In 1926, a group of Tacoma neighbors saw a need in their community. It was a time when few social services existed, and people in emotional and financial crises needed support. They took the initiative and began providing food and clothing to neighbors in need. One hundred years later, St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) has become one of the region’s most important safety nets for families and individuals facing crisis in Pierce County.
That small group of neighbors grew into an organization that has become one of the largest providers of food, housing, jobs, and emotional support in Pierce County. In 2025, they worked with over 43,000 people.
Over the last few years, the organization has expanded dramatically in response to the area’s needs. They now operate a Community Resource Center, Family Resource Center, street outreach, ESL (English as a second language) classes, and an employment program. The latest venture is Tacoma’s first family-friendly shelter.
An army of volunteers and paid staff members provides home visits and finances to cover rent and utilities for their constituents. Many of these resources are funded by the thrift store that is still filled with donations from the community.
“Today, we serve about 40,000 people each year, offer $1.2 million in direct financial assistance, house more than 500 people annually, and help 9 out of 10 people find emergency shelter. We see up to 3,000 unhoused people per month and have graduated over 400 participants from our Second Chance Employment program,” says Gale Hemmann, Development Director of SVdP.
SVdP works with local employment organizations to find work for their participants. The employment program helps people rebuild confidence, develop skills, and find stable work. Jobs range from warehouse and logistics, retail, and customer service to healthcare support, security, skilled trades, janitorial services and apprenticeships.
“Since 1926, our mission has remained the same: offering dignity, stability, and compassion,” says Hemmann.
“Other people don’t really see you and understand your needs like the excellently trained, compassionate staff here,” says Christy J., an SVdP Yelp reviewer.
Seventy-five years ago, SVdP opened its 56th Street thrift store. The building is splashed with a vivid, energetic mural highlighting cityscapes. The mural fittingly portrays people working together, walking over large, outstretched arms, a colorful Pacific Northwest forest and a depiction of Mount Rainier. It illustrates what happens within its doors, where people come in alone and then work together. They emerge on the other side healthy and full of community.
St. Vincent de Paul is much more than a thrift store. On the surface, it houses three acres of eclectic, ever-changing pieces with vintage prices. But the truly remarkable thing found here is the limitless, unwavering love and patience the team has for the thousands of people they help.
“They (…) helped {me} get housed patiently and respectfully with financial and emotional support. I thank them because I had quite an attitude at times when things didn’t go my way, but they just kept encouraging me to keep up the good work. (…) Thank you so much again,” says Melissa G, a SVdP Yelp reviewer.
What the staff describes as “gritty passion” pays off in unbelievable success rates. The organization gets 85-95% of the people they work with off the streets and into shelters and housing. Some staff members were once helped by the organization during times of need. They now give back to others whom they can understand and relate to.
Meaningful moments make the job at SVdP worthwhile. “Seeing families move into stable housing, watching someone reunite with relatives, or witnessing a person start a job they’re proud of brings a sense of hope that’s hard to describe,” says Hemmann.
She speaks fondly of some of her favorite stories on the job.
- Once helping a mother with young children avoid eviction.
- When a single father with two children moved to Tacoma for a job that fell through. They were forced to live in their car in the winter. A case manager helped him find shelter, childcare, and a school for the children to be safe and cared for while he found work. He later called to report that they were happy and thriving.
- The organization recently helped seven families at once move into low-income housing through a partnership with Tacoma Public Schools.
SVdP has touched hundreds of thousands of lives over the past 100 years. Please join St. Vincent de Paul in celebrating 100 more!
St. Vincent de Paul’s Centennial Birthday!
Friday, June 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
- Dinner will be held at the beautiful Silver Cloud Hotel at Point Ruston on Tacoma’s scenic waterfront.
- The event will take place in the gorgeous ballroom with stunning waterfront views.
- Special event speakers will honor the incredible significance the organization has had in their lives, and those of others.
- Local radio celebrity Gee Scott of the Gee & Ursula Show will host the proceedings.
- Guests will have the opportunity to bid on a curated auction with special experiences and community treasures.
- A Northwest inspired dinner will be presented by the Silver Cloud culinary team, featuring braised ribs, mushroom ragout (vegetarian), and cocktails.
- All proceeds benefit the children, adults, and families served by the organization.
Everyone is invited. Please come, spread the word, and refer those who may need supportive services to St. Vincent de Paul. Buy your tickets here before they sell out. “This anniversary is not just a celebration. It’s a moment to honor a legacy of service and rally support for the next 100 years,” Gale Hemmann.
