Mission
St Vincent de Paul’s mission is to help those in need become self-sufficient through education, community connectedness, and unconditional support.
Organizational Overview
Since being established in Des Moines in 1924, St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) has focused on assisting those living in poverty by removing obstacles in their journey toward self-sufficiency. The Des Moines Council operates four thrift stores, two social services departments, an education center, and a child watch center. SVdP employs more than 80 paid staff members and relies on many amazing volunteers.
The approach of St. Vincent de Paul is multifaceted and deliberately diverse. Our goal is to address the underlying causes of poverty experienced by our community, while also focusing on alleviating the hardships of reaching self-sufficiency. To achieve this, our social services and education center work together to provide essential resources for those in need. These resources may include, but are not limited to:
Back2Work (Workforce Development)
The Back2Work program is a nationally replicated model emphasizing workplace training and development designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to secure employment. Participants receive training focused on enhancing essential soft skills for the workplace alongside crucial components of the employment process, such as resume writing, interview preparation, and financial understanding. The goal of this program is to aid in employability and secure a livable wage.
Immersion (Reentry)
The Immersion program is a nationally replicated reentry initiative that originated in Des Moines, Iowa. Utilizing collaborative partnerships with Bridges of Iowa, the Polk County Jail, and various state correctional facilities, this program offers educational courses in jails and prisons, focusing on essential topics such as healthy relationships in personal and professional settings, financial literacy, and mentorship. Additionally, Immersion provides access to various resources designed to help individuals meet their basic needs, facilitating a successful transition from incarceration back into society.
Social Services (two locations)
Individuals and families seeking assistance from SVDP may qualify for a variety of support options, including food pantry, clothing, furniture, hygiene products, infant necessities, and more. The food pantry is a vital resource for visitors, providing essential items such as fresh produce, eggs, dairy, meat, and shelf-stable selections. This support enables individuals and families to plan meals more effectively.
Appointments for the food pantry can be made in person or by phone. You can contact the Des Moines location at 1426 6th Avenue by calling 515-282-8327 ext. 140 or the location at 500 Army Post Rd. by calling 515-282-8328 ext. 230. Visitors are eligible for food pantry assistance through the SVDP locations once every 15 days.
Adult Basic Education
With access to a state of the art classroom that includes 14 computers and a high-tech Smart Board, the Education Center offers: high school equivalency diploma (HiSET) preparation classes, assistance with job and apartment searches, financial literacy classes and coaching, tutoring in reading and math, the National Career Readiness Certificate assessment (NCRC), open lab time each week, access to a mentor, and access our Child Watch Center while attending class.
Thrift Stores
Open to the public, individuals from all walks of life come into our store and purchase secondhand items at low cost such as furniture, clothing for men, women, and young adults, shoes, appliances, beds and much more.
We collaborate and partner with many like-minded community service organizations with visions similar to ours: End Poverty Through Systemic Change. It is also important to know that St. Vincent de Paul serves anyone who walks through its doors, without any requirements to be eligible for services.
