Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

New director of Catholic Charities of Lee County brings enthusiasm agency

By Judy Bokorney
Web Site Editor

Fort Myers—Her life began along the banks of the exotic Nile River where she was raised in an upper class family. She attended Victory College, a prep school in Alexandria where the late King Hussein of Jordan graduated years before. But when her parents and four brothers had to leave Cairo, Egypt for Lebanon and then eventually the United States due to religious and political reasons, the struggles she endured sent her down another path.

Hoda Hanna, new district director of Catholic Charities of Lee County, has spent her adult life working in social service. She knows how it feels to be poor. Her family arrived in the United States with $212. She experienced religious persecution in Egypt because she and her family are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church. She understands what it is like to move to a different country and adapt to an unfamiliar culture in order to survive.

“I often can relate to what a client is going through,” said Hanna. “I was drawn to helping people because of what my family endured to have a safe life.”

Hanna joined Catholic Charities in November 2003. She plans, develops, coordinates and monitors all the programs at Hispanic Services of Catholic Charities in both Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, and the Haitian Center of Catholic Charities in Fort Myers.

“I believe in the Catholic Charities mission. I like the dedication of staff to the clients,” Hanna said. “It is important to be trustworthy to clients and the community that we serve. We work with families who need a lot of follow up in order to provide holistic case management. That requires us to treat them as a family and not just a case,” she said.

Hanna came to Catholic Charities after working for almost a decade at the Florida Department of Children and Families Fort Myers office where she was a contract program manager and community facilitator developing and implementing programs. Prior to that she worked at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Hanna also served on a national committee and attended national planning conferences, one of which revised the Best Practices guide for Family Centered Practice with the Child Welfare League of America. 

In six months time, Hanna has already made great strides for Catholic Charities