Vincentian Family History

with
Systemic Change
Caroljean Willie, SC, Ph.D.
NGO at the United Nations
Sisters of Charity Federation
%he Beginnings.
n 2006 Fr. Greg Gay, Superior General of the Congregation
of the Mission, named a Commission for Promoting
Systemic Change.
Mandate: "To help bring about systemic change through the
apostolates of the members of the Vincentian Family,
especially those ministering to the oppressed poor."
Commission Members
(l-r) Patricia Nava, AC, Gene Smith, SSVP, Robert
Maloney, CM, Joe Foley, CM, Ellen Flynn, DC, Pedro
Opeka, CM, Norberto Carcellar, CM (not pictured)
n 2007 the Commission gave a presentation to the
Vincentian Family leaders gathered in Rome.
%he leaders chose "Systemic Change as their focus for
three to five years.
Since then, all the branches have been working on this
theme actively.
Seeds of Hope:
Stories of Systemic Change
Also available in Spanish, Portuguese, French and is being translated
into Korean, talian and Vietnamese.
Homeless Peoples' Federation
of the Philippines
Akamasoa
Continental Workshops
Goals of Workshops
%o educate people on the basic concepts of Systemic
Change, and/or to share information about what the
Vincentian Family is doing world-wide
%o provide a catalyst/opportunity for Vincentian Family
members to think creatively about what types of systemic
change projects could be started within their local
community/service area
%o think critically about an existing ministry in light of the
Systemic Change concepts and/or to work on effecting a
change within the existing service model of a particular
project
A %ool Kit
A 2 gigabyte memory stick containing all the materials from
the workshops so that those who receive it can modify the
materials to fit their own culture. Available in English,
French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Mexico
Brazil
Mizael Poggioli Donizetti
Has published multiple books in Portuguese on the theme of
systemic change as it pertains to the Vincentian Family.
Cameroon
African Family Leadership %eam
Rose de Lima Ramanakavana - Madagascar
UN Conference in Bonn, Germany 3-5 September 2011
The RoIe of CiviI Society
in a Fast Changing WorId
Collaboration in national vaccination and
prevention programs
A meal a day to more than 5000
children in the 14 AC centers
The TSIRY or SEED PROJECT
Alphabetization and training for illiterate adult and
non-schooled children in remote villages
THE GREEN DIOCESE
PROGRAM
ducation on environment protection and reforestation
in schools and communities. Active participation of civil
society and youth in reforestation
SustainabIe and reasonabIe management of the
environment through the permanent fight against forest
destruction by fire and overexploitation.
ncrease of productivity for small
farms through reforestation
Ethiopia
nvited to give a workshop in Ethiopia, not just for the
Vincentian Family, but for other priests and religious; date to
be determined.
%hailand
Philippine Follow-up
Systemic Change Workshop at Adamson University
Began an annual St. Vincent de Paul National Award for
systemic change projects
ndia
A workshop will be given in Northern ndia in January of
2012
Requests for workshops in other parts of the country
North America
%he first Vincentian Family Virtual Gathering was held April
24, 2010.
Presentation on Systemic Change in multiple locations via
the web.
United States
Systemic Change in works among those living
in poverty aims beyond providing food, clothing
and shelter to alleviate immediate needs and
enables people themselves to engage in the
identification of the root causes of their poverty
and to create strategies to change those
structures which keep them in poverty. This
also requires changing attitudes that have
caused the problem. (working definition for North America)
New Features Added to U.S. Workshops
A compilation by Mary Ann Dantuano of ministries already
employing systemic change principles from various
branches of the Vincentian Family.
Workshops at the Belleville gathering on a variety of
ministries already implementing systemic change principles
throughout the United States and Canada.
Women's Connection
Cincinnati, Ohio
A neighborhood center committed to strengthening families
Focuses on providing support for change by educating,
empowering, and enriching women, children and families
Connects women and families to community resources,
provides educational and personal growth programs specific
to the needs of the community, and
nitiates and promotes collaborative events and services
within the community
Programs/Events
%een Opportunity Fairs/Adult Employment Fairs
Dress for Success consultations
Resume writing
Employment connections
nformation and referral services
Sewing/quilting classes
AA support group
Domestic Violence survivors group
Hispanic outreach/ESOL classes
Parenting skills
%een Moms support group
Collaboration with over 50 agencies
V.-.- - ,-- -:/.-: /+: :/., -+- - ,--
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G.L.O.B.E.
