Since 1953, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc. (SVdP) has grown from a small thrift store operation into the largest nonprofit human service agency in Lane County, with a robust inventory of social enterprises that generate about 50% of our revenue. Besides 12 retail stores, we have 3 mattress recycling facilities in CA and OR, a used car lot, appliance recycling and Styrofoam recycling operations, and a robust online book sales department. Along with grants and community donations, earned income from these endeavors help SVdP meet community need through social services programs that provide supportive resources for individuals, children, and families who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. SVdP seeks to be a leader in providing a social safety net through development of innovative solutions, services, and partnerships, as we aim to achieve social justice by incorporating entrepreneurial spirit and environmental stewardship. SVdP’s goal is not only to be self-sustaining by funding our own future through asset development and community involvement, but to share our knowledge and resources with other nonprofit community-based organizations as they seek financial and environmental stability in the implementation of their missions. We advise other nonprofits how to create sustainable waste-based enterprises via our mentorship organization, Cascade Alliance, which has helped develop recycling operations in states around the nation.
