Ann DeNicolo, BVM: Leaving a Lasting Impact
Congratulations to Ann DeNicolo, BVM who retired in December 2021 from Catholic Charities in Arcadia, Fla. For more than 20 years, Ann has lived the mission of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc., “ to provide help, hope, and serve all.”
“I believe no one person or organization is responsible for changes that have occurred in Arcadia over the past years. The wonderful thing about working in a small town is that the people work together as a community addressing the needs of the people.
“I am so grateful that our BVM congregation has played a significant role in helping Arcadia grow, with the help of our Ministry Partnership Grants for the Tiny Town Project, the Boys and Girls Club, and Links2Success Program.
“It is just another example of how we continue to work unitedly with and for others. When you love what you do, you never have to work! I’ve been blessed by the love and support of my sisters, associates, and friends for the past 21 years!” —Ann DeNicolo, BVM
Catholic Charities is a live and well in South Central Florida. Just ask Ann (Thomas) DeNicolo, BVM who recently retired from Catholic Charities in Arcadia, Fla., after more than 20 years of ministry. Arcadia is an old, small, rural town in the center of the state, surrounded by citrus groves and cattle ranches.
Ann began her ministry as the director of the Catholic Charities office. She was advised early on that she would need to prove herself and her commitment to the community by getting involved and staying involved if she wanted Catholic Charities to make a meaningful impact in this small, Bible Belt community. Ann quickly began to network with the other social service agencies in the Arcadia and in DeSoto County. She reached out to the other agencies, met their leadership, and partnered with them in community-wide outreach activities. She was invited to join the city Ministerial Association as a representative of the Catholic Church.
Catholic Charities’ mission is “to provide help, create hope, and serve all.” Until her recent retirement, Ann was the Director of Prevention and Support Services. In her role, Ann offered assistance with rent, mortgages, utilities, food, transportation needs, prescriptions, and health services. Ann believes education is indispensable, so she assisted clients in creating a monthly budget and prioritizing their expenses. She referred them to employment opportunities and offered guidance in applying for other appropriate services available to them. Without help in these areas, clients will find themselves in the same vulnerable position month after month.
A significant part of her ministry was as an advocate for her clients—the rural poor. She frequently contacted landlords and utility companies, assuring them of payment and requesting them to omit punitive actions, such as late fees or disconnections. The impact of COVID-19 has called on the non-profit and faith-based agencies to intervene and provide for an increased number of clients, including farmworkers, who are often denied federal assistance because of their questionable legal status. As their advocate, Ann directed and assisted her clients in accessing monies that are available to them.
In 2004, the devastating Category 4 Hurricane Charley swept across southern Florida from Punta Gorda to Orlando. Many of the rural poor of Arcadia, including migrant workers and their families, found themselves homeless. Hurricane Charley turned out to be a blessing in disguise. With the trailers destroyed, there was opportunity to build anew. Under Ann’s leadership, Catholic Charities was able to use federal funds to build new housing. In 2013, Casa San Juan Bosco Farmworker Housing Community opened. Today there are 97 three- and four-bedroom state-of-the-art homes, a soccer field, playground, community garden, and two community centers with computer labs and libraries. Casa offers after-school programs for the children. During the day while children are in school, mothers attend classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) and participate in other learning opportunities. Adequate housing has allowed farmworkers and their families to settle and become permanent members of DeSoto County.
Adding to the challenges faced by the rural poor and farmworkers, Hurricane Charley also devastated many of the citrus groves in the area. The result was the loss of jobs, which increased the need for more education and job-training opportunities in the county.
BVM Ministry Partnership Grants also support another exciting community-wide project in the development of the Village of Tiny Town, which will provide housing for homeless people. Each small home will be fully furnished with all home necessities. Clients will be able to stay for up to two years and receive help connecting with and developing work skills so they can transition into independence.
In addition to developing housing for those in need, BVM grants also helped fund educational enrichment programs for DeSoto County students through the Boys and Girls Club of Arcadia and the at-risk youth program, Links2Success.
In 2000, DeSoto County ranked as the second poorest county in the state. Today it has moved up to sixth! Over these 20-plus years with the support of the BVM community, Ann’s perseverance, creativity, and skills in partnering and networking have made her and Catholic Charities trusted members of the Arcadia community.
This story was featured in:
WINTER 2022: CELEBRATING THE GIFTS WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN
In this issue of Salt, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary adapt and thrive during the pandemic, use their gifts in ministry in ways that carry out the BVM core values, express gratitude to supporters and donors, and take strides to preserve BVM history.
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