South Central Region
VOP Representatives:
Frank Primeaux, e-mail
Mary Simon,
2009 South Central Region VOP News:
Arkansas VOP Newsletter Launched
January 8, 2009 -- Sister Joan Pytlik has launched an Arkansas VOP newsletter for the District council of Arkansas. She says, "You may wonder why as Regional Spiritual Advisor I would do so. Those who know me, know that advocacy is in my blood, having served in the Diocesan Social Action Office for nine years. A better reason is that the Rule of the Society tells us that advocacy is an essential part of our vocation as Vincentians." She invites Vincentians to "work together to be a voice for the voice-less in Arkansas, and to make SVDP a force for justice in the state."
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Houston Confidentiality Policy Challenges
A letter was sent by Executive Director Wendy Garaghty to Archbishop DiNardo in February per the Houston Council Board President's approval to keep the Archbishop informed of challenges being faced by the local Society regarding Confidentiality Policies. "The situation continues to be a challenge for us in obtaining the resources for those we are serving through Katrina," she said in a recent email.
"We have had the opportunity to meet with the Senior Assistant Attorney with our Houston Mayor's Office to share the barriers we have come across and how this affects the Society and those we serve. He was very receptive and has vowed to do what he can to alleviate the problems," she notes adding that, "It has been tough being the odd man out but a necessity in bringing justice to those who continue to suffer from the hurricane devastation. Their privacy is all some of them have right now and protecting it is our priority....Please keep us in prayer as the heat is on."
2006 South Central Region VOP News:
Houston Vincentians Speak for Extension of CSFP Senior Food Program
June 2006 -- Continue as Active Voice for Displaced Hurricane Katrina and Rita Sufferers
“We are passionate about this and will continue to speak on behalf of those who have no one to speak for them,” said Wendy Garaghty, Executive Director, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Galveston-Houston, in a recent email. The following is from the email message.
SVdP Houston is working to fulfill our National and Regional Strategic Goals to implement and be active participants in Voice of the Poor. Here is what we are currently working on for the poor and marginalized in our area, particularly the elderly, with many in Houston only receiving $10 per month in food stamps.
A formal call was made to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison today by SVdP Houston on behalf of the extension and need for the CSFP Senior Food Program to continue past this December. (Thursday, June 22, the Senate’s bill on this program will go to the full appropriations committee, of which Senator Hutchison is a member.) SVdP Houston has asked Senator Hutchison to offer an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill to continue the supplemental caseload for CSFP in the Gulf States.
We have also tried to bring awareness to this great need and suffering by placing ads in Houston newspapers, and educating the public with this message on TV/news stations, radio, parish bulletins and major outreach to all other faith communities.
PS: We continue to be active voices for those who have been displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We attend regular meetings with City Government Officials, FEMA and State Officials speaking on behalf of those we serve. We currently hold seat on the Long Term Recovery Committees for the cities of Houston and Beaumont.