Community Action Days at Our Shelters

Thank you to all our incredible volunteers for helping make guests’ lives better.

Over the past few months, we have been inspired by the amazing support from our community. Nearly 100 Zillow employees refreshed the garden at the Division Circle Navigation Center (DCNC) and assembled hygiene kits for guests, while Salesforce volunteers helped organize clothing donations. Talented art students from USF brightened the DCNC outdoor space with a beautiful mural. We have also welcomed new volunteers leading support groups and computer classes for guests. Beyond our walls, community members have shown their dedication through off-site donation drives hosted by the Verdi Club, parish Conferences, and many others.

Winter Clothing Drive

Friday, December 5th, 2025 · 9am – 3pm | Administrative Office – 1175 Howard Street, SF

As we head into the colder months, shelter guests are in need of warm clothing. Please support SVDP-SF guests by donating new or gently used items at our clothing drive on December 5th. Most-needed items are:

  • Jackets
  • Pants
  • Long-sleeved shirts
  • Women’s leggings
  • Beanies
  • Gloves
  • Scarves
  • Men’s shoes (size 7–13)

All items must be washed and in good condition.

Questions? Please contact Sophie Spievak at volunteers@svdp-sf.org

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco offers hope and service on a direct person-to-person basis, working to break the cycles of homelessness and domestic violence.

Please See the Unseen

A Beautiful Evening of Compassion and Community

What an unforgettable evening! The 32nd Annual Brennan Award Dinner, A Night in Paris, brought together friends, supporters, and community leaders for a night filled with joy, elegance, and purpose. Set against the stunning backdrop of St. Mary’s Cathedral, the celebration honored the extraordinary contributions of Sheila Doyle Kiernan and The Alice Phelan Sullivan Corporation with the Brennan Award, as well as Capital Group with the Corporate Service Award.

The evening was more than a dinner – it was a testament to what we can accomplish together. Guests enjoyed meaningful connections, inspiring stories, and the powerful reminder that compassion transforms lives. Thanks to the generosity of those who joined us, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco will continue to provide shelter, meals, and pathways of hope for thousands of our most vulnerable neighbors.

This year’s Brennan Dinner shone with the warmth of community and the spirit of giving. We are deeply grateful to all who made it a night to remember and a beacon of hope for the year ahead.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Brennan

  • The Celebrate Foundation
  • Bob and Joan McGrath
  • Jim Vlantis & Sara Ennor

Ozanam

  • Anonymous

Rosalie

  • The Alice Phelan Sullivan Corporation
  • Judith Tornese & Jerry Winters
  • The Family of Jack Noonan
  • Yvonne & Angelo Sangiacomo Family Foundation

Riley

  • Erin Doyle Ebeling and Laura Jason & Bruce Henderson
  • Bill & Jean Terheyden
  • Gerry & Jim Sangiacomo
  • Hood & Strong LLP
  • Joanne Murphy
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Lenore Heffernan
  • PG&E
  • The O’Shea Foundation
  • The Venables Foundation
  • Duggan’s Serra Mortuary

Table Sponsors

  • Aleece Germano
  • Annette Lomont
  • Capital Group
  • Christine & Vincent O’Gara
  • Gallagher Risk Management Services & Joan Dove
  • Kathleen Fourre
  • Kevin & Ann Ryan
  • Knights of Columbus Home Association
  • Maryanne Murray
  • Patrice Kavanaugh & Peter Wise
  • Plant Construction
  • Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
  • Sunny Sharma – Irving Fisher Private Wealth Management
  • The Cody Family
  • The Schmalz Family
  • The University of San Francisco

Conferences

  • Epiphany
  • Most Holy Redeemer
  • St. Boniface
  • St. Brendan
  • St. Gabriel
  • St. John the Evangelist
  • St. Mary’s Cathedral
  • St. Monica & St. Thomas the Apostle
  • St. Terese of Avila
  • St. Vincent de Paul

Save the Date

Please join us for the 33rd Annual Brennan Award Dinner!

Thursday, September 17th, 2026
The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco

Mina’s Story: A Journey to Hope and Healing

What brought you to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco?

I was in a very dangerous situation. My ex-husband brought me from Pakistan to the United States and began abusing me when we arrived. I went to the San Francisco police and told them my story and they helped to place me at Brennan House for which I am so grateful.

How has SVDP-SF helped you during a difficult time?

When I arrived at Brennan House I didn’t have any money or family to support me. My case manager, Socorro, helped me to sign up for MediCal and CalWORKS. I was finally able to take my children to doctor appointments, and buy food and diapers. Socorro gave me referrals to legal services so I was able to file for divorce from my husband and get a 5-year restraining order against him. SVDP-SF even gave me transportation to and from my appointments, so that I could receive the services I needed to start a new life with my children.

Can you share a moment when you felt supported or hopeful because of the services here?

Before I arrived at Brennan House, I didn’t have a safe place to go with my kids. I was living in fear of my abuser. Now we have a home and I feel a sense of peace. The day that my kids started at their new school was the best feeling. For the first time, I had hope for a better life. Now they are in school and I can work; all because we have a stable place to live.

What message do you have for the people who support SVDP-SF?

Thank you for giving survivors like me a safe place to live with our children. We feel supported and loved at Riley Center. Our children have a chance to heal and play, which makes me so grateful.

Celebrating Salvador Barr’s Appointment to San Francisco’s Shelter Monitoring Committee (SMC)

We are proud to share that Chief Homeless Services Officer Salvador Barr has been appointed to Seat 6 of San Francisco’s Shelter Monitoring Committee (SMC). The SMC plays a vital role in ensuring that shelter services across San Francisco meet high standards of safety, dignity, and accountability. Through inspections, reviews, and recommendations, the Committee helps improve the quality of care and support provided to people experiencing homelessness.

This appointment is both an honor and a recognition of the dedication and expertise Sal and the team bring to serving neighbors in need.

Through this important role, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco will continue to help improve shelter experiences and uplift the voices of guests.

We celebrate this achievement and look forward to contributing meaningfully to the City’s efforts to continue safe, supportive shelter environments for all.

Legacy of Love & Generosity

We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

Next time you review your estate plans, please consider joining the Ozanam Legacy Society by leaving a lasting impact through a planned gift to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco.

Please contact us at development@svdp-sf.org or 415-757-6560 to learn more. Thank you for your generous support!

“Accomplishing through charity what justice alone cannot do.”
– Frédéric Ozanam

Donate Your Vehicle

The St. Vincent de Paul Society gives hope to people in need.

To learn more: 800-322-8284 | SVDPSF.CAREASY.ORG

Share: