Longtime Volunteer Starting a New Chapter

Longtime Volunteer Starting a New Chapter

Thiên Vu, who has volunteered at Catholic Charities for more than four years, is set to start a new chapter in life as a doctor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Vu said that at the time he started at the agency he was trying to gain more clinical exposure in psychology while also looking for ways to be more involved in the community.

He said he chose Catholic Charities because of its mission. “I chose Catholic Charities because of their Catholic background and mission to serve those in poverty.”

George Sevick, director of Cana Counseling said Vu came to see what it would be like to work in the mental health field. “Thiên brought his passion for helping people to Cana as a volunteer, and he is taking this experience to pursue a career as a psychiatric doctor so he can help even more people”.

Vu said there are many memorable moments in his time with Cana Counseling, including being able to sit in on a play therapy session, celebrating with cupcakes on one of his birthdays and decorating the Christmas tree for the lobby of St. Joseph Pastoral Center.

He will begin at KU this month and hopes to be able to serve an organization like Catholic Charities once he completes his residency.

“I want to help underserved populations,” Vu said. “I want to thank everyone at Cana Counseling for the opportunities they have given me, and I will miss them!”