Colorado Vincentian Volunteers

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Impact Statement

We have learned in a deeper way that CVV helps non-profit agencies who are struggling to meet the demands of the people they serve. One of the agency supervisors spoke to this while discussing the difficulty in raising enough funds to meet their needs. “What can we do to help CVV continue providing qualified staff for our organizations? Now more than ever, when it’s even more difficult to raise our budget, we need good, qualified people to help us serve. CVV is providing that for us.”
CVV has also learned that the training each volunteer receives serves both them and the agencies far beyond their year.

Needs Statement

The total cost for each volunteer is approximately $20,000. Approximately 48% of this cost is covered by a placement fee and monthly stipend from each contracted agency. The remaining balance (approximately $11,000 per volunteer) must be raised through gifts and grants. CVV needs financial contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.

Other needs:
Increased attendance at our major fundraiser, Heart & Soul Concert June 17, 2010 at University of Denver Newman Arts Center.
Consistent Monthly donors

Food
Bus Passes/tokens
Office supplies and equipment
Household items
Gift cards for gas

Background Statement

Colorado Vincentian Volunteers (CVV) is currently beginning its 15th year of fulfilling its mission to invite young adults (ages 22-30) into a process of companionship with the poor in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. CVV was envisioned and established in 1994 by Denver natives and longtime youth ministers, Bill and Mary Frances Jaster. In consultation with others from the community, they saw the need for structured opportunities that would enable young adults to concretely serve the poor and to reflect on those experiences in light of their faith and personal development. Directors of nonprofit agencies serving the most needy of the local community suggested a contract arrangement with CVV wherein the volunteers would be offered a fulltime place of service, training and supervision, and CVV would provide low-cost and qualified staffing for those nonprofit agencies.

Executive Director Statement

Dear Reader,
The Colorado Vincentian Volunteers (CVV) was formed 15 years ago to support the needs of community organizations in Denver that are responding to people living in poverty and in the margins of society. In these years 177 men and women (ages 22-30) have responded and served in 48 non-profits. Many have been hired beyond the volunteer year as full time staff.
In addition to placing volunteers within inner city service agencies, CVV provides the volunteers an intentional community living and formation experience: exploring and integrating community service, social justice, spirituality and personal development. This dimension of our program is intended to help form our volunteers into future leaders and advocates who understand first-hand the struggle of the poor. These men and women carry this experience into their life's vocation and are forever changed.
Join us as we companion those who are poor!
Bill and Mary Frances Jaster