Back to Contacts

Southeastern Region

 

 

 

VOP Southeastern Representatives:

Bart O'Leary, Orange Park, FL  e-mail

2010 Southeastern VOP News:

Atlanta's Society Page Runs VOP Story

October 2010 -Atlanta's SVDP newsletter features a story on advocacy titled, "Ways to Advocate for the People We Serve."

 

VOP and Conference Action

July 2010 -Atlanta's VOP have put together an overview of what Conferences can do to be a Voice of the Poor.  The document takes a look at the mission, criteria for the selection of issues, the role of the VOP Conference contact, and The Rule of the Society with examples of to-do activities for Conferences.  He also provides a link to the tool, Franciscan Approach to Civility in Discourse.

 

Know Your Credit Card Rights

February 2010 - Jack Murphy (Atlanta Voice of the Poor) shares the Credit Card Bill of Rights brochure that Atlanta VOP developed.  It explains credit card law changes and was mailed to all Vincentians in the Council.  This is Atlanta VOP's first communications with Conferences.  The group is off and running!  Representatives from Atlanta SVDP also attended the recent Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, DC and visited with their elected representatives. 

2009 Southeastern VOP News:

Needs Up and Donations Down

February 2009 - Bart O'Leary reported at the VOP meeting held during the Catholic Social Gathering in Washington, DC that Vincentians are visiting people in Florida that they do not normally see.  Hours have been cut back and there are decreasing donations.  Only three states in the Southeastern region have Catholic Conferences.  Voice of the Poor is being emphasized as part of Ozanam Schools.  Bart is a formator for these Vincentian training activities. 

 

2008 Southeastern VOP News:

The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor...

Southeastern Region Vice President, Vince Murphy writes,  "How many times at Mass do we sing this response? But is it true? If God hears their cry, why do we have so many individuals and families knocking at our doors? Surely He does not turn His face away. If He hears their cry, where is his answer?"  The article explains why Vincentians are called to be a Voice of the Poor.  Read the full article in both English and Spanish.

Note:  This article was originally printed in the Society's Archdiocesan Council of Miami publication, Vincentians, editor: Victor Martel.  

2007 Southeastern VOP News:

Speaking for Farmworker Housing

In a VOP report, Peggy Brodeur of the District Council Miami South Epiphany has endeavored to get the lease renewed for a farmworker by writing letters and making phone calls.  (February 2007)

 

2006 Southeast VOP News:

Southeast Regional Presentation on Migrant Farmworkers

At the Oct. 15 SVDP Southeast Regional meeting Vincentian Peggy Brodeur gave a presentation titled, “Migrants Today and Tomorrow.”  She provided an update on the difficulties of migrants and SVDP work in Homestead, Florida.

 

VOP District Council of South Miami on Farm Workers in South Dade Camp, Homestead, Florida

On August 7 a meeting was held with the Mayor, City Manager and Assistant City Manager of Homestead, Florida.    According to the report, “…it was brought to the attention of the Homestead City Administration that there are poor housing conditions and a lack of repairs for 300 housing units in the South Dade Farm Workers’ Camp. Pictures were shown in color where there was rat infestation, water damage and rotting of wood along with a myriad other problems including lack of paint on the outside housing units, allegedly since 1993 (some repairs having been made after Hurricane Andrew in August 1992)…. The City Manager said he was concerned with all violations of local building codes within the jurisdiction of the Homestead City Limits and he would send inspectors to look into the South Dade Camp concerning violations. He requested the assistance of members from St. Vincent de Paul to assist his inspectors in completing their inspections of the home sites.” G. Brian Brodeur, chair VOP, shared the meeting report.

 

VOP in Orlando

July 2006 -- Affordable Housing is Hot Topic

From Patricia Hall, Diocese of Orlando:  “I'm grateful for your e-mails and updates.  I pass them along to our VOP chairs at the conference level so they can download - print - discuss in conference meetings. I'll be attending a county commissioners meeting this week regarding affordable housing, our hottest local topic. We're finding in our case work that people opt to make the car/car insurance payments rather than the rent, because if they get evicted they can still live in their cars.”