Only 1 week remains. Don't miss out. Register today!

ONLY 1 weeks remains until THE HIKE of the year!

Don't be left out. Join today! Adults, children and pets on leashes can participate in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 2nd Annual Hike for the Homeless at 8:30 am on Saturday, April 28 at beautiful Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

Sign up NOW to help the Society's new family housing program for women and children (to open later this year) and the Cardinal Manning Center (shelter). Hike individually or as a team. The group that has the most paid hikers will win $1,000. YOUR Hike can literally help change a life!

If you can't make it in person be a virtual hiker. For more information or reservations, visit http://www.hike4thehomeless.com.

Society's 2nd Annual Hike for the Homeless is April 28

ONLY 2 weeks remain until the HIKE of the year! Don't be left out. Join today!

Adults, children and pets on leashes can participate in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 2nd Annual Hike for the Homeless at 8:30 am on Saturday, April 28 at beautiful Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Sign up NOW to help the Society's new housing program for women and children (to open later this year) and the Cardinal Manning Center (shelter). Hike individually or as a team. The group that has the most paid hikers will win $1,000.

YOUR Hike can literally help change a life! If you can't make it in person be a virtual hiker. For more information or reservations, visit http://www.hike4thehomeless.com.

Feel free to view a short video from last year's hike that aired on KCAL 9 News.

Deciding on a summer camp for your child? Check out this slide video!

Do you have a child who wants to attend summer camp, but you haven't decided where to send him or her? Take a look at this slide video, as it may help your decision! Info: 323-224-6213 or 805-688-5252.



~ Video by Marshall Thomspon

Participate in or Sponsor the Society's 2nd Annual Hike for the Homeless!

A FUN hike for adults, children and pets on leashes at 8:30 am on Saturday, April 28 at beautiful Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Sign up NOW or be a SPONSOR to help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's new housing program for homeless women and children (to open later this year) and the Cardinal Manning Center. YOUR Hike can change a life! For more information or reservations, visit http://www.hike4thehomeless.com.

Feel free to view a short video from last year's hike that aired on KCAL 9 News.

SVdP celebrates Mardi Gras in style!

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Council of Los Angeles held its 2nd Annual Mardi Gras celebration on February 21, 2012 in downtown L.A. Proceeds raised benefit the Society's new Family Housing Program for homeless women and children. For more information about the Society and it's new housing program, call 213-229-9963 or visit www.svdpla.org.

Circle V Ranch booth is a hit at Kids Expo in Santa Barbara

Fun was had by hundreds of families at the Circle V Ranch Camp booth last Saturday at the Kids Expo in Santa Barbara (La Cumbre Plaza). Besides handing out flyers about the upcoming summer camp season, a popular activity was held at the booth - making pine cone bird feeders just like campers do at Circle V Ranch Camp. The activity was a huge hit for not only the children, but for the parents and grandparents.

For more information about attending Circle V Ranch Camp this summer, please call 323-224-6213 or 805-688-5252.

~ Photos by Laura Kath.

Summer is calling...

Summer is right around the corner! And that means summer camp at beautiful Circle V Ranch Camp - operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Council of Los Angeles - in the Los Padres National Forest above Santa Barbara.

For campers who have attended Circle V Ranch during the past couple years, expect to see a postcard in the mail soon about this year's camp season. For those interested in finding our more information about the Society's camp, please call 323-224-6213 or 805-688-5252.

Here are the camp sessions and themes for 2012:

* Session 1: June 27-July 2 = PIRATES ADVENTURE WEEK: The Pirates of Circle V need you, as you and your group build a real life ship to sail on the Circle V seas!

* Session 2: July 6-11 = MVP WEEK “SPORTS EXTRAVAGANZA”: Includes all your favorite sports activities. Everyone is a winner at Circle V!

* Session 3: July 11-16 = LOST IN SPACE WEEK: Travel to Planet Circle V as we discover other planets and faraway lands. It will be a “Star Wars Adventure”.

* Session 4: July 18-23 = INTERNATIONAL WEEK: With Flutes Across the World, it's a celebration of nations with all your favorite camp activities and good old- fashioned fun!

* Session 5: July 23-28 = KNIGHTS and PRINCESSES of the ROUND TABLE: Are you ready to be a Knight or Princess at King Arthur’s annual feast and Renaissance Faire?

* Session 6: July 31-August 5 = CARNIVAL WEEK: Old-fashioned fun with all your favorite carnival games!

* Session 7: August 5-10 = CIRCLE V IDOL “TALENT SHOW": Lights, camera, action! Who will be crowned the Circle V Idol of 2012?

* Session 8: August 11-16 = SUPER HERO WEEK: Bring your cape and superpowers as we protect the magical Kingdom of Circle V!

It’s Time to Register for Hike for the Homeless 2012!

A FUN hike for adults, children and pets on leashes at 8:30 am on Saturday, April 28 at beautiful Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Sign up NOW or be a SPONSOR to help the local homeless at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's CARDINAL MANNING CENTER (shelter) in Skid Row. YOUR Hike can change a life! For more information or reservations, visit http://www.hike4thehomeless.com.

Feel free to view a short video from last year's hike that aired on KCAL 9 News.

Where will your child be this summer?

* Click on flyer to enlarge

It's February. Do you know where your child will be this summer? How about beautiful CIRCLE V RANCH in the Los Padres National Forest above Santa Barbara? If your child is between the ages of 7-13, call for information and reservations. Camperships available for children who qualify. 323-224-6213 or 805-688-5252.

