The Colorado Vincentian Volunteers (CVV) is an organization rooted in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, dedicated to engaging young adults in transformative experiences of service, spirituality, and community living. Founded in 1994 by Bill and Mary Frances Jaster, CVV was born out of a need to offer young adults concrete opportunities for service and reflection, while simultaneously addressing staffing challenges faced by local nonprofit agencies serving marginalized populations in Denver, Colorado.
The mission of CVV is to invite young adults into a process of transformation through companionship with those living in poverty and on the margins of society. The volunteers, who are typically recent college graduates aged 21-30, commit to a year of full-time service in Denver. This service year is designed not only to meet immediate needs but also to foster long-term personal and spiritual growth among the volunteers, enabling them to discern their Christian vocation in a supportive environment.
The Origins and Evolution of CVV
The inception of CVV was marked by a dual recognition: young adults were seeking meaningful ways to serve the poor while reflecting on their experiences through the lenses of faith and life choices, and local nonprofit agencies were struggling to find and retain affordable, qualified staff. The Jasters, leveraging their extensive experience as youth ministers, consulted with various Denver-area nonprofits and stakeholders to create a program that addressed these needs. The result was a structured, faith-centered initiative that has since expanded, growing from a single community of volunteers to two by 2010.
Since its founding, CVV has consistently recruited 12-20 volunteers each year, bringing them from across the United States to participate in the program. These young adults live together in community, sharing the responsibilities of daily life while working in full-time service roles at various nonprofit organizations throughout Denver. Their experiences are deeply intertwined with a year-long spiritual formation program, which includes daily prayer, retreats, mentoring, and regular theological reflection.
Spirituality and Mission
Central to the CVV experience is the Vincentian charism, which is characterized by a profound commitment to serving the poor and marginalized, inspired by the example of St. Vincent de Paul. St. Vincent’s life was dedicated to caring for those in need, and his legacy is carried forward by the volunteers who participate in CVV. The program invites volunteers to discover the presence of God in their daily lives and to deepen their spiritual journey through service.
Although CVV is rooted in the Catholic tradition, it welcomes participants from all faith backgrounds who are open to exploring their spirituality through Christian worship and prayer. This inclusive approach reflects the belief that diversity enriches the community and contributes to a fuller understanding of the kingdom of God.
The spiritual dimension of the CVV experience is further enhanced by the community living aspect of the program. Volunteers reside together in shared homes in Denver, where they practice a lifestyle centered on simplicity and community. This communal living arrangement fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support, as volunteers share in the responsibilities of maintaining their household and participate in collective activities such as cooking, cleaning, and reflection.
The Four Pillars of CVV
The CVV program is built on four foundational pillars: Direct Service and Advocacy, Reflection and Discussion, Community, and Spirituality and Prayer. These pillars guide the volunteers’ experience throughout their year of service, ensuring a holistic approach to their personal and spiritual development.
Direct Service and Advocacy: CVV volunteers are placed in a variety of work settings that align with their education and experience, allowing them to engage directly with individuals and communities in need. These settings include inner-city schools, food banks, health clinics, social service agencies, and programs serving the homeless, among others. Through their service, volunteers seek to cultivate an interior love for those who are poor and to discover God in the people they serve. In addition to their direct service roles, volunteers are encouraged to engage in advocacy efforts, working toward justice and systemic change.
Reflection and Discussion: Regular reflection and discussion are integral components of the CVV experience. These sessions, which take place weekly, provide volunteers with opportunities to process their service experiences, share insights with their peers, and deepen their understanding of their work’s spiritual significance. The program includes pre-service orientation, weekly reflections facilitated by the CVV team and local Vincentians, and retreats held in the Rocky Mountains. An immersion experience at the Texas-Mexico border further broadens volunteers’ perspectives by exploring the complex issues surrounding immigration.
Community: Living in community is a core aspect of the CVV program. Volunteers share a home with 8-10 others, creating a supportive environment where they can grow together both personally and spiritually. The emphasis on community life is reflected in the volunteers’ commitment to simplicity, mutual care, and shared responsibility. The broader Denver and Colorado communities also play a role in supporting the volunteers, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and collective mission.
Spirituality and Prayer: Spirituality is woven into every aspect of the CVV experience. Volunteers are encouraged to integrate their service with their spiritual journey, finding connections between their commitment to the poor and their relationship with God. The program offers various opportunities for spiritual growth, including daily prayer, retreats, and regular theological reflections. While the program is grounded in the Catholic faith, it is open to individuals from all religious backgrounds who are interested in deepening their spirituality through service.
The Impact of CVV
The Colorado Vincentian Volunteers has made a significant impact on both the volunteers who participate in the program and the communities they serve. For the volunteers, the year of service offers a transformative experience that shapes their personal and spiritual lives, often influencing their future career and life choices. Many alumni go on to pursue careers in social justice, education, healthcare, and other fields where they continue to serve marginalized populations.
For the Denver community, CVV provides essential support to local nonprofit organizations that rely on the volunteers’ contributions to fulfill their missions. The reduced-cost staffing offered by CVV helps these organizations sustain their work, ensuring that services are available to those who need them most. Over the years, CVV volunteers have worked with a wide range of populations, including the homeless, the elderly, refugees, and individuals with developmental disabilities, among others.
Where CVV Volunteers Serve
CVV volunteers are placed in a diverse array of nonprofit organizations and schools throughout Denver, where they serve various populations. These organizations address critical needs in the community, ranging from basic services like food and shelter to more specialized programs focused on education, healthcare, and job training.
- Social and Community Services: Volunteers work with organizations that provide case management, emergency assistance, after-school programs, job search support, and access to food and clothing banks. These services are vital for individuals and families struggling with poverty and other challenges.
- Sustainability and Urban Gardening: CVV volunteers engage in efforts to promote sustainability and urban gardening, addressing issues such as food deserts in metro areas. They participate in educational initiatives, food preparation and nutrition classes, and sustainable agriculture projects, helping urban residents connect with the earth’s resources.
- Health Care: Volunteers contribute to healthcare access by working in clinics and health agencies, providing education and direct care to underserved populations. This work is particularly important for individuals who lack adequate healthcare and face barriers to accessing necessary services.
- Emergency Assistance: CVV volunteers support emergency services ranging from overnight shelters to homes for survivors of domestic violence. These services provide critical support for individuals and families in crisis, offering them safety and stability during difficult times.
- Schools and Education: In educational settings, volunteers serve as mentors, classroom assistants, and partners in programs for behaviorally challenged children, students pursuing their GED, and individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Their work helps ensure that all students have access to the support they need to succeed.
- Job Training: Job training programs are essential for first-time job seekers, individuals who have been incarcerated, refugees, young adults, and single parents. CVV volunteers assist in these programs, helping participants develop the skills and confidence needed to secure employment and achieve economic independence.
- Youth Services and Runaways: Volunteers work with young people who are too young to be served by adult shelters, providing education, housing, and case management support. These programs help at-risk youth navigate difficult circumstances and build a foundation for a better future.
- Women’s Services: CVV volunteers contribute to women’s services, which may include overnight sheltering, housing assistance, resume writing, case management, and parenting classes. These services empower women to achieve greater stability and self-sufficiency.
- Recreation and Senior Services: Volunteers coordinate recreational activities for children and seniors, fostering social connections and enhancing the quality of life for these populations. They also help seniors access transportation, affordable housing, healthcare, and other essential services.
- Homeless Services: With a significant homeless population in Denver, CVV volunteers play a crucial role in providing services through day and overnight shelters. Their work helps meet the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness while also supporting long-term solutions.
- Housing and Construction Services: Volunteers assist residents in maintaining affordable housing, offering case management and activity coordination. These efforts help individuals and families achieve housing stability and improve their living conditions.
- Therapeutic Rehabilitation: CVV volunteers provide support, education, and resources for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Their work enables these individuals to realize their full potential and participate more fully in the community.
- Immigration and Refugees: Denver’s large refugee population benefits from the assistance provided by CVV volunteers, who work as case managers and job trainers. These services help refugees acclimate to their new environment, find employment, and secure housing and education for their families.
- Literacy Programs: Literacy training, including tutoring and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, is another area where CVV volunteers make a difference. Their efforts help individuals improve their language skills, which are critical for accessing education and employment opportunities.
The Broader Significance of CVV
The Colorado Vincentian Volunteers program exemplifies a unique model of service that integrates faith, community, and social justice. It provides young adults with an opportunity to grow both personally and spiritually while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. By fostering a deep commitment to serving the poor and marginalized, CVV helps volunteers develop a lifelong dedication to social justice and compassionate service.
Through its work, CVV not only addresses immediate needs in the Denver community but also contributes to systemic change by empowering individuals and communities. The program’s emphasis on reflection and discussion, combined with its strong spiritual foundation, ensures that volunteers leave the program with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to living out the values of the Vincentian tradition.
In summary, the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers is an organization that offers young adults a transformative experience of service and spirituality, grounded in the rich tradition of St. Vincent de Paul. By addressing the needs of the poor and marginalized in Denver, CVV volunteers embody the values of compassion, justice, and community, making a lasting impact on both the volunteers themselves and the communities they serve.
Contact:
- Address: 1732 Pearl St. Denver, CO 80203 (USA)
- Telephone: +1 303-863-8141
- Email: cvv@covivo.org
- Web: https://www.covivo.org/
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