THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL OF PORTLAND, OREGON IS A NONPROFIT, CHARITABLE CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION OF LAY PERSONS FOUNDED IN 1869, WHICH PROVIDES VOLUNTEER SERVICES TO THE NEEDY AND SUFFERING. AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY, THE SOCIETY OVERSEES THE EFFORTS OF 47 LOCAL CONFERENCES AND MORE THAN 2,000 VOLUNTEERS, MANY OF WHOM LIVE WITHIN THE FIVE-COUNTY AREA THAT THE SOCIETY SERVES - MULTNOMAH, CLACKAMAS, WASHINGTON, CLATSOP, AND COLUMBIA.THE SOCIETY IS AFFILIATED WITH THE COUNCIL OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL GENERAL, SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, PARIS, FRANCE, AN INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION OF LAY PERSONS FOUNDED IN 1833. UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, THE SOCIETY SEEKS, IN A SPIRIT OF JUSTICE AND CHARITY AND BY A PERSON-TO-PERSON INVOLVEMENT OF ITS MEMBERS, TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ESCAPE A PERPETUAL CYCLE OF POVERTY THAT HAS BECOME ALMOST AN ACCEPTED WAY OF LIFE FOR MANY OF THOSE AFFLICTED.