See, Think, Do

SVDP’s “Mini Vinnies” Are Making An Impact

Though they may be young, members of St. Vincent de Paul’s first Mini Vinnie Conference are eager to make a difference in their community. Over a dozen students make up the “Mini Vinnies,” a Youth Conference for seventh and eighth graders, which launched at Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori in Madisonville in 2021. The students meet twice a month after school to learn about issues impacting people experiencing poverty, what SVDP does to address them, and to engage in service projects that connect to SVDP’s outreach programs in Cincinnati.

The Mini Vinnies follow a curriculum used internationally by SVDP, says Maggie Sheehan, SVDP’s Youth and Young Adult Program Manager. “SVDP England and SVDP Australia have robust Mini Vinnies programs, and their materials have inspired us and informed how we have crafted this Mini Vinnies group within our district council,” Sheehan explains.

Those materials include a focus on “See, Think, Do,” a model in which participants are introduced to social justice issues (See), engage with faith formation and reflection (Think), and participate in service to their community (Do).

This spring, the Mini Vinnies have been putting that model into action through the SVDP Thrift Stores. Students were invited to go behind the scenes to learn how the stores not only generate financial support for SVDP through sales, but also how neighbors are impacted directly through free clothing, furniture, and home goods provided through the SVDP Voucher Program.

“They were very engaged in their conversation with the staff at the Este Thrift Store,” Sheehan says. “They had a lot of questions for them, asking what vouchers are, how they are distributed, how the voucher is used, and how a neighbor might get connected with SVDP.”

The Mini Vinnies returned a few weeks later to volunteer at the store by sorting and stocking shelves with new merchandise, as pictured on the cover of this newsletter.

“It’s opened our eyes to new experiences,” says Mini Vinnie, Jack. “We are able to see firsthand our community in Cincinnati and that we can contribute to make it better.”

Mini Vinnie, Audrey, adds: “It is a good way to get to know the people around you and help out…This is a great way to give back and I like that everything gets reused.”

The students are rounding out their service project for the thrift stores through a clothing drive at their school.

“One of our goals of this programming is lifelong inspiration through the Vincentian charism,” Sheehan says. “I would love for every middle and high school student to have the opportunity to join a Youth Conference through their school or parish.”

Campus Ministers, teachers, or parents who are interested in starting a Youth Conference are encouraged to connect with Sheehan by emailing YYA@SVDPcincinnati.org.