2008 Vincent de Paul Award
Rich Swan, married and the father of two grown children, is a graduate of Regis University. His present career in sales helps him connect his appreciation for Colorado’s beauty with his love for people. Rich honors clients and friends alike with his enthusiasm for people and the depth of his care-filled listening.
His commitment to those who are poor has given birth to a partnership between Church of the Risen Christ (Denver), the Mission of New Ulm Minnesota diocese in Guatemala (San Lucas) and the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA). Ten years ago, Rich and his wife chose to sponsor a Guatemalan child through CFCA. In 2003, they traveled there to meet the child they were sponsoring. Over the next few years they returned again and again with their children and friends. Prompted by an invitation from his pastor, Rich developed a program for the youth in his parish, encouraging them to individually sponsor children through CFCA. This summer will be the third youth work trip to Guatemala enabling the young people to be of service and to meet personally the children they are sponsoring. Rich has discovered deep joy in being a bridge to connect youth and adults from Denver with families in Guatemala living in poverty. His enthusiasm overflows into all aspects of his life. Rich reports that it has “opened his eyes to be more compassionate with everyone.” He reflects now on the great “opportunity to reach out and listen to people that is present in every moment of every day.”
We recognize Rich today with the Vincent de Paul award. We thank him for the way he honors the dignity of others, for his commitment to relationship, for his work in developing partnerships and for his capacity to live out the abundance that results when people share their resources. We also thank him for reminding all of us of the best in ourselves---that as ordinary people we can and do make a difference!
Outstanding Volunteer
Denver, CO, 5/22/07 – Denver Realtor, Kathy Saidy, was recognized
with the Valdez Service Award on May 14, 2007 by the non-profit Center
for Spirituality at Work. The award acknowledges her exceptional service
to the Making Choices program, a mentoring program for women incarcerated
at Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. “Kathy brings a deep
level of commitment to her mentoring responsibilities. The challenge she
offers the women she has mentored has enabled their successful re-entry
and their decisions to remain crime-free,” says Executive Director
Dr. Vie Thorgren. Kathy advocates for the Making Choices program by building
bridges in the community. She informs others about the value of the program,
educates political leaders about the importance of mentoring, and encourages
others to become involved in order to reduce recidivism.
Kathy is a former president of the Denver Board of Realtors (2005). She has an M.A. in Public Administration and gave 12 years of civil service with the U.S. Air Force. She also spent 24 years as a lobbyist at the State Capitol representing health care, HMOs, school teachers, and homeowner associations statewide. Kathy has recently accepted a position on the Board of Directors of the Center for Spirituality at Work.
2007 Working Spirit Award
This award is given annually by the Center for Spirituality at Work to the individual or business that exemplifies the following:
- Respect for the dignity of all persons
- An attitude of humble service with those who are helpless/powerless
- Innovative approaches to making the world a better place
Strong relational approach - Commitment to the value of partnerships in fostering social justice
The above attitudes and behaviors reflect the core values of the Center for Spirituality at Work. They are Vincentian in character.
The 2007 Working Spirit Award was given to two Exempla St Joseph Hospital employees in January. Maryflorence Cox was recognized her reverence and compassion, her work to relieve suffering in it’s many forms, her initiative in caring for children of homeless families, and her dedication to helping people in need. Erin Mee was honored for her search to serve those in need, her outreach work in the community, her advocacy and creativity in enhancing patient care, and her commitment to addressing the needs of the world.
