Second chances

Can you believe St. Vincent de Paul started 100 years ago in downtown Des Moines?

Over our 100 years of dedicated service to our friends most in need, we have worked together to serve over 1 million people suffering from one form of poverty or another (spiritual, emotional, relational, financial, etc.). The rich history of this organization is what has inspired our growth and increasing impact over the last many years. Volunteers and supporters make it all possible.

In the last nine years, we have created two nationally replicated program models — Back2Work workforce training and Immersion Prisoner Reentry — that are in multiple locations nationwide. We have also grown from one site to four, with our fourth service center opened at 1914 Carpenter Ave. in Des Moines in October. This center is in partnership with Polk County to open an innovative sobering center that will provide jail diversion, connections to community resources and referrals to treatment for our friends suffering from substance use challenges.

We are also partnering with the University of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to help babies who are in foster care stay safe and get connected with healthy families, as well as working toward providing much more in-depth reentry services in the Polk County jail. It is our dedication to results, data and the engagement with all of our volunteers and supporters that make this possible. As a result, we have grown from serving about 7,500 people annually to now serving over 33,000.

St. Vincent de Paul has been a “first step to second chance” since 1924, providing second chances to those struggling through substance use disorders, returning from incarceration or breaking the chain of generational poverty through workforce training and adult basic education. Overcoming the stigma that individuals don’t deserve a second chance or don’t deserve a high quality of life is critically important. Any of us could make one bad decision or be in the wrong circumstance and be dealing with these same issues.

It is so important to lead with love, serve people with dignity and focus on the strengths given to everyone. It is through the actualization of these strengths that we can help individuals reach their full potential and break the chain of generational poverty, substance use challenges, cycles of incarceration and so much more.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

What’s one trend you’re seeing with volunteer engagement?

As an organization, we know people have more going on in their lives than ever. The reality is that we are all busy with work, kids, pets, projects, travel, constant email and digital information, so helping volunteers find real value in their efforts is absolutely critical. Whether it is working in a food pantry, teaching a class, serving as a mentor, or helping in the office, people have less time to give and want to experience the impact of their giving.

As nonprofit leaders, this is an opportunity to educate volunteers, and potential volunteers, on the critical services provided by your organization and why their time and support matters. Staying in touch with volunteers, sending a hand-written thank-you or just giving them a shoutout on social media are all intentional ways to keep volunteers connected to your cause. These efforts also build a healthy organizational culture, something key to long-term sustainability.