Help our go to Summer Camp!

Summer Camp

We’re gearing up for Summer! Our kids are getting excited for fun in the sun. From computer camp for learning-disabled children to special camps for our medically-fragile kids, there’s a lot to look forward to. But funds are low and without your support, some kids will be left behind. Time is running out to help send a child to camp this summer - please click here to donate right now.

Congratulations, Tasha

What’s New at SVS?

Congratulations, Tasha!

SVS congratulates Tasha P. on graduating this month from SUNY Albany with her B.A. inLatin American Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences! Tasha was chosen as Youth of The Year for her extraordinary academic accomplishments and her grace in handling adversity.

Here is Tasha’s Story…

Tasha P.

Tasha P. is an incredible example of what love and guidance can do for a child.

Tasha had a difficult childhood. Her mom long battled the demons of drug addiction. In fact, the only mother she ever knew was her Aunt Linda – until Tasha turned four years old. That’s when her mother completed recovery and wanted Tasha back.

Unfortunately, the recovery didn’t stick and Tasha, a pre-schooler, was often left alone for days at a time.

One day, fearing for her mother’s safety, Tasha called the police. Tasha was removed from her mother and placed in foster care. For the next few years, from the time she was six to eight, her life was a jumble of foster care homes. She was in and out of school, living a chaotic life, and feeling increasingly insecure about herself while falling behind her peers academically.

Finally, Tasha found stability when she moved in with her aunt and uncle who found help with St. Vincent’s Services. With her new home and SVS’ support, Tasha started to blossom. In her sophomore year of high school, she interned at Howard University’s summer science program. Soon after she became president of her class.

Through the support of SVS and the American Dream Program, Tasha was able to attend college at SUNY Albany and pursue a rich student life by living on campus. In addition, Tasha was mentored by one of St. Vincent’s directors, John McDonough, who helped her land an internship at a major New York law firm.

Tasha says the most inspiring point in her college career came when she took a life-changing school trip to impoverished areas of the Dominican Republic. The trip inspired her worldview and set her on a promising career path.

“Seeing the plight of impoverished children helped me become more grateful for the people in my own life,” said Tasha, “I realized not every child has access to the wonderful opportunities at St. Vincent’s.”

While visiting the Dominican Republic, Tasha became motivated to give back. She credits God for giving her strength to let go of her past, and focus on her future. Today she has repaired her relationship with her mother, who has overcome her own obstacles.

At the end of this academic term, Tasha’s dream will come true as she walks across the stage to collect her diploma in Latino Studies and Political Science. Next up, she’s going to graduate school where she will pursue a degree in social work and a doctorate in law at New York University. She hopes to work with children who are going through difficulties similar to what she has faced.

“I can envision myself, in the not-too-distant future, saying to a needy child, ‘Take my hand, and I’ll lead you to a better life, just like St. Vincent’s did for me,’ said Tasha.

Donate to SVS now

With your help we can help more youths like Alex!

I am happy to be with SVS because this family we accumulate, the bonds that we create, and the networks that we develop here are amazing. All of these different types of people we meet at SVS love us, and that is really important for me coming from a family who could not sufficiently support me and my endeavors.

                                                          -Alexander

visit www.svs.org to read more about our youth programs and initiatives

Teamwork makes the dream work

Greetings! 

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Here at St. Vincent’s Services, we think of it more like a team. You’re part of that team.

Watch your mailbox for a letter we just sent that tells the heartwarming success story of one of our kids named Johnny. You made his success possible. We are so grateful for all that you do!  

If you’ve recently contributed, thank you very much. If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, you should do it right now!  

Why now? Well, thanks for The Raskob Foundation, any gift you send will be doubled! Give $25 and SVS will receive $50, give $75 and SVS will receive $150. 

No matter what you give, your impact will be matched if you donate today! 

Thank you,

Dr. Henry J. Floyd

Vice President & Senior Managing Director

P.S. Your tax-deductible gift makes a huge difference in the lives of kids like Johnny. With budgets being slashed and programs being cut, these kids are relying on your support for the basics like food and education. Together, as a team, we can help fill the many needs of our children. Thank you for all that you do.   

Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) Bake sale!

SVS’ PYA program recently had a bake sale fundraiser event and was able to raise $525!

By selling various kinds of delicious treats from brownies, to cream cheese red velvet cakes to our very own SVS employees, we were able to raise money to help prepare our underprivileged youths for adulthood. It was amazing to see so many SVS employees came down to support the event.

You can help too! Visit svs.org to learn more about our many different programs!

SVS Success stories

“This agency under the guidance of Father, and with the help of Mr. Alan Schwartz, has provided for most of us in ways we cannot even explain. For example, I would have never had the opportunity to attend the school I wanted to attend. I am very grateful to this agency as well.”

Anthony

visit www.svs.org to read more stories like this

You can help someone like Carl

I am grateful for SVS. They have given me a running spirit, and a will to succeed. They have also been with me through the worst of times, and they have been with me through the best of times. I know that they will be with me through all my future endeavors and I hope that they can do the same for everyone else that is sitting in this room.

Carl - current SVS American Dream Program Scholar

visit www.svs.org for more stories like this one

Can you help our kids in NYC?

We believe that family is in the heart…

Here at St. Vincent’s Services, we think of ourselves as a family- and you are an important part of our family. We care for the kids together, but we couldn’t do it without you.

When a baby or toddler comes into our care, just like most new parents we are excited but also overwhelmed by the cost and responsibility.   

Two-year-old Melissa came to us last year after suffering neglect and abuse from her mentally ill mother. There was no father in the picture, and Melissa was often left alone, hungry and scared. She cried all the time when she first arrived at SVS, but soon after, this energetic and adorable baby began to trust us.

Despite the tough circumstances of her young life, little Melissa adapted quickly to her new surroundings at SVS. We welcomed her into our family like she was one of our own, and now, we are happy to report that Melissa is doing well. She is a normal little girl that loves to play with dolls and make up stories. She laughs all the time.

But with state funding cuts looming, kids like baby Melissa, who require food, clothes, diapers and more, are in dire need of help.

Please donate right now and we will be able to provide kids like Melissa with everything they would get from a stable family life.

All kids deserve a loving family and the support that families provide. We know you’re part of our family, too. Thank you for all that you do.

Sincerely,

Rev. Msgr. Robert M. Harris

P.S.- Your contribution helps our kids attend college. When Tasha was only four years old, her mother, who was battling a drug addiction, often left her alone for days at a time. After being shuffled around foster care, Tasha began receiving support from SVS. Now, Tasha will be graduating from college in a few months. Thanks to you, she was able to pay for college through our 100% donor-funded American Dream Program. DONATE TODAY!

SVS & I…

After completing a two-year degree at TCI in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration, I didn’t know if I wanted to continue studying or work in the fields. SVS motivated me to continue on with college, so I am continuing my studies at New York City Tech, where I am currently finishing up my last class and I will obtain my Bachelors degree in property management
-Devon

Meet Our SVS American Dream Program Scholar, Devon R.

When Devon first came to SVS’s group home at the age of sixteen, he was failing in school and acting out. Now he’s about to graduate from college, where he excelled in his studies.

Read more about Devon.