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How We Help
Our Programs and Services

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SVdP-Sonoma: A Lifeline For the Community

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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul District Council of Sonoma County (SVdP-Sonoma) is a trusted and reputable social services agency, across Sonoma County and beyond. We provide much-needed resources to our neighbors in Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties who are hungry, experiencing homelessness, and struggling.

 

SVdP-Sonoma provides compassionate, individualized assistance. We help our neighbors-in-need obtain nutritious food, clothing, and many of life’s necessities while moving toward systemic change and solutions that help lift them out of poverty.

 

SVdP-Sonoma is committed to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to our assistance, services, facilities, and employment opportunities. This commitment helps us to meet the agency mission — to end poverty through systemic change, one person, one family at a time.

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We strongly believe that when one individual is nourished, housed, healthy and strong, we are all healthier and stronger. And when one family is headed down the road to independence, all of us are better off.

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SVdP-Sonoma serves people experiencing homelessness, as well as individuals and families who are not homeless, but having trouble making ends. We serve our neighbors through the programs described below. Together, these programs and providers serve an average of 50,000 people living in poverty throughout our region every year.

 

The SVdP-Sonoma Community Kitchen Free Dining Room

  • Located at 610 Wilson Street in Santa Rosa

  • Open 365 days a year

  • Serves more than 75,000  hot, fresh, friendly, and free meals annually

  • Connects meal recipients with local services and volunteers

  • For more information: 707-584-1579

The SVdP-Sonoma Thrift Store

  • Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Located at 5671 Redwood Drive in Rohnert Park

  • Donate: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  • Donations are currently on a hour to hour basis. Please call ahead to see if the dock is open. For donation guidelines or more information please call: 707-584-1579

  • We have been open since 1984

  • All profits fund the Community Kitchen Free Dining Room

  • Exceptional bargains and affordable shopping options on gently used clothing, furniture, and household goods

  • A ‘secret source’ of one-of-a-kind collectibles, unique furniture and vintage clothing for 'in-the-know' locals

  • Provides home furnishings or clothing to anyone referred by a local service agency or SVdP Parish Conference

  • For more information: 707-584-1579

The Solak/Halbur Memorial Winter Shelter

  • Opened in response to the 2017 wildfires

  • Provided emergency shelter from the cold to prevent up to 100 people from dying each night

  • Accepted referrals from multiple other local agencies and law enforcement

  • Connected clients with volunteers and partners for access to needed services

  • Also took in homeless patients released from hospitals, avoiding average costs of $13,000 per hospital bed per night

  • For more information: 707-584-1579

Homeless Court

  • An alternative to the mainstream court system designed to help homeless people with hardships

  • A collaboration between SVdP-Sonoma, the Sonoma County Superior Court, the County Volunteer Center, and numerous homeless service agencies

  • Assists homeless people with outstanding infractions to avoid fines that trap them in the cycle of homelessness

  • Provides a way out for clients taking positive steps but unable to pay outstanding fines

  • Referring agencies must attest to each client’s positive steps

  • Eligible participants resolve infractions and fines by working community service hours

  • Clients report dramatic life changes, including securing housing and jobs and being better able to support their children

  • Available to serve up to 65 referred clients annually

  • For more information: 707-584-1579

Vehicle Registration Assistance

  • Provided in coordination with DMV and local vendor partners

  • SVdP-Sonoma assists homeless individuals and families living in cars to get them into compliance with repairs, registration and insurance

  • Vouchers and monetary assistance for registration and minor repairs helps clients avoid infractions, fines, and towing costs

  • For more information: 707-584-1579

Image by Jayson Ayala, The Press Democrat, July 16, 2017

Volunteer Program

  • Includes SVdP-Sonoma volunteers in the Community Kitchen Free Dining Room and Thrift Store, and Vincentian Volunteers

  • SVdP-Sonoma Community Kitchen Free Dining Room and Thrift Store volunteers help clients with food, clothing, and furniture needs

  • Vincentian Volunteers from local Parish Conferences  provide clothing, food pantries, rental assistance and other emergency assistance throughout the county

  • For more information: 707-584-1579

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