Santa Fe County St. Vincent de Paul assistance programs,
Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Santa Fe County is involved in offering a wide number of programs that can help struggling families access the support they need. The goal is to help people live comfortably and safety in their current home. Depending on factors such as resources available as well as the clients qualifications, there may be emergency funds for utility bills, bus passes, rent, heating costs or food. Other programs in Santa Fe may assist with rental costs or even home improvements to make their property more energy efficient.
In order to provide the most assistance to the greatest number of people, the assistance programs from Santa Fe County SVDP follow regulated guidelines. Case managers from the charity work together with other charity agencies and organizations as well to better coordinate services.
Outreach programs
Using a combination on government grants and donations and sale of goods at the thrift store, Society of Saint Vincent in Santa Fe County administers funds. The agency is also involved in running food pantries for addressing hunger, and basic needs in the region include summer cooling fans for the elderly and free coat drives for children. There are outreach offices across the service territory in which the non-profit offer assistance to low income house households.
These government grants and donations allow SVDP in Santa Fe to assist transients and local clients with prescriptions, lodging, meals, back rent, gasoline or bus passes for a job, and utilities. Other resources include LIHEAP that assist working poor households with the highest home energy needs, taking into account both the income as well as energy burden of the household. While any program run by the organization is limited, in general priority is given to families with children under the age of six, the working poor as well as elderly or disabled.
Staff located at the organization also case manage clients to transition them out of poverty. So there can be help for clients in gaining new work skills or finding employment in Santa Fe. Some of the other programs in Santa Fe County may be credit counseling or budgeting or information on credit card hardship programs. Among other things, all of these case management services can save people money over time and thereby allow them to use those much-needed funds for other important needs.
Santa Fe County St. Vincent de Paul emergency programs
Depending on how dire the situation that a family is in, as well as their income and other factors, there may be assistance for food or housing needs, such as rent or utilities. Any support from SVDP in Santa Fe is available on a limited basis, and an appointment with a Family Development Specialist is needed.
A local pantry will offer clients access to nutritional food or a free hot meal from a soup kitchen. The Santa Fe County St. Vincent de Paul area food bank may be accessed once a month for those needing emergency supplies. Any type of assistance will be combined with nutritional counseling, household budgeting classes, and free information on food purchases.
Donations are always needed by the SVDP Santa Fe County pantry. Stores such as Wal-Mart and Kroger as well as local restaurants often donate day-old bakery items to the food bank. Also, many volunteers hold food drives to further stock the pantry.
The Santa Fe County St. Vincent de Paul is one of the agencies responsible for countywide distribution by the USDA Temporary Food Assistance Program. Community volunteers as well as full time staff distribute food to those who come into the pantry. Find other free food pantries in Santa Fe.
When it comes to short term housing in Santa Fe, there may be emergency shelter or in some cases a small number of free motel vouchers or rent help. This type of assistance can be provided to people who are currently homeless. Vouchers from St. Vincent de Paul for a motel are available on a limited basis, and may only be for a night or so.
Emergency financial aid for expenses such as rent, electric, or water bills is issued on a fund availability basis. There will tend to be financial help only for persons with an eviction notice or those in need of a grant to keep their electricity or heat on. All other possible solutions must be utilities first, such as LIHEAP and payment plans, before Santa Fe County St. Vincent de Paul will even consider helping.
Some senior citizens or disabled people in Santa Fe County need additional support, such as home delivered meals or repairs to their home, is order to live safely and comfortably. So volunteers that are organized by SVDP in Santa Fe or their partners strive to provide assistance to elderly individuals who needs adaptions or basic repairs. Or very low income families can explore state of New Mexico Weatherization, which also makes a home more energy efficient.
Career help, such as free bus passes
While not an emergency program, Career Services is there to support the progress of individuals to economic self-sufficiency. As many individuals known it can be a struggle to gain a job when someone has only temporarily been out of the job market. It is even more challenging when a student or maybe senior is looking to join the workforce for the first time. So Santa Fe County St. Vincent de Paul partners with others to offer comprehensive services to support the journey.
This process will involve assessment and then an interview. Based on that, clients can sign up for soft skills training, career readiness workshops, employment and post-employment services. There is job programs for GED or entry level positions as well as support for immigrants as well as Spanish speakers. There are also free bus passes given out weekly. The various programs are dedicated to providing clients from Santa Fe with the right skills and confidence needed to begin a successful career.
Apply for help or thrift store
The St. Vincent de Paul in Santa Fe also has a low cost thrift store for shopping. Many of the assistance programs are paid for by that store. The main address is 1088 Early St., Santa Fe, NM 87501. Or dial (505) 989-8328
|
