This article was published in the winter 2025 issue of
The Vincentian, the quarterly newsletter of The Congregation of the Mission Western Province.
Colorado Vincentian Volunteers celebrates 30 years of formation in the Vincentian charism
Rolling through Denver’s urban streets in his Toyota Prius, Tony Haas rattles off the four pillars of Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, of which he serves as executive director and which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
“Direct service and advocacy, prayer and spirituality, community, and reflection and discussion,” he says. “The pillars were established at the founding of CVV by Bill and Mary Frances Jaster in 1995.”
The program matches its participants, recent college graduates, with specific volunteer assignments at Denver-area nonprofits that serve the poor and marginalized. During the program, the volunteers live in community and are formed in Vincentian spirituality through retreats, community prayer, Catholic liturgies, interfaith services, and spiritual direction.
“The mission is about transforming the hearts and minds of young people through direct service to those living in poverty,” Tony said. “That comes through living out the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, who said, ‘Go to the poor, and you will find God.’”
Tony said that frequently, volunteers wind up finding employment at their assignments after their year is over. For instance, Annunciation School, where one of the volunteers is stationed this year, has three former volunteers on its faculty.
“Definitely, they come thinking of their next steps, and they leave here with a heart for the poor and experience relating with people from all walks of life,” Tony said.
Fr. Tom Esselman, C.M., who serves as the provincial liaison for CVV, was with the Jasters at the beginning, helping flesh out the idea and connecting the program with the Western Province, which served as its primary sponsor initially. Today, he is involved in program planning and handles orientation in Vincentian spirituality. He follows up throughout the year and invites other Vincentians to come and work with the volunteers.
“There is nothing better than being around a bunch of young people who are idealistic and have life,” Fr. Tom said. “I think it is one of the ways we serve young people, and I want the program to prosper.”
Tony admits that this year’s cohort of three volunteers is well below the program’s capacity and at the bottom of a dip in participation. He is, however, confident the program will rebound and participation will stabilize around a dozen; the year before last, there were 15. He and Program Director Theresa Marten are already hard at work with recruiting trips to colleges around the country for next year’s group.
“You don’t need to be Catholic to participate,” he pointed out. “You merely need a heart to serve.”
For more information on Colorado Vincentian Volunteers or to find the online application, visit covivo.org.