History

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore is affiliated with the international Society of St. Vincent de Paul, one of the oldest charitable organizations in the world. The international Society was founded in 1833 in France by seven students, including the founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam.

Frederic Ozanam named his new group for Saint Vincent de Paul, a French priest from the late 16th and early 17th centuries who alerted the people of his day to many of society's ills and founded many of the very first charitable works, including orphanages and hospitals.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society emerged locally in Baltimore in 1865 as a source of material and spiritual aid for the poor. Early members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Baltimore were early pioneers in the development of local social programs to help the needy. The first parish group was established at the Basilica of the Assumption. Early members visited the poor in the area, bringing them food, clothing, and coal to heat their homes.

Today, St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore is one of the leading providers of services to people suffering from the effects of hunger, homelessness, and poverty in the Baltimore region. We operate 13 programs with services that include food, clothing, shelter, transitional and permanent housing, homeless day resources, employment training, adult education, emergency financial assistance, Head Start, and youth services.