Youth University Conference | SVdP Emerging Leaders

Welcome to College!! Continuing Vincentian Membership as a University Student

by | Oct 1, 2025 | College Conference, Young Adult Conference, Youth College Conference, Youth University Conference

by Genny

One big challenge that youth conferences within the Society of St. Vincent de Paul face is the constant cycle of students joining and graduating. In high school conferences, new members arrive as freshmen each year, while seniors who’ve been active for four years move on to the next stage of their lives. It’s a natural rhythm but can make it tough to maintain momentum and leadership. With a strong structure, clear communication, and solid record-keeping, these transitions can be managed. But for the students themselves, graduating brings a new question: how do I stay connected to SVdP once high school ends?

As efforts to establish more university-level conferences continue to grow, the goal is to eventually have an SVdP presence on every college campus. That would make it easier for young people to stay involved if they choose to transition to college life. But right now, that system is still taking shape leaving many of us, myself included, unsure of how to keep our connection to the Society alive.

Hi, I’m Genny, and I’m a sophomore in college. Back in high school, I was one of the founding members of the youth SVdP conference at my parish, and I have now been deeply involved with the Society for five years. But things got more complicated when I got to college. I now attend a small school with just 700 students, and only about 25 of us are practicing Catholics. On top of that, the campus already has several active volunteer organizations, and the nearest SVdP conference is over an hour and a half away. Not exactly ideal for one student without a car, right?

Your story might look a little different, but I’m guessing some of these challenges feel familiar.

So what can you do? How do you stay involved when your surroundings don’t make it easy?

The good news is that there are lots of ways to stay connected! It might take a little extra effort and creativity, but with some dedication, at least one of these options will work for you.

Join a Local Conference or Special Work

Is there a parish nearby with an active SVdP conference? Or perhaps a local SVdP special work, such as a thrift store or food pantry, where you could volunteer? These can be convenient and meaningful ways to stay involved. If you find one, reach out politely to learn about meeting times and service opportunities.

You may face some challenges. For example, adult conferences sometimes meet at times that don’t fit a college student’s schedule. Still, it never hurts to ask. Many groups are open to adapting when a new member shows genuine interest.

Part 1.6 of the Society’s Rule emphasizes adapting to a changing world. That means not only meeting the needs of those we serve in new ways, but also welcoming members where they are and helping them find a place in the Vincentian family.

YYAEL Vice President Zoie has been involved with SVdP nearly all her life and has been involved in many different ways. As she begins college, this is how she stays connected. Come back soon for another blog post about her experience!

Virtual Membership

Depending on how your home conference is run, you may be able to remain active from afar. Consider attending meetings virtually while at school, then helping with in-person service projects during breaks. According to the Rule, active Vincentians participate at least twice a month, so work with your group to find a balance that allows you to stay connected.

This is the option I chose! When most of my youth conference graduated high school, none of us went to colleges with local SVdP opportunities. So, we decided to transition to virtual meetings. During the school year we gather over Zoom to plan projects and grow spiritually together, and when we’re home on breaks, we serve locally in person. We also stay connected with other conferences in our diocese, so that we can virtually or financially aid them with projects as they come up. This has worked well for my conference and I’m so thankful we could connect this way.

Found a New Conference at your University

Another powerful way to stay involved- and to pave a path for fellow young Vincentians who will attend your college in years to come- is to establish a new SVdP conference on your campus. While it may feel intimidating at first, it’s absolutely doable.

All you need are a few friends who share your desire to grow in faith and serve others. Connecting with a nearby adult conference is also important; they can provide guidance, continuity, and support as your members graduate and leadership changes. This helps ensure that Vincentian charism continues to flourish on campus. If there is not a nearby conference though, you can still make it work as a stand alone university conference.

If this option excites you, resources are available to guide you. Visit our website at svdpemergingleaders.blog. For specific questions, you can email YYAEL@svdpusa.org.

YYAEL spiritual advisor Sarah is in the middle of this process right now at the University of Iowa. Stay tuned for a post about her efforts and experience!

