The Society of St. Vincent de Paul opens new advocacy office in Washington D C to push for stronger action on homelessness and poverty relief

Big things are happening on Capitol Hill—especially for those who care deeply about serving the poor.

On Friday, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP) opened the doors to a brand-new advocacy office right in the heart of Washington, D.C. And it wasn’t just a quiet launch—this was a celebration filled with purpose, blessings, and a renewed commitment to helping those most in need.

A Warm Blessing from the Vatican’s Representative

The special ribbon-cutting ceremony was made even more meaningful with the presence of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States (basically the Vatican’s ambassador).

He not only attended the event but also offered a heartfelt blessing over the new office.

He prayed for the space to be a peaceful and inspiring place—a hub where compassion and purpose can grow.

“May this be a place where we grow in friendship with God and with one another,” he said, asking the Holy Spirit to ignite the talents of everyone involved.

The cardinal’s words really set the tone, calling the office a place for hope, healing, and grace—all rooted in the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul.

Taking Advocacy for the Poor to Capitol Hill

This new office isn’t just about having a physical location.

It’s a strategic move by SVdP to get closer to lawmakers and decision-makers.

Earlier this year, during the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, the organization shared its plans to open this space as a way to highlight critical issues like homelessness and poverty.

The office, located on Maryland Avenue, will act as a national platform to make sure the voices of the poor and marginalized are heard by those in power.

It’s about making real change—on policies that can prevent evictions, support housing access, and bring dignity to people struggling to get by.

Serving Millions, One Family at a Time

In 2024 alone, SVdP USA served more than 5 million people across the country.

That’s an incredible reach—supported by over $1.4 billion in distributed aid.

Of that, $60 million was specifically set aside for emergency help like rent payments to prevent evictions.

This new D.C. office is about scaling that impact even more.

By having a voice closer to the halls of power, SVdP can advocate for structural solutions, not just stopgaps.

Meet the New Director: Ingrid Delgado

Leading this fresh chapter is Ingrid Delgado, who has just stepped into the role of SVdP’s Director of Public Policy and Advocacy.

Delgado is no stranger to this kind of work. Before taking on this role, she spent four years as associate director of government relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Funny enough, she actually first heard about this office being opened while attending the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering back in January.

At the time, she was just excited about the announcement—she had no idea she’d soon be the one leading the charge.

Moving Forward with Faith and Purpose

With Ingrid at the helm and a location just steps away from the Capitol, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is entering an exciting new season.

The goal? To bring more attention—and real action—to the causes they’ve championed for years: poverty relief, housing stability, and justice for the underserved.

And as Cardinal Pierre said in his blessing, may this office truly become a place of mercy, friendship, and unwavering support for those who need it most.