INTERNATIONAL TWINNING (The Americas)
In keeping with the vision of Blessed Frederic Ozanam to create a network of charity, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul sponsors a program called “Twinning”. International Twinning is a process whereby Councils or Conferences of the Society assist Councils and Conferences, in other countries, that lack the resources to conduct their works of mercy.
The General Office of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris, France has taken a new approach to International Twinning. The Society has divided the World in four areas: Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania and the Americas. Within each area, a country has been identified as the lead country for that area; the selection was based on the size, resources and capabilities of that lead country to help and guide the other countries in their area of the World. We have been named the lead country for the Americas. Although we still can, and do, help other areas of the World, our principle thrust will be on helping our Latin American brothers and sisters.
We welcome this new responsibility and view it as a God given opportunity to help our Latin American brothers and sisters in their daily work of charity; and with their works of many different types, for as we know: “There is no work of charity foreign to the Society”.
Our National President, Mr. Joe Flannigan, following the President General’s direction, has established two new positions: USA Representatives to the Americas, one position is responsible for the Central American countries, and the second position takes care of the South American countries. Our Representatives have traveled and will travel to Latin America, to visit and see, first hand, their works, their conferences, their needs and determine the best way to help our Latin American brothers, sisters and friends. They will report the results and recommendations in this website (to find the reports click on the flag of a country) to help you decide what conference or special works you would like to help. We are hoping that in this manner, you will know specifically the help you are providing, that it is indeed needed help, and that as usual, will go directly to our National office that will forward it the to selected country.
We are indeed a great nation, a charitable nation that wants to help and lead. We are counting on your help, for we truly fully depend on your generosity. Look at the descriptions of help needed and be generous, for the need is great and immediate.
PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES FOR INTERNATIONAL TWINNING
Our procedures and guidelines have not changed; they are repeated here to insure that the process is done correctly:
1. Select the conference or special work that you want to help.
2. Fill the application available on-line: “Request to provide assistance in the International Twinning Program” - See the downloads below.
3. Send the contribution (minimum is $75.00 a quarter) to our National Office.The address is:
National Council, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Roger T. Playwin, National Executive Director
St. Louis, MO 63043-3706
Email: rplaywin@svdpusa.org
Phone: (314) 576-3993
Fax: (314) 576-6755
National will forward it to the selected country’s National Council.