State level At the Federal level Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June 20146

SVdP’s VISION IS TO END POVERTY THROUGH SYSTEMIC CHANGE In Systemic Change, People in poverty themselves identify the root-causes of their poverty. Then, create strategies to change the structures and remove the obstacles, which keep them in poverty. Advocacy is one of those strategies. Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June 20147

ADVOCACY Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June Frank Monasterio, Vincentian from Mountain Home, ID testifying on Medicaid Expansion at the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee of the Idaho legislature- Feb Voice of the Poor trains people in poverty to advocate for themselves When this is not possible, we represent them by sharing the stories heard during home visits with elected officials VOP leads both people in poverty and Vincentians to bring to public life our Catholic principles, instead of partisanship

ADVOCACY Advocacy requires: Knowledge of regulations/legislation Compelling stories from Home Visits Mention of our extensive work Coordination with allies Follow-up to pressure elected representatives Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June 20149

ADVOCACY We do all we can for people in poverty; advocacy is asking the broader society to do their part Do not be shy! Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June

PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC LIFE "Politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good." -- Pope Francis "Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.“ -- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (USCCB) Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June

Voice of the Poor leads Vincentians to public life In every Council In every Conference Every Vincentian can be the Voice of the Poor Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June

In conclusion, You might hear people objecting: “The Church should care for the poor, not the Government” Faith based efforts provide only 1 out of 24 bags of food, the government provides the rest “People are poor because they are lazy” Many started off in a disadvantaged position, from which they cannot break- out. Others are kept in poverty by unfair structures. “Helping the poor is extreme politics” “When I feed the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.” -- Dom Helder Camara, Archbishop of Recife “I don't want to get political. Why is a non-profit engaged in politics?” Voice of the Poor engages in politics but never in partisanship. Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June

CHARITY AND JUSTICE Charity eases the SYMPTOMS of a larger issue Justice looks at WHY those symptoms exist and solves the systemic problems causing them Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR GG –June

Society of St. Vincent de Paul VOICE OF THE POOR For information on Voice of the Poor, see the Western Region VOP website: To sign-up for CapWiz: To receive newsletters and other information: For information on Catholic participation in public life, see USCCB website: and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences- for-faithful-citizenship-document.cfmhttp:// and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences- for-faithful-citizenship-document.cfm GG –June