The Blackrock College Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Founder of the Society of St.Vincent de Paul, Frederic Ozanam
The question which is agitating the world today is a social one. It is a struggle between those who have nothing and those who have too much. It is a violent clash of opulence and poverty which is shaking the ground under our feet. Our duty as Christians is to throw ourselves between these two camps in order to accomplish by love what justice alone cannot do".
Those words, spoken in 1834 by the Founder of the Society of St.Vincent de Paul, Frederic Ozanam, remain accurate in today's world.
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2014 Christmas Tree sale is now in full sing.
Visit http://www.blackrockcollegechristmastrees.com for more indformation.
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1. Blackrock College Conference of the St Vincent De Paul Activities
The Blackrock College Conference members provide assistance to the poor and disadvantaged members our community in a numbers of ways:
- It provides targeted education support (in consultation with the local educational professional and SVP Development Officer in West Tallaght) for third level students from the disadvantaged areas in this deprived location. This tried and tested strategy helps the students to overcome their deprived backgrounds and to demonstrate that they can succeed and become a source of inspiration to other budding students in the area, hoping to break out of the poverty trap. Currently, in excess of 15 students mainly from under privileged areas in West Tallaght have been supported in their third level studies
- Conference members support the VdeP visitation programme in Killinarden on three out of four weeks per month in response to requests for help from families, many of whom are in dire need of support. Up to 3,000 calls were made to families in Killinarden during 2013.
- More specialised professional assistance is provided by the Panel of Advisors which is facilitated by Blackrock College Union members.
- On an annual basis, 200 VdeP Christmas hampers are prepared by the college students under the Transition Dean's expert management and delivered to deprived families in the Cushlawn estate in WestTallaght by the parents and students and Union volunteers.
- Targeted Educational Support is also provided in such areas as Dyslexia Programme, Leaving Cert Study Group and Psychological Assessments
Visitations to those in need
Educational Initiatives
The above examples of tangible Christian support are made possible by management, staff and students who have continued to nominate VdeP as the recipient of the funds from their tireless fund raising activities in the first term of the academic year. The Conference activities depend on the support of the teaching staff and parents of the students for their continued generosity in funding VdeP initiatives (e.g. Soccer Marathon, Coffee Morning, Duck Race, sponsored fasts and events, etc) including the purchase of Christmas Trees, which is a major contribution to our Conference activities.
The crucial support provided by Blackrock College is a tribute to the compassionate ethos of the school, underpinned by a resolute and committed management team, teaching staff and students. Without their enthusiastic support, the Conference would not be in a position to endeavour to meet the needs of those less well off than us.
3. New Members Needed
The Conference is manned by past pupils of Blackrock College who meet on a monthly basis in the College. The Conference needs new members to sustain our VdeP efforts. If you are interested in joining us, please contact the current Conference President, Dave Fennessy at fennessydj@hotmail.com or mobile 087 2356463. Training will be provided to all new members.
Contact Person
Name: David Fennessy
Email: fennessydj@hotmail.com
Phone: 087 2356463
