Dear Vincentian Friends,

The breadth and pace of the decisions we need to make now as Vincentian leaders is becoming overwhelming. Our Vincentian spirituality and friendship is our most valuable asset in this moment. I will try to communicate regularly with you to offer support, share some insights and best practices.

Do not expect or wait, however, for the National Council to provide specific recommendations about what you need to do in your Conferences and Councils. Why is that? Things are changing so quickly that by the time you see a message and bring it to your membership for discussion, it may be irrelevant. Local circumstances also vary greatly. Our government and Church officials are increasingly providing guidance or even mandating practices that we need to follow. Across the country, the types of services we provide, the financial strength of our Councils and Conferences, and the profiles of our members and volunteers are very diverse, so it is you who are in the best position to know how to proceed in your community.

Click here for the full letter

HR 311: Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act

Before Christmas, Congress provided approximately $900 billion in additional help to people, communities, and organizations affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The President signed the bill into law shortly thereafter. Among other things, the new bill includes:

A second round of Economic Impact Payments (cash assistance);
An extension of unemployment benefits
Rent and utility assistance
An extension of the eviction moratorium
Additional nutrition assistance

The new law also extends the Paycheck Protection Program, a charitable giving incentive, unemployment reimbursement, and other assistance to nonprofit organizations. Download a complete summary of the bill with links to additional information here.

Previous Updates Here

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