Cultivating the Next Generation

Cultivating the Next Generation

Engaging Tomorrow's Change-Makers at the Ozanam Center

Community outreach is essential to ensuring the long-term vitality of St. Vincent de Paul’s mission. By engaging young people through immersive service and learning opportunities, we are shaping the next generation of volunteers, donors, and advocates for social change.

At the heart of this work is the Ozanam Center for Service Learning, which provides transformative experiences for students and groups by weaving together education, service, and reflection. The center partners with over 25 Catholic, secular, and private schools, as well as corporate and community groups, to inspire participants to explore the roots of poverty, justice, and systemic inequities—and to take meaningful action in response.

The programs offered by the Ozanam Center, including workshops, simulations, and retreats, go beyond volunteerism. They connect young people directly to the experiences of their neighbors in need. For example, the SNAP Food Challenge tasks participants with shopping for and preparing meals on a limited budget, mirroring the struggles of families relying on food assistance. During the Poverty Simulation, students assume the roles of neighbors navigating real-life challenges such as finding employment, accessing services, and caring for their families within limited resources. These exercises are paired with guided reflections that encourage participants to consider how they can drive change within their own communities.

Through these experiences, young people not only learn about the realities of poverty but also discover how they can be part of the solution. Many schools we work with have embraced service as part of their school culture, beginning youth conferences, volunteering regularly at the Neyer Outreach Center, and sponsoring initiatives like Roger Bacon High School’s Spirit Shop drive, Mt. Notre Dame High School’s annual toy drive, or Elder High School’s coat drive and distribution.

This commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders is further reflected in innovative partnerships, such as the Cincinnati Police Department Academy’s recent immersion day. By fostering awareness and empathy in recruits, the program aims to create stronger, more compassionate ties between officers and the communities they serve.

St. Vincent de Paul’s outreach to young people ensures that the mission of serving neighbors with dignity and justice will continue for generations to come. As these seeds take root, they offer hope of a future filled with compassion, equity, and lasting change.

Quick Fact:

• The Ozanam Center for Learning hosted approximately 1,500 youth in 2024.