Lend Lease employees help brighten Cardinal Manning Center

Eight employees from Lend Lease in downtown Los Angeles recently spent four hours painting the women/children's section of the Society's Cardinal Manning Center in the toy district of Skid Row.

According to Mike Concannon, senior vice president of Lend Lease in L.A., St. Vincent de Paul's shelter was chosen because "it is within our local community, our office is walking distance from Cardinal Manning and we wanted to make sure our efforts were felt locally."

Concannon indicated the employees enjoyed volunteering their time and helping others in need.

"We (at Lend Lease) know we are all very fortunate. To take time to get involved and give back is extremely important and gratifying."

The employee's participation was part of the company's 16th Annual Community Day in which more than 15,000 employees globally spent time giving back to charities and organizations in their local communities.

When asked about next year's Community Day, Concannon said, "We fully expect to be working with Cardinal Manning again next year."

Thank you, Lend Lease, for your time, support and caring hearts!

Photos (l-r): Justin Mammen, deputy director of the Society's Cardinal Manning Center, talks about the work Lend Lease is providing in an interview with KABC TV News; Khemi Hapangama of Lend Lease volunteers her time to help spruce up the women/children's section at Cardinal Manning.

Only two weeks of summer camp remain. Apply NOW before it's too late!

Whether its making flutes for themselves and for children across the world, or having fun in various activities, boys and girls, ages 7-13, are learning that Circle V Ranch Camp is the hip place to be this summer! Only two weeks of camp remain this season. Will your child be next to attend? Camperships are available for young people who qualify. Call 323-224-6213.

Note - Click on photos to enlarge

If you haven't been, this is what you've missed so far at Circle V Ranch Camp

If you haven't been to St. Vincent de Paul's CIRCLE V RANCH CAMP this summer, you've missed a lot (click on photo flyer to enlarge)! Only three sessions remain. They include:

• August 1-6 / Theme: Circle V’s Got Talent
• August 6-11 / Theme: Disney
• August 12-17 / Theme: Safari Adventure

Activities include swimming, hiking, arts & crafts, sports, music, archery, photography, miniature golf, beach trips, lodging, three meals a day and more.

A typical week costs $350 per child. However, due to a generous donation, the cost is just $60 per child (who qualify for a campership). Information: 323-224-6213. Call before its too late!

Children can camp in beautiful Santa Barbara

ONLY three summer camp sessions remain at Circle V Ranch Camp this season in beautiful Santa Barbara. The sessions include: August 1-6, August 6-11 and August 12-17.

PARENTS - Don't miss out on having your child experience the beauty and FUN of the great outdoors in a supportive environment! Swimming, hiking, arts & crafts, music, archery, sports, a beach trip and more for children, ages 7-13! Call 323-224-6213 TODAY to make your reservation. Camperships available for children who qualify.

Fun at Circle V Ranch Camp continues

Only four weeks remain for this year's Circle V Ranch Camp in beautiful Santa Barbara! For information on how your child, age 7-13, can attend, please call 323-224-6213 TODAY. Camperships available for children who qualify.

Reserve your spot TODAY for Camp tomorrow

REMINDER: Thanks to a matching fund, Week 1 (June 22-27) of summer camp at Circle V Ranch is 1/2 price!!! What a bargain for 6 days and 5 nights of fun, swimming, arts & crafts and MUCH more. For ages 7-13. Call 323-224-6213 today, as camp begins tomorrow!

This Sunday, June 5: VII Romeria del Rocio USA 2011

Donations to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Circle V Ranch Camp in Santa Barbara

Circle V Ranch Camp season is almost here! Don't let your child be left out

For information about sending your child to St. Vincent de Paul's Circle V Ranch summer camp - which overlooks gorgeous Lake Cachuma - in beautiful Santa Barbara, call 323-224-6213.

Society's Circle V Ranch Camp holds successful Open House

Close to 200 individuals attended the Society's Open House at Circle V Ranch Camp in Santa Barbara on May 21.

Attendees toured the camp, participated in activities and enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch. The new miniature golf course was a big hit, as was the new-look grounds just below the dining area. Complete with new sod, individuals and families sat on the grass as they ate their meals, while others played ball on the main field.

Fina Morga, the camp's registrar, reported that close to 20 applications were received from parent's wishing to send their children to summer camp this year.

The 2011 summer camp season is just weeks away. There will be nine one-week sessions.

Session 1: June 22-27 / Theme: Wild, Wild West Week
Session 2: June 27-July 2 / Theme: Pirate Week
Session 3: July 5-10 / Theme: Holiday Week
Session 4: July 10-15 / Theme: Knights of the Round table (Medieval Times)
Session 5: July 18-23 / Theme: Carnival Week
Session 6: July 23-28 / Theme: Hawaiian Vacation Week
Session 7: Aug 1-6 / Theme: Circle V’s Got Talent Week
Session 8: Aug 6-11 / Theme: Disney Week
Session 9: Aug 12-17 / Theme: Safari Adventure Week

There is still time for parents and guardians to fill out applications to send children to camp this summer. Information: 323-224-6213.

Note: More photos from Open House can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Circle-V-Ranch-Camp/105307186181003#!/media/set/?set=a.200569106654810.55537.105307186181003

TODAY is the last day to register for Saturday's Open House at Circle V Ranch Camp

Today is the FINAL day to register for Saturday's Circle V Camp's open house in Santa Barbara. Click on flyer to enlarge.

Save the Date: VII Romeria del Rocio USA 2011

Donations to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Circle V Ranch Camp in Santa Barbara