All it took was just over 500 volunteers to shape the lives of more than 20,000 individuals in need here in Colorado last year.
Those served were both families and individuals from a variety of backgrounds seeking anything from food and clothing to help with rent.
“For a lot of them, that’s their life,” said Steve Loftis, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Denver Metro Council. “They go from one resource to another seeking help.”
Fortunately for those at risk of homelessness or going through a tough time financially in the Denver area and beyond, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is there to help.
The Society has been in Denver for over a century and is currently made up of 32 conferences, all affiliated with a parish, and spanning from Loveland to El Paso County. Volunteers known as Vincentians meet individuals face-to-face to help in any way they can.
“They do the home visits,” said Loftis. “They’ll interview a family or an individual and see what their needs are — if it’s rent, utilities, food and clothing, or wherever we might be able to help.”
Through donations, grants and partnerships with other organizations, the Society maintains various funds, which allow conferences to cater to the needs of those who approach them, often after learning about the Society through word of mouth or other organizations, such as Catholic Charities.
Although the biggest need Loftis sees is rent, the Society has several programs, including Fresh Start Loan, which helps individuals get out of the pay day loan system and improve their credit scores.
The Society also partners with arc Thrift Stores, which sells the Society gift cards at half price, and they in turn offer them to individuals in need.
For volunteer George Maes, serving the community in this way has been a pleasure.
“Meeting and helping those in need has truly been a blessing in my life,” he said. “It truly has changed my life. It has made me understand what it is to be humble and appreciate what God has given me, not to mention what it has done for my spiritual life.”
Maes has been with the Queen of Peace conference since 2006 as a volunteer and served for three years as president of the conference.
“Being a Vincentian, meeting people face-to-face [and] listening to their hardships in life most definitely allows you to see Christ in your neighbor who is in need,” he said.
During his time with the Society, Maes has seen everything “from a quiet thank you to tears and everything in between” from those he’s served. “No matter the type of response, they are all very appreciative and thankful for the help that was given to them.”
Loftis hopes the organization can continue having a profound impact on the Colorado community in years to come.
“Maybe instead of 20,000 people, next year we can help 40,000 people,” he said.
“As I look at our numbers last year for the housing fund, the money that I reimbursed our conferences with — the over $100,000 — allowed us to assist over 800 adults and over 600 children to avoid homelessness.
“That’s the type of thing we’re able to do with the funds that we receive.”
Highlights of services offered by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 2018
2,647 home visits conducted, helping 6,029 individuals
2,676 individuals provided with food
613 other in-kind services delivered totaling $14,728
5,648 other visits made, assisting 11,580 individuals
797 visits made to 2,478 individuals in eldercare facilities
59,398 miles driven to assist those in need
12 individuals aided with dental, legal or medical assistance
20,091 people were helped
41,771 hours of volunteer service were completed
6 new conferences were established
For more information, contact Steve Loftis at svdpden@outlook.com or visit the website at svdpden.org.
To mail a donation, send to:
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Denver Metro Council
558 Castle Pines Pkwy Unit B-4 #107
Castle Pines, CO 80108