First Place Kids Program

First Place Family Center, Volunteer, Youth & Family

Located within SVdP’s First Place Family Center, First Place Kids is a unique program that addresses the multifaceted needs of children and families who are experiencing homelessness in Lane County.  Homelessness impacts every member of the family, right down to a...

First Place: A Family Appreciation

First Place Family Center, Youth & Family

First Place Dispelled Family’s Shelter Concerns It’s called First Place for good reason. Tiffany and Monica would advise any family to visit First Place Family Center before spending so much as a night in a car or tent. Faced with an abrupt loss of housing, they...

At First Place, Respect for Families Endures

Emergency Assistance, Youth & Family

Weekend Receptionist Rita Tinney Is Still There for First Place Families “You’re not going to split us up, are you?” Rita Tinney heard the question countless times during the 12 years she worked the reception desk at St. Vincent de Paul’s First Place Family Center....

Youth House Grad Aiming for Goodness & Peace

Youth & Family

Having survived from the start, Amethyst is learning to enjoy life Hi, my name is Amethyst Swanson. I am 18 years old and a graduate of the St. Vincent de Paul Youth House. I lived in the house during my senior year of high school and moved out in September of 2019 to...

First Place Programs Stand Up to COVID-19

Youth & Family

As the COVID-19 emergency filtered into Lane County, the staff of St. Vincent de Paul’s First Place programs flew into action, relocating 19 families — 70 souls on average — to the First Place Annex. The Annex accommodates sheltering in place,...

First Place Annex Brings Hope into Focus

Shelter Assistance, Youth & Family

Aspiring Photographer Captures the Good in His Annex Experience Ernest is aptly named. Seemingly serious and matter-of-fact, he gets a little teary-eyed when asked about his future. The recent past was problematic enough for him, his mom, and two sisters, to the...