Increase for Rent and Utility Assistance
Due to the lingering financial impact of the Covid pandemic and the Almeda fire on Jackson County residents, St. Vincent de Paul will increase rent and utility payment assistance to those in need.
Even with federal assistance payments, many are still suffering substantial financial problems.
Although Governor Brown has placed a temporary moratorium on evictions, some renters may not be able to catch up with delinquent rents. When the hold is lifted, this will undoubtedly result in wide-spread evictions.
“We are reviewing and upgrading our guidelines monthly,” said Marilyn Gradwell, St. Vincent’s Social Services President. “We want to be as generous as possible to meet the needs of our community. Our goal is to help avoid future evictions and utility shutoffs and keep people in their homes.”
Previously, St. Vincent’s limited rent and utility assistance to once every 24 months. Under the new guidelines, they will attempt to help as often as needed, depending upon budget limitations.
During the pandemic, St. Vincent’s offices are not open to the public. All requests for help are presently handled by phone. For assistance, please call (541) 772-3828, ext. #1.
As more people receive vaccinations, St. Vincent’s is encouraging interested people to help out by volunteering. No experience is required. They will provide training for all positions.

Thrift Store Now Open Five Days a Week
Thrift Store is now closed Sunday and Monday; open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday.
Hours are 10 am through 4 pm.

COVID-19 Guidelines to Protect
 St. Vincent Volunteers & those we serve
Wear masks or face shields covering nose and mouth at all times while on the property & keep safe distances from each other.  
Wash hands frequently (washing stations in front of store, in office lobby and dining room).  
For everyone’s protection, do not come to St. Vincent’s when feeling ill.  
If feeling ill, take your temperature and contact your Primary Care Physician (PCP). There are non-contact forehead thermometers available in the office.  
Seek testing if recommended by your PCP. Both Providence and Asante hospitals provide COVID-19 tests with authorization by a PCP. Additionally, Rogue Valley has other clinics, including Valley Immediate Care & La Clinica, available for testing with appointments.
 
Include County Health personnel in discussions focused on responding to a positive test and closure of all or part of our Facility.  
August 2020 Council Board

Volunteer Today!  Print out our Volunteer Application and Bring it in Today!

St. Vincent de Paul - Rogue Valley District Council

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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in France in 1883 to help the poor and destitute of Paris. 

The Rogue Valley District Council was established in 1982 to serve the poor and needy in Jackson County. Our all-volunteer staff serve all who come regardless of race, creed, religion or ethnic origin. 

We are committed to ensuring that the poor and needy of Jackson County have a safety net of support and encouragement. No work of charity is foreign to St. Vincent de Paul.  

Over 270 part-time volunteers provide all staffing and services, providing almost 84,890 volunteer hours in 2018.

Support for Families and Individuals in Need in 2019

  • Homeless Family shelter - We provided 6,180 bed nights. Emphasis is on emergency needs of parents with children.
  • Hot lunches and groceries – 44 volunteers provided 59,000 hot lunches, served Monday through Friday. The pantry supplies bagged groceries on the third and fourth Fridays of each month. We distributed 6,885 sacks of groceries, a 4-day supply in each sack, and 5,500 "no-cook" bags to our homeless clients who lack cooking facilities. We are also members of the Medford Food Project.  Our goal is for no one to be without food in Jackson County.
  • Urban Rest Stop – Volunteers provided over 7,155 showers and 5,130 loads of laundry for the homeless.
  • Advocacy/social service support –14 trained counselors helped 12,000 individuals with job training, utility bills, rental assistance, shelter and other necessities.  Designed to give people a "hand-up, not just a hand-out".
  • Home visits – 1,462 individuals visited in Ashland, Talent, Central Point, Medford and other locations in Jackson County. 

St. Vincent de Paul, 2424 N. Pacific Highway (Hwy 99), Medford, Oregon 97501, 541-772-3828


Leading with Vincentian Spirit 
From the writings of St. Vincent de Paul

“The streets will be long and unfriendly. The stairs will be steep, and the poor often ungrateful. You will find that charity is a heavy burden to carry – heavier than the bowl of soup, heavier than the full basket, but you will keep your gentleness and your smile.

It is not enough to give bread and soup. This the rest can do. You are the servant of the poor. You are always smiling. You are always good humored. The poor are your masters. You will find them terribly exacting. So the more unjust and insulting they are, the more unattractive they are, the more dirty they are, the more love you must give them. It is for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the crust of bread you give them.”


The Mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Rogue Valley Council of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to providing compassionate support to the poor, regardless of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation or ethnic origin.  Each Council is locally organized, funded and staffed.  Our Council has no financial obligation to any church and no effort is made to preach, convert or proselytize. 
 
We have no paid employees and rely on 300+ volunteers to provide all of our services.  We own our own land and buildings, so pay no rent or mortgage.  Overhead costs such as insurance, utilities and repairs are paid for from Thrift Store revenues.  All donations we receive go directly to helping the needy.

 St. Vincent de Paul has been featured in two "Providence Minute" segments starring Fr. Jim Clifford and airing on NBC KOBI5.
Check them out:

SVDP Annual Report for 2019

annual_report_2019.pdf
File Size: 84 kb
File Type: pdf
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Society of St.Vincent de Paul

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We are dedicated to turning no individual in need away. In addition, we often receive referrals from other community agencies who are unable to help. 

Our facilities consist of four buildings on nearly four acres of land:
  • The Thrift Store sells donated
    items to the public and provides  free clothing, household necessities and furniture to those in need, using a voucher system. 
  • The main building contains our Emergency Family Shelter, Kitchen, Dining Room, Social Services, Food Pantry, and administrative offices. Attached to this building is the Urban Rest Stop which includes a waiting room, shower and laundry area.
  • Two warehouse buildings are used to store furniture, food pallets, school supplies, and seasonal items needed for the store.