One volunteer shift to a lifelong partnership
By Troy Hill
A deeply devoted member of the community, Xavier Walker is known for his nonprofit work across Arizona organizations such as the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network, Black Philanthropy Initiative, Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson, Greater Phoenix Urban League, Helping Hands for Single Moms, and currently runs his own nonprofit consulting business, X Marks the Spot Consulting, which helps nonprofits and other businesses structure and strategize for their organizations. Of all his involvement, one organization that he keeps coming back to is St. Vincent de Paul.
“At St. Vincent de Paul, the words ‘Feed, Clothe, House, and Heal,’ are not just words. This is what the team at SVdP lives out every single day. This organization is dedicated to bettering the lives of our brothers and sisters in our community,” Xavier said.
Originally from Texas (and a devoted Cowboys fan), Xavier moved to Arizona with his family when he was in high school, but quickly fell in love with the Grand Canyon State. He stayed in-state to attend the University of Arizona, and while the rest of his family has moved out of the state, he stayed and has been a huge advocate for the community ever since.
Xavier first became involved with SVdP in high school when he volunteered with a group, and it left such an impression with him that he’s come back to help ever since. In the years since his first volunteer shift, he has volunteered in the kitchen, helped food and water drives, and even hosted special events for SVdP.
“The work that SVdP is doing is so incredible. I think that we're all called to serve the least of these,” he said. “SVdP helps to bridge the gap, and does that every day, and I'm honored to be a small part of it."
He even makes a point to volunteer every year on his birthday and on Christmas Day, making an event out of it and bringing a group of friends to help serve a meal at SVdP’s Phoenix Dining Room.
“It makes your Christmas holiday that much more special when you start your day with volunteering,” he said. “St. Vincent de Paul runs on volunteers, and people don't realize that this place we need volunteers 365 days a year.”
His biggest contribution to the mission of SVdP each year has been his participation in the planning and hosting of the SVdP Juneteenth celebration. He has been able to leverage his network and bring together a large group of people together to and celebrate an important holiday to the history of America.
“My family has been celebrating Juneteenth every year since I was a child, well before it was a recognized federal holiday,” he said. “The beautiful thing about the St. Vincent de Paul Juneteenth breakfast is it’s an opportunity to bring together people who already know and love Juneteenth, and they get to come and learn about St. Vincent de Paul. The people that know and love St. Vincent de Paul, who may know nothing about Juneteenth, are learning and growing and sharing ideas. All over a delicious breakfast that the SVdP prepares. It's just a community melting pot that is very unique. It doesn't happen that way for other Juneteenth celebrations in our community.”
Shawn Donnelly, SVdP’s Associate Chief Philanthropy Officer, works closely with Xavier on his efforts with SVdP, especially with planning the Juneteenth celebration.
“Xavier wants to make an experience meaningful,” she said. “He really thinks about his network and how to invite everyone in to be a part of not just Juneteenth, but St. Vincent de Paul, because we mean so much to him, and he wants everyone to experience the same joy he does being a part of our mission.”
Xavier can’t believe how long he’s been involved at SVdP, or that 2026 marks the third annual Juneteenth celebration at SVdP, but he also plans on continuing his partnership, all because of the community that he find readily available to join.
“SVdP is a such a special place, and I would just want people to know that if you're looking for a place to invest your time to volunteer, to give back in whatever way that's meaningful to you, SVdP is a place that you can find stability, comfort, and peace in knowing that whatever you give, whether it be time, talent, or treasure, it is multiplied tenfold,” he said.
