We Help People...Get Back on Track
There are a number of unforeseen events that can sometimes put a family in financial straits. For many families on Long Island, the loss of a job, a major health issue or a family crisis can all lead to significant financial trouble, beginning a downward spiral of events, putting them at poverty level.
To meet the needs of families during times of major financial crisis, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has designed the UPLIFT Program- which not only offers financial relief to families in need, but a chance for them to get out of a downward spiral and get their lives back on track. Through the UPLIFT Program, eligible families can receive up to two years of temporary financial assistance, usually averaging between $200-$300 a month, to help them meet their monthly financial obligations until they are again self supporting. By helping people in crisis reduce some of their overwhelming financial burdens, the UPLIFT Program therefore helps to reduce some of the stress that these families face during these tough times.
Families who are assisted by the UPLIFT Program do not receive the money directly; instead, the money is paid to vendors to help meet the family's particular needs. Our Vincentians also help these families receive furniture, food vouchers, free merchandise from our thrift stores and other resources that can truly make a difference during times of financial stress. Like the other programs offered by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, UPLIFT is supported through the generosity of our donors- whose contributions continue to make a tremendous difference in so many people's lives.
The UPLIFT Program is not just about giving out money to families in crisis. It's about helping families get back on track to becoming self-sufficient and empowering them with the skills they need for financial independence. Our volunteers and conference members work closely with each family in crisis, counseling them through this difficult time and assisting them in areas such as how to budget and other financial management skills. Most importantly, our Vincentians are there to help families in need by providing the comfort, kindness- and encouragement- that is so vital in helping families in crisis not only make it through tough times, but take control of their own future.
Started in 1991, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's UPLIFT Program has averaged annual financial grant of $3,233 per family. It's a program that works- as evidenced by the countless success stories of the families who were abl to not only make it through tough financial times, but who learned some valuable life skills as well. And it's a program that truly illustrates what the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is really about: helping people in need. Established in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, this program has been implemented by numerous St. Vincent de Paul Councils throughout the U.S.A.
