Caseworker moves with the Spirit

   Maybe the Spirit led me. As I flipped through a newspaper flier featuring this new "shabby chic" look, I wondered why anyone would pay $3000 for a slip-covered couch that looked like a hand-me-down. Wanting to give my living room an "in" look, I headed up to Goodwill on Tuesday, Senior Discount Day, and claimed a couch and three chairs for $43. They didn't match, but so what? I'd just cover them with some mill-end fabric. But as I drove away, something told me to first try the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store up in Duluth. 
   
   I spotted the perfect pattern as soon as I walked in. On the rack hung five sets of floral drapes that matched the paint chip in my purse. A mere $15 provided more than enough for slipcovers and swags.

   But I learned that day that the St. Vincent de Paul Society is about more than just making bargains available for suburban housewives.

   I picked up a conversation with Hector Jara, a native of Columbia and a self-trained volunteer caseworker for the store.

   Jara makes home visits and counsels clients on ways to improve their lives.
"We never give cash to people, but we pay their bills directly if we feel they are in need. We provide food and we've helped towards burials. We also give people vouchers so they can come to St. Vincent de Paul for clothes," Jara said.
Jara also teaches ESOL and money management classes at Mission Hispanica in Duluth. 

   Though the century old St. Vincent de Paul Society is not as well known as Goodwill or Salvation Army, its impact on the community is significant. This year, the Atlanta Council received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award, honoring organizations that built a better future for all people. The Duluth store alone helped over 1300 families. The other Gwinnett stores are in Lilburn and Lawrenceville.

   Jara, a member of St. Monica's Catholic Church, has been involved with the society for 15 years, previously through St. Patrick's and St. Benedict's. He was a charter member of all three congregations. 

   "My faith tells me I want to do something good."

   In 1959, Jara's company sent him to New York for a year as a mechanic, but he's lived here ever since. 

   "Working with the equipment was easy. English was the hard part. It was very lonely having no one to talk to."

   Jara admits that sometimes his work can be discouraging. Some people do not try to improve their lives and some are not grateful.

   "We meet once a month at church to keep each other up. It's amazing how the grace of the Holy Spirit can encourage everybody."

   And you never know where the Spirit will lead you.

   "Some people who come in here really don't want anything. Not money. Not food. They're just lonely and want someone to talk to."
Info: www.svdpatl.org  

020205

Archive