INTERNATIONAL TWINNING

WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL TWINNING?

In keeping with the vision of Blessed Frederic Ozanam to create a network of charity around the world, the National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers a program to connect Conferences and Councils in the U.S. with Conferences and Councils in countries lacking the means to conduct their works of charity. 

This program, called Twinning, is committed to sharing financial resources, creating cross-cultural friendships and exchanging prayers.

WHY SHOULD MY CONFERENCE TWIN?

The Society is a Christian family whose members share their resources. Twinning cuts through language and cultural barriers and connects us in one Catholic and universal spirit of charity. Through Twinning, we can stand in solidarity with the world’s poor and assist our Vincentian brothers and sisters in caring for their neighbors.

Due to the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar, even small pledges can make a huge different in developing countries. Just $100 can provide hundreds of pounds of rice or thousands of vitamins for adults and children in extreme poverty. In the Americas alone, there are 30 million people living on less than $2 a day.

WHERE CAN MY CONFERENCE TWIN?

International Twinning is divided into three Regions: Asia, Africa and the Americas. The United States and Canada Twin with the Americas, which encompasses Central and South America and the Caribbean. Contact the twinning coordinator at the National Council to find out what Conferences are waiting for a Twinning partner.

“We weekly visit the sick and pay funeral expenses. Every month we donate two pints of blood to the Institute of Cancer for a child who needs it. We help some sick neighbors get medicine … without your help, none of this would be possible.”

- Madre de Salvador Conference, Dominican Republic

HOW CAN MY CONFERENCE TWIN? Talk to your Conference about International Twinning. Decide what country you would like to Twin with and how much you are able to share. The amount and frequency of your contribution are entirely up to you Download an application and submit it to the National Council's Twinning Coordinator. Upon approval, you will receive a welcome letter with more instructions and contact information for your new Twin. Send your contributions to the National Council (not directly to your Twin). The National Council wires all Twinning funds quarterly in order to ensure accountability and compliance with federal guidelines. Exchange direct correspondence with your Twin 1-4 times each year. Email is usually the best option, although some Twins keep in contact via text message. If necessary, use an internet translator to facilitate communication. Pray for your Twin and the communities they serve.

Twinning Downloads Twinning Application Twinning Brochure Communication Form (ENG) Communication Form (SPA) International Twinning Manual