Restoring Hope Community Breakfast 2024
On a cold November morning, joyful conversations and connection filled the Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore as the St. Vincent de Paul community came together for its Restoring Hope Community Breakfast — a cherished annual tradition and fundraiser headed into the holidays.
This year’s theme centered on the SVdP community as a light of hope, uniting people around love and compassion for those in need. Throughout the morning, speakers shared powerful stories, showing how even in the darkest moments, the community’s collective light can help create brighter futures for individuals and families in crisis.
Over 1,300 supporters were in attendance to celebrate all the ways in which SVdP serves as a light of hope to its guests, reminding everyone of the goodness of their community and how everyone can be called to be a light to others.
“We want to be a visible reminder of the goodness, compassion, love, and generosity of a community that is willing to work together to change lives, said Shannon Clancy, SVdP's Rob & Melani Endowed CEO. “All in the name of love, care and hope. This is how we let our light shine, as we invest our time, talent, treasure and hearts into the unlimited potential of one another.”
Shannon shared the important work and achievements of SVdP, including reaching the nonprofit’s Housing 2025 goal of re-housing 2,025 people experiencing homelessness six months ahead of schedule. She also highlighted the recent expansion of transitional housing at SVdP with the opening of De Paul Manor and Rosalie's Place, which brought an additional 171 beds to main campus. Altogether, nearly 500 people now call SVdP home across its four interim housing communities.
Afterward, the crowd watched a video story about Luis Vidal Rodarte, a father, husband, tile worker and basketball fan. Unable to afford insurance, Luis found himself at SVdP’s Virginia G. Piper Medical Clinic when he had a rare form of a very aggressive cancer. His life was saved by the clinic thanks to Dr. Anwar, SVdP’s Chief Medical Officer, and the more than 50 community of health care providers the clinic coordinated to treat Luis, including SVdP’s Delta Dental of Arizona Oral Health Center.
Breakfast attendees witnessed a powerful moment unfold as Dr. Anwar called each doctor who took part in Luis’s care to join him on stage. Together, they presented Luis with a basketball signed by all the doctors, a gift symbolizing hope for his continued recovery, as he finds strength to make up for lost time with his daughters and one day return to the basketball court.
Lastly, the crowd got to hear about the ray of hope SVdP was for DD Brown who found the support she needed at SVdP’s emergency shelter and transitional housing after a devastating car accident paralyzed her for a year, leading to a loss of income that eventually resulted in eviction. She and her dog, Cocoa, found shelter, resources, and space to heal at SVdP while securing a new income.
“My caseworker would come to talk with me, and always said the same thing with a big smile: ‘It's going to be okay. We'll get you taken care of. We're not going to put you back on the street,’” DD said.
Through SVdP’s transitional shelter and the support of its staff, DD received essentials, emotional support, and assistance in paying off her eviction and fees, allowing her to secure a rental. Today, DD and Cocoa are settled in a home in Surprise, Arizona, and she has regained her independence, working as a rideshare driver to supplement her social security.
As quickly as the morning started, it came to an end, leaving supporters inspired and called to be the light they hope to see in the world. SVdP sees that light every day when people come together in its mission, unified in the practice of kindness, compassion and a deep belief in the potential of all human beings—no matter the circumstances in the world.