Global Loan Opportunities for Budding Entrepreneurs
The Society gives immediate help but also seeks
mid-term and long-term solutions
Concerned not only with alleviating need but also
with identifying the unjust structures that cause it
Committed to identifying the root causes of poverty
and to contributing to their elimination
n all its charitable actions there should be a search
for justice
Microcredit Lending:
An alternative to payday loans for the working poor
Belleville, llinois
"Payday loans prey upon people who are at their lowest
point and feel trapped."
A loan program that charges 3% interest
Offers flexible repayment schedule
Provides finance education
Budgeting classes
Mentors for borrowers so they can learn new habits
Lets' Start - LCUSA
St. Louis
An organization dedicated to assisting women in
transition from prison life to society and
supporting their families
Offers a variety of services dependent on the
needs of participants
Committed to community education and
advocacy
North American Follow-up
Multiple workshops presented to staffs, boards and other
audiences on systemic change
n the United States: ndiana, %exas, Arkansas, California,
Pennsylvania, Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan,
South Carolina, Georgia, New York, and Ohio
n Canada: Vancouver, Vancouver sland, Ontario, New
Brunswick, Montreal, Antigonish, and Edmonton
Presentation to Ladies of Charity of the United States
Germantown Project
We gathered some key people in the Vincentian Family that
work in Germantown where the CM's motherhouse for the
eastern province is, the Miraculous Medal Shrine.
We gathered a core group; ensured Vincentian Family
representation from all branches in the area and determined
that we would do work within the parameters of the 3
Vincentian Parish boundaries.
%wo working groups: a group working on needs
assessments and a group working on database and
networking formation.
Website: www.germantown.vinfamily.org
UN Orientations
Systemic change presentations are given bi-annually to all
who attend the Vincentian Family UN Orientations in New
York.
The Vincentian Family at the United Nations
(Joe Foley, CM, Pat Connolly, DC, Caroljean Willie, SC,
Faith Colligan, DC and Germaine Price, DC)
Europe
%hree workshops will be given in different languages; the
first one is scheduled for October 2012 in taly.
Ten PrincipIes to FaciIitate
Systemic Change
'ision
Have a holistic vision that addresses both individual and
social needs, as well as spiritual and physical needs. Clearly
articulate your hopes and dreams. Ask the question: "Where
do we want to go?
Have a holistic vision that addresses both individual and
social needs, as well as spiritual and physical needs. Clearly
articulate your hopes and dreams. Ask the question: "Where
do we want to go?
Have a holistic vision that addresses both individual and
social needs, as well as spiritual and physical needs. Clearly
articulate your hopes and dreams. Ask the question: "Where
do we want to go?
Participation
nvite everyone to the table who has a stake in the outcome:
administrators, staff, those living in poverty themselves.
ather Data
nvite input from as many sources as possible to provide a
clear picture of the situation.
dentify Root Causes
Look for the underlying factors which are causing the
problem(s).
etwork
Explore other agencies and/or persons who might have resources
available; collaborate and engage in coalition building. Construct a
shared vision with diverse stakeholders: poor communities, interested
individuals, donors, churches, governments, NGOs, the private sector,
and the media
Capacity BuiIding
Provide training and resources to all participants to enhance
their ability to participate in their own development, both as
individuals and as members of the organization.
Design
Design a project or program which will meet the needs of
your situation and help to eliminate the root causes of
poverty.
mpIement
Put your project or program into action involving all
stakeholders.
vaIuate
Create an evaluation process which engages all
stakeholders; set up measurement criteria as an ongoing
evaluation strategy.
Foster Transparency
nvite participation in all aspects of proposed projects.
350
th
Anniversary Celebrations
HerILuge commILLee
CeIebruLIon commILLees
ProjecLs commILLee
%he pilot micro-credit project in Haiti
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www.zafen.org
%he Vincentian Family in Bonn, Germany
www.famvin.org
Articles and formation materials available on systemic change
%he future???