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Who We Are
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Mission Statement
Vincentian Service Corps West offers lay women and men an opportunity to give one year of service, to live in community with other VSC members, and to experience a simple lifestyle. While working directly with those living in poverty, members are called, in the spirit of the Gospel and in the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to celebrate life, deepen faith, work for justice, and grow in charity.
History
In 1983 the Vincentian Service Corps was founded by the Vincentian priests to further the work of St. Vincent de Paul. Three volunteers formed the first VSC East community. They worked in the social ministries of Philadelphia’s Immaculate Conception Parish and lived simply in a small apartment across from the parish rectory. VSC East continued to have volunteers serving faithfully until its closing in July 2004.
At about the same time (1983), another group of the Vincentian family, the Daughters of Charity, were establishing a similar program out of St. Louis, Missouri. Two years later, they joined with the Daughters in Evansville, Indiana, to form what is now VSC Central. Today they continue to place volunteers in service in the Midwest.
The VSC West was formed in 1991 to serve northern and southern California. It began with seven volunteers who served in various agencies in and around Los Angeles. Today it is sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, Province of the West, and continues to grow along the western coastline.
The VSC programs work independently, but cooperatively, recruiting and placing volunteers in their own geographic areas.
MISEVI USA
MISEVI USA (MIssion and SErvice the VIncentian Way, a Vincentian Volunteer Network) is a collaborative effort of Vincentian groups committed to the values of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. The members of the Network are independent organizations that invite lay adults to work for justice while tending to the needs of those who are poor and to deepen their faith through prayer, community and reflection. MISEVI-USA includes: Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, Heartland Charity Volunteers, St. Vincent DePaul Youth and Young Adult Center, Vincentian Lay Missionaries, Vincentian Mission Corps, Vincentian Service Corps, and Vincentian Volunteers of Cincinnati. We are also collaborating with several Vincentian Universities as we find ways of supporting, challenging, and working together to better support the Vincentian charism of service with those who are poor and creating bridge-building connections among individuals and organizations. MISEVI – USA was formally accepted and recognized by MISEVI International in 2013.
Click on the logos of each to be directed to their websites for more information.