About St. Vincent de Paul Society,
Dayton District Council

“I would like to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam

The vision of St. Vincent de Paul Society in Dayton is to improve the lives of people in need in the Miami Valley.

Our mission is to, with Christian purpose, accompany those in need one person at a time by focusing on shelter, food, and clothing.

Our core values are unconditional service, hospitality, stewardship, and gratitude.

Inspired by Gospel values, St. Vincent de Paul Society has embraced the Dayton community in a network of charity for over 75 years. Through our Conferences and Special Works, we grow in spirituality through service and friendship while providing person-to-person emergency assistance and supportive services to our neighbors who are on the brink of becoming homeless or who are already homeless. We meet our neighbors with dignity and compassion wherever they are on their journeys.

Conferences (Neighborhood Ministries)

Our help begins with our Conferences and their volunteer members (Vincentians). Based out of 30 local parishes and schools, these neighborhood ministries provide person-to-person assistance with utilities, food, clothing, furniture, and many other services to help neighbors stay in their homes. Home visits are a trademark of these ministries, where Vincentians visit neighbors in their homes to offer accompaniment, guidance, friendship, and hope.

Special Works – Homeless and Housing Ministries

St. Vincent de Paul operates an emergency shelter for women and families who are experiencing homelessness, serving more than 200 guests each night. We also provide supportive services for veteran families, and operate supportive housing programs for men, women, and families who face significant barriers to stable housing. These ministries all focus on meeting our neighbors’ basic needs for shelter, food, and clothing while accompanying them with compassionate, Christ-like support.

Community

We operate a community thrift store – CityThrift – which accepts donations of household goods, clothing, and furniture. These donations are first used to help our neighbors in shelter and supportive housing, to provide them clothing and to help them furnish their new homes at little or no cost. Donations not needed for guests are sold in the thrift store, and all proceeds go directly back to our mission.

St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dayton District Council is faithfully guided by the oversight of Vincentians and community members who sit on two boards. Each board provides accountability, insight, guidance, decision-making, and prayers for our operations and ministries.

Our mission depends on our generous donors, supporters, and thousands of volunteers throughout the year. You can join us in our efforts through prayers, volunteering, donating in-kind goods or services, or supporting us financially through a gift today.

Thank you for your support and being part of our story of love for our brothers and sisters!

Community Board Members

As of February 2025

President: Robert Forschner, Retired Business Executive

Treasurer: Dennis Wolters, Retired Executive, Day International

Secretary: Patti Ryan

Bob Schwab, Leadership Coach

Louis R. Lunne, Retired Investment Advisor

Jeff Mullins, Partner-in-Charge, Taft Stettinius & Hollister

Ex-Officio Members:

John Malas, Dayton District Council President

Matt Graybill

Executive Director, St. Vincent de Paul Dayton District Council: Michael E. Vanderburgh

Dayton District Council Board

As of October 2024

President: John Malas

Vice President: Bonnie Vitangeli

Treasurer: Dennis Wolters

Secretary: Marsha Hess

Spiritual Advisor: Pat Gill

Larry Simpson, Ascension

Karen Ipsaro, Corpus Christi

William Burkhart, Emmanuel

Joan Andersen, Holy Angels, Dayton

Ken Knapke, Holy Angels, Sidney

Matt Graybill, Incarnation

Adam Horvath-Smith, Mary Help of Christians

Rose Schultz, Our Lady of Good Hope

Mieke Clark, Our Lady of Mercy

Carol Adamson, Our Lady, Mother of Refugees

Emilee George, Our Lady of the Rosary

Louann Geel, Queen of Martyrs

Martyn Burt, St. Albert the Great

Mary Cox, St. Anthony

Mary Chitwood, St. Brigid, Xenia

Cheryl Pothast, St. Denis/Holy Family/Immaculate Conception

Bob Wissel, St. Francis of Assisi

Fran O’Shaughnessy, St. Helen

Steve Brandell, St. Henry

Brenda Sagasser, St. Luke

Sabrina Furlow, St. Mary’s Food Pantry Conference

Bob Glavin, St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro

Sandy Gehret, St. Michael /Sts. Peter & Paul

John Tishaus, St. Patrick, Troy

Craig Moore, St. Peter

Br. Tim Cahill, St. Peter (Youth)

Bonnie Vitangeli, St. Rita/St. Paul/Precious Blood

Karen Emmerich, St. Teresa of Calcutta (Youth)

Rachel Bull, University of Dayton

Ray Slyh, Urban Outreach Center

Click here for Dayton District Council Bylaws

St. Vincent de Paul Social Services, Inc. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

St. Vincent de Paul Social Services, Inc. recognizes that people we serve, people who volunteer for us, people we employ, and people who come to us for help are diverse in their race, ethnicity, background, physical or mental disabilities, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs. We work to make sure that everyone is respected and valued as the unique person who they are.

We do not discriminate who we help and accompany in their journey to stable and permanent housing, or who we aid with utility bills, food, or other household and human needs.

While we strive to provide equal services to all, we understand, those services may not provide the equitable distribution or range of processes needed to provide those services for everyone. We commit to constantly evaluate our approach by asking for feedback from our partners and our constituents and will use that input to refine our presentation and delivery of benefits and services so that we most effectively serve each person.

We work to eliminate inequities in our policies, systems, and service delivery models. We examine any assumptions that we may contribute to inequities or otherwise inhibit the fair and effective delivery of services and treatment of to those whom we serve, our volunteers, and our staff.

We commit to accountability and transparency in our actions. We will respond to issues and incidents where we could have done better, and we will constantly seek diversity, inclusion, and equitable service.