St. Vincent wrote to the Ladies of Charity, “The liberty and dignity of the person helped must be respected with the greatest sensitivity… the aid contributed should be organized in such a way that beneficiaries are gradually freed from their dependence on others and become self supporting….” (Meeting with the Ladies of Charity: Report of the state of their works. “ July 11, 1657). Some of the ways we can empower people we serve is by including them in conversations and relationship building with their legislators and in the planning of programs and projects. People are empowered helping them to develop skills and to take opportunities to speak for themselves and thus determine their future.