St. Vincent de Paul was born in 1581, the third of six children of humble peasants. At the age of twenty-nine, when his life was pointing to a high and profitable career, he decided to devote his life to the service of the poor. His awareness of God was always present. He died September 27, 1660. Frederic Ozanam (1813 – 1853) was a man of compassion and charity. He founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, France in April, 1833.

History of St. Vincent de Paul of Coeur d’Alene

St. Vincent de Paul of Coeur d’Alene was established in 1946 through the St. Thomas Catholic Church, also of Coeur d’Alene. The Society, which is autonomous but known as the St. Thomas Conference, began recycling merchandise by giving donated items to those less fortunate. Later a store was acquired to sell donated items and use the proceeds to help people in need. In 1988, a small social service office was set up in the store where volunteers gave away vouchers for food, rent, store merchandise, medical help and other emergencies. Then, growing revenue from the thrift store allowed us to expand to help the homeless and a house behind the store was purchased in 1990 to serve as the social service office and a homeless shelter for men. Two years later a second house, down the street from the men’s shelter, was purchased to be a homeless shelter for women and children.

In 1994, our 16-unit Transitional Housing Center was opened to help homeless families make the transition to self-sufficiency with life skills classes in parenting, money, stress and time management, goal setting, nutrition, fire safety, and cooking. The success of this facility along with the increasing need in our community for this type of housing has allowed us to grow from these 16 units to our current 42 units we have today in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls.

Also since the mid 1990s, we have been offering affordable rental housing across three northern counties with a total of 68 low-income senior units and 70 low-income multi-family units. 

As the largest non-profit center for homeless assistance, social services, information, and referrals in North Idaho, we also offer various other programs that empower those with lower incomes. Our motto is “to help others help themselves,” and our mission is to provide supportive services, safe and sanitary emergency shelter, and to facilitate a Continuum of Care that helps end the cycle of homelessness in the Panhandle area. We hold a deep belief that each and every human being should be treated in a loving and respectful manner. 

St. Vincent de Paul Structure

St. Vincent de Paul of Coeur d’Alene is overseen by an Executive Director who is hired by the Conference Board of Directors. There is also an Executive Board as well as other boards in place to help oversee our organization and programs. Board members are comprised of individuals from all walks of life who volunteer their various skills and talents to the effective running of St. Vincent de Paul. 

Currently, St. Vincent de Paul employs over 60 full– and part-time employees.