College brings many changes, but it doesn’t have to mean stepping away from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Whether you join a local conference, stay connected virtually, or take the step of starting a new conference on your campus, there are meaningful ways to keep living out the Vincentian mission. Each path allows you to grow in faith, serve those in need, and remain part of a community rooted in charity and friendship.

Get Ready for Upcoming Zoom Gatherings!

by Zoie R | Jun 11, 2025 | Conference Coaches, Youth Conference, Youth University Conference

Put it on your calendars! Two dates for Zoom gatherings have been selected.

First, a few members from YYAEL will be hosting a Conference Coaches’ Call via Zoom for all adults who help or want to help with Youth and Young Adults on ~~Thursday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. CDT~~. (Recording available using the QR code above!) We will have time for discussion and questions. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Conference Caches and have some of your questions answered. We hope to see all of our Conference Coaches there and those interested in starting a Youth, Youth University or Young Adults Conference!

Second, a Youth and Young Adult Hangout will be on July 13 @ 7 pm CDT! All Youth and Young Adults are invited to join us in spirituality and friendship! Adults are welcome to join but this is a time for the Youth and Young Adults so please save your questions for Conference Coaches’ Calls. We are so excited to host the third YYA Hangout of 2025, so put it on your calendars and join us!

Emmanuel Bailly: Legacy of Mentorship and Mission

by Youth, Young Adults & Emerging Leaders (YYAEL) | Apr 5, 2025 | Conference Coaches, Youth Conference, Youth University Conference

The Advisor and Friend of Christian Youth

Emmanuel Bailly guided Frédéric Ozanam and his friends along their Vincentian pathway. As the leader of the University discussion group, the Conference of History—which later evolved into the Conference of Charity and ultimately the Society of St. Vincent de Paul—Bailly played a pivotal role in nurturing their mission.

Bailly owned a printing shop where students could gather to drink coffee, read the news, and engage in discussions and debates. His hospitality created a welcoming space for intellectual and spiritual growth. Though the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was started by college students, it was Bailly’s support, wisdom, and guidance—along with the influence of Blessed Sr. Rosalie Rendu—that allowed the organization to take root and flourish.

Young Vincentian conferences today benefit from similar mentorship roles. That’s where you come in.

“You have accustomed us to look upon you as the rallying point, the advisor, and the friend of young Christian youth. Your past favors have given us the right to count on future ones. Those you have done for me encourage me to hope for the same for my friends.”

– Frédéric Ozanam to Emmanuel Bailly, November 3, 1834

The Founding of the Society
The founders of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are often described as “six young college students and an older gentleman.” That gentleman was Emmanuel Bailly—though, at only thirty-nine years old, he wasn’t as old as they made him seem!

Bailly deserves recognition for his contributions to both the Society’s founding and the restoration of Catholicism in post-revolutionary France. While Frédéric Ozanam brought bold vision, enthusiasm, and an ability to unite like-minded peers, it was Bailly who provided the practical foundations: his experience, reputation, and financial resources.

Bailly’s newspaper office, Tribune Catholique, became a hub for students. This space fostered spirited discussions, guided by Bailly’s wisdom and participation. It was here that, in April 1833, Ozanam and his friends shared their plans for charitable work. The first meeting of the Society took place at Bailly’s office on April 23, 1833. Bailly not only presided as the group’s first president but also established the structure of the meetings, which included readings, reflections, and a closing hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bailly’s leadership extended beyond logistics. He connected the group with Sr. Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity working in the Mouffetard district, who taught the young members the practicalities of home visits to the poor. His steady guidance and experience prevented pitfalls the students might not have anticipated, providing them with the stability and legitimacy needed for the Society to grow.

Continuing Bailly’s Legacy
Emmanuel Bailly’s role as a mentor and supporter is a reminder of the collaborative spirit required to nurture new leaders. Today’s Vincentians can follow in his footsteps by creating spaces of fellowship, guiding young members, and connecting them to service opportunities.

Introducing youth and young adults to the Vincentian way offers them a sense of mission and equips them to address both physical and spiritual needs. It fosters growth in friendship, leadership, and compassion, forming leaders with hearts full of mercy for those they serve.

How will you follow Bailly’s legacy and mentor the next generation of Vincentians?