The Society of St Vincent de Paul inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ work to promote justice and human dignity through person to person contact with those in need.
The Vinnies youth programme is currently run in 15 Catholic Secondary schools, 2 Parishes, 1 Tertiary institutions and 3 community groups throughout Auckland.
The Vinnies service work of the youth programme is based on the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy. These works have been incorporated into 4 themes. Each term the Secondary School Vinnies and young adult conferences choose one of the 4 themes to focus on.
Themes:
- Poverty- Resource Insecurity eg: Food and Opportunities
- Social Exclusion – eg: Elderly Isolation and At Risk Youth
- Prison Communities
- Homelessness
School Visits and Workshops:
The Vinnies youth team have integrated the See, Reflect , Act model into the Vinnies programme. They initially visit the school at the beginning of year to meet with staff and leaders to discuss how they would like to structure their annual Vinnies programme. Once this has been established fortnightly visits are booked for the Vinnies Youth team present workshops and facilitate discussions on the chosen theme for the term. The Vinnies youth team also assist in the shaping and delivery of the service projects. Additional Social Justice workshops and retreats are also delivered at the request of the school.
Service Projects & Community Immersion Programme:
The youth team have been trained to assist schools in shaping and carrying out service projects to the local community. There are 3 tiers of service projects
1. School Collective projects : Where the whole school community takes part Eg: Can Appeal or when Auckland wide projects are organised by the youth team for different school to attend.
2. Vinnies group onsite projects : These are coordinated onsite by the Vinnies school groups. The activities and projects undertaken are usually based around craft, fundraisers, or collections that will go towards their chosen community.
3. Community Immersion Projects: These are structured for the senior students to give them an experience of working alongside a supported community of people. There are oppurtunities to volunteers in Emergency housing centres, rest homes, hospitals and prisons etc
School Vinnies Retreats:
The youth team also deliver day or overnight service and leadership retreats. These retreats are based on the 4 themes however can be reshaped to include other strands of Social Justice.
Executives Meetings :
Monthly executive meetings for Vinnies leaders from the 13 Secondary Schools are also hosted by the Youth team at Liston Hall to provide support, leadership training and formation.
Vinnies School Leadership Training Camps:
The youth team coordinate an annual Vinnies Secondary Schools Exec training camp at the beginning of the school year and several young adult service learning camps during the year.
Young Adult Youth Leader Developmental Programme :
Vinnies also offer several training programmes throughout the year that cater for young people wanting to be part of the Vinnies Ignite Team ( University Vinnies who are trained to support the schools programme) or simply want to learn youth leadership skills eg: self awareness, facilitation, ice breakers, leading a group etc. These sessions will either be facilitated on a retreat or during a day workshop. This programme is delivered by experienced youth work practitioners.
Young Adult and Project based 18+ Groups:
Vinnies offers a young adult /Tertiary programme for thise still wanting to be oart of Vinnies beyond secondary school . Vinniers also understands that many young people just want a place to volunteer specifically around a particular project. This option is offered for young people who are 18+. Indcution and training is provided as part of this programme.
Overseas Youth Volunteer Programme:
In 2012-2016, Vinnies sent young tertiary graduates to Samoa and Tonga to assist a partner school and Youth Programme in providing and relieving specific skills and expertise requested. The programme is no longer in operation, but there is hope for this to be continued again in the future.
Vinnies Events and Youth Masses:
Commissioning Mass is held @ St Patricks Cathedral and celebrated by Bishop Patrick Dunn each year to commission the new Vinnies leaders. In addition to this there is also an Auckland Tertiary Mass and an Auckland Diocesan Youth hosted by the Society of St Vincent de Paul at the St Patrick’s Cathedral.
For more information about our Vinnies youth programme please click on the link below:
VINNIES NEWS 