Bringing you closer to the real-life stories of the people your donations help across Ireland.
“
ank you for your wonderful support!”
– Rose McGowan SVP National President
As Rose prepares to step down a er five wonderful years as National President of e Socie of St Vincent de Paul, she realises that this exciting chapter in her life has brought her SVP journey full circle.
How
it all began
My favourite part of the job is going around the country and meeting all the members, and last week I was speaking with students in Waterford and Donegal.
That’s how I started, back in the day – still in school, and helping out with the old folks’ party in Dominican College, Eccles Street, where the Mater Hospital car park is now.
Afterwards, the nuns asked us would we like to join, and of course I put my hand up. So, each week we would visit some of the elderly people in the area. We did carol singing, bingo nights and all sorts.
“ It was so much fun.”
As we got older, we’d decorate old people’s homes, which my dad thought was hilarious – “None of ye even knows how to hold a paintbrush”, he’d say, and to this day, as I drive up the North Circular Road, I pass one of the houses by the Mater and think, I painted those railings years ago.
The poverty I see today is just as bad as it was then. The big difference is that today we have people coming to us who are working. People who are being hit with crazy rents, huge energy costs, and more. And they’re trying to educate their children at the same time.
Breaking the cycle
I believe education is the way out of poverty, and one of the most important things I helped do with SVP was set up an Education and Training Bursary, which has now spread nationwide. This year we have 1,000 young people on bursaries, and they’re all part of breaking the cycle of poverty.
“ Last year we had 250,000 calls – there’s still huge pover .”
With SVP you don’t go looking for a job, the
before being elected National President in 2020. But I’ve always done my house visits, every week, because it’s vital to hear what people are saying. And I love having the chat and a cup of tea with people.
Rose McGowan, SVP National President, promoting the SVP Annual Appeal 2024.
“ Our donors are incredible and many have stayed with us for a long time. e more donors we have, the more we can do.”
– Rose McGowan
Vision & values you share
All through my journey with SVP it’s been our vision and values which have kept driving me on. The most important thing is being with people and listening what they need. And that’s only possible because of incredible donors like you. You really do make this community what it is.
I’m so lucky, you’ve all been hugely supportive. ank you.”
I’ve loved my time as National President, and I will miss it. But change is good. It brings new ideas and new energy, and I’ll still be working away, doing my visits. I’ll still be here in the wonderful community I love.
Rose McGowan SVP National President
Did you know, if you have donated €250 or more in any calendar year, you could help SVP claim up to 44.9% extra from Revenue, at no extra cost to you?
form you may have already received. If you haven’t received one – or have any questions about your eligibility –simply call, or drop us an email, and we’ll be happy to help. Any amount we receive from Revenue will go to the same community you donated from – ensuring your support stays in your local area.
Thank you for being such an important part of our community.
Cynthia
Donor Development Manager, Call 01 8848200 or email fundraising@svp.ie
“ I’ve really promoted education in my time as National President, and members have responded amazingly, because they see it working.”
– Rose McGowan
Pauline Brown, SVP Regional Co-ordinator for the North Region, Rose McGowan, SVP National President (centre) and Mary Waide, SVP Regional President for the North Region, at Volunteers Day in Northern Ireland (right).
Castleisland Family Resource Centre
My name is Liz, and I was part of the SVP team that opened Castleisland Family Resource Centre in 2009. Run by SVP the Centre is all about empowering the communi .
Here in the centre, we’re funded by Tusla and I would work very closely with them, families and schools to respond to the needs of an individual child or young person. I also do a lot of one-to-one family support, but the space here has many uses. Kerry Adolescent provide play therapy for children while Employability Kerry, MABS, Kerry Peer Support and many others also utilise the centre with children, while Employability Kerry, Kerry Peer Support and many others utilise the centre.
We are fortunate to have a great conference here, and our members are always willing to get involved. They run an anxiety workshop for children, helping them with coping techniques, and they also run a children’s Book Club. Staff at the local library select a book and the children chat about it, here in the centre.
They draw, do quizzes and enjoy some treats and biscuits. The local library
great fun. It’s all about encouraging them to keep reading.
A particularly good memory of a successful outcome is that of a young person who struggled to go to school. With the correct support in place, that young person went back to school, achieved over 500 points
college place.
That’s the difference your support helps make in a young person’s life. Thank you!
Liz G wey
Liz Castleisland FRC Manager
“ Book Club is something light-hearted a er school, but the aim is that the children will continue to enjoy the library and reading.”
– Liz, Castleisland FRC Manager
Siobhán Brosnan, volunteer, President of St. Joseph’s conference, Castleisland Family Resource centre, pictured with centre manager Liz Galwey (centre) and Marina O’Connor, volunteer, vice President l (right).
You made a Communion dream come true
from SVP volunteer, Ben - South East Region
When Marie first came to SVP two years ago, she was putting €5 aside every week so she could give her daughter Eva a special Holy Communion par .
Two years later, with Eva’s Holy Communion just days away, Marie came to us in tears.
Yl d make E ’s union s ci .
The money she’d saved was just enough to have a few friends around for a party, and Marie had budgeted everything down to the last euro – even doing the catering herself. But as the day came closer, Eva got more and more quiet.
When Marie asked what was wrong, Eva became upset, because her
grandparents, uncles, and aunts – some of the people most important to her –wouldn’t be there on her big day. Marie was distraught.
But thanks to you, Eva had all the people she cared about at her Holy Communion party. It didn’t take much, just a small amount to cover the extra food. But sometimes it’s the small things that matter most.
Marie and Eva are so grateful. And so are we. Thank you for your incredible support.
Have you thought about becoming a Monthly Donor?
Turning your kindness into a regular monthly gift is the most effective way to make sure your amazing support never stops making a difference. And it’s so easy to do!
form or go online to svp.ie/donate.
Thank you for being such a vital part of our wonderful community.
e Power of YOUR support
Your kindness is helping students from low income households get a life-changing education.
The need is huge:
In 2024, SVP received more than 15,000 requests for direct support with education — including school, third-level, adult education, and training courses.
Your support helps fund:
• Course books
• Laptops
• Course software
• Help with course fees
Since 2024, thanks to you 1,241 students received education and bursary support, with an average of €1,930 provided per student.
• Costs SUSI grants don’t cover
Students from DEIS* schools, progressing to further education rose from 45% to 60% since 2012.
*Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School
ank you!
Would you like to volunteer with SVP?
We’d love to have more volunteers because the more you have, the more time you can spend with people, and the more help you can give. It could be the most rewarding thing you ever do.
Rose McGowan SVP National President
Visit svp.ie/volunteer for an amazing new challenge.
To make a vital donation just fill in the enclosed form. Or contact us on 0818 176 176 or by emailing fundraising@svp.ie. ank you! All stories based on real families helped by SVP. Images, names and some details have been changed for confidentiali .
Phone: 0818 176 176 Website: www.svp.ie
National O ce SVP House, 91-92 Sean MacDermott St., Dublin 1, D01 WV38
