How Vincentians walk with moms in need

Laura Keener

Editor

A call for assistance for utility bills that were in arrears found two Vincentians dispatched from a local parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference to the home a young woman. When they arrived they found that she was 11 weeks pregnant with her second child. Everything (water and electricity) were shut off. She said she had called everyone for assistance, and no one will help. She was very sick, throwing up a lot, and had recently been hospitalized for a blood disorder. Her father had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, so her parents are unable to help. She was receiving no child support. The Vincentians noted that, “She sounds completely hopeless and has scheduled to have an abortion in two days.”

This is but one client assisted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky during the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 16, 2025. During that time, local parish Society conferences have assisted 413 children age 1 year old or less and 899 children age 2 years or less.

These figures represent cases which were opened and are now closed with assistance from the Society. And these cases represent people — moms and dads with their children — in crisis. Sometimes the crisis is temporary — like a pregnant mom who has been ordered to bed rest months before her due date, but who otherwise has a job that pays the bills.

“The financial assistance we have been blessed to share is a real part of how we help,” said Casey Guilfoyle, Diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Council president.

But other times the crisis is just a recurring symptom of a deeper problem. For these clients, offering financial help opens the door for the Society to assist clients in achieving true stability and a lasting path forward. To do this, Vincentians meet one-on-one with clients to truly understand his or her situation and often involve collaborating with community partners and walking with the client for the longer period.

Accompaniment is the foundation of the Walking With Moms In Need programs begun in many parishes over the last several years. It is also a hallmark of the mission and ministry of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul parish conferences.

“I love the phrase ‘Walking With Moms In Need’ because it connotes that real care and compassion that I think we’re all called to,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “We feel like we always walk with, not just moms in need, but dads in need and neighbors in need generally.

“Our ‘walking’ — the effort our Vincentians make to guide clients in paths forward — is based on attending to individual situations and meeting their challenges with targeted referrals to other resources. It is also where we bring the hope of a better tomorrow,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “Our work on that front includes referrals to agencies like CareNet, the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, Brighton Center, etc., which helps our neighbors see the beauty in the generosity of an entire community that cares. We are just happy to be part of that compassionate response.”

Vincentians have helped contact utility companies to work out payment plans to get the lights on and the water flowing for their neighbors in need. They offer resources to help find affordable housing. Through their own Microloan program, clients can qualify for a low-interest loan to help pay off crippling high-interest loans or to get a much-needed car running again. Also, through the Microloan program, clients receive financial mentoring to help better budget their money. Tips include obtaining food, clothing, and diapers at local food pantries, diaper banks, and outreach ministries, reserving limited income for bills, and saving for the unexpected.

“We understand that clients have an immediate need. But what are your usual income streams and what are your usual expenses? Where are you behind? Let’s work on a plan to get you through, not just until you’re able to deliver the baby, but even afterwards,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle.

And while people like to hear statistics as a way of qualifying an organization’s mission and ministry, “What might be lost in that sharing of information is that it’s not really what we do financially that makes an impact with our neighbors, but what we do when we visit them,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “A person-to-person visit, in their home. We go in a spirit of friendship to understand what those underlying problems are. What’s bringing you to this point?”

It was through that “spirit of friendship” that enabled the client in the opening case to trust in the care and support available. To see a different way forward. She canceled her abortion and continued her pregnancy through the help of CareNet Pregnancy Center instead. St. Vincent de Paul continues to offer support, mentoring and guidance.

“We have a lot of people praying for her. She seemed overwhelmed that we would go to such lengths to help her. She hopes to someday pay it forward,” the Vincentians noted.