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Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit, and Julia Hohner, Direc

Published on 6/13/2023

Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit, and Julia Hohner, Director of Camp Services, spoke to the Club on June 13th

Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit, and Julia Hohner, Director of Camp Services, spoke about their mission to drive systemic change in Metro Detroit, focusing on the St. Vincent de Paul camp program.

Mary Lynn gave us the history of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, from its founding in 1833 to help impoverished people living in the slums of Paris, through its first Conference in the United States, established in 1845 in St. Louis, to the 1884 founding of the Detroit council at SS. Peter and Paul Parish. Today, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit feeds families and provides beds, warm clothes, energy assistance, and other urgent needs through outreach programs, including itz Camp Program.

For the last 100 years, they have provided hundreds of qualifying children the opportunity to attend an overnight summer camp at no cost. The Society provides each camper bus transportation to Camp Ozanam on the shores of Lake Huron near Port Sanilac, as well as a free health screening, a camper duffel bag, and a water bottle. Numerous activities are offered to the campers, and no electronic devices are allowed during the week in camp. Camp supports children in developing a strong sense of self and building new skills. Last year, 91% of parents shared that their children's ability to work, play, lead, and follow cooperatively with peers increased as a result of their time at Camp Ozanam.

Club members desiring to support the camp program can go to donate.svdpdet.org/pages/camp-donation-page

For photos from the meeting, click the button. June 13, 2023 Members Meeting

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