Food Hampers
Food hampers are issued all year long (Holidays and weekends exluded), with the exception of a 6 day period which starts on Welfare Wednesday, and lasts until the next Tuesday.
Clients are entitled once every 30 days, with a few days of grace allowing for special circumstances. Single individuals will recieve 1 hamper, families will recieve 2 or more, depending on supply and number of dependents.
Our hampers conisist of non-perishables items (purchased with revenue collected through the Society thrift stores), combined with food stuffs donated locally. We encourage our clients to phone in and check eligibility and supply, as neither can be guaranteed despite our best efforts.
Clothing & Household Vouchers
Clients are entitled to 4 clothing and 4 household vouchers each year. The logic behind our system is to provided needed items each season, but individuals and families can choose to utilize their allotted vouchers with as little as 30 days between each issuing.
Vouchers are redeemable only at "Vinny's Outlet Store", located at 863 View street, downtown Victoria, but exceptions may be made according to address and reason. St. Vincent de Paul vouchers hold no value outside of our Society, and are non-transferable and final.
Clothing items consist of anything from socks and underwear, to jackets and shoes. Household vouchers come in the form of sets; basic items needed in any dwelling. No electronics are issued by the Society.
Referrals
Our Society can not, despite our sincere efforts, to be of assistance to everyone who needs it. In areas that are outside our financial or mandated reach, staff and volunteers are happy to open the door to a world of possibilities in the form of referals.
Office staff have the training to locate applicable resources, and volunteers can guide clients in the right direction. Being the only branch in Western Canada, the Social Concern Office does it's best to ensure a complete solution with an unbiased and proffesional approach.
Advocacy
Through the Social Concern Office, clients can gain access to dedicated and trained "Assistance Advocates"; members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society who have the knowledge and the commitment necessary to navigate BC's welfare system.
Clients are encouraged to book appointments through the Office, and get in touch with a better chance to be approved. Although advocacy is done on a volunteer basis, advocates can and do sometimes choose to help applicants outside of office hours, to resolve a number any number of issues.
For Women
The Social Concern Office dedicates all of every Tuesday to Women. Committed councillors, volunteers, psychologists, and social workers all lend a hand in creating a safe and positive environment.
Women are encouraged to attend every Tuesday. This no-strings-attached outreach group has been operating through the Office for over a year
Snacks are served every Tuesday, ranging from coffee and cookies, to fruits and special treats depending on supplies. Conversation is open and supportive, and the group thrives on the energy of it's all it's participants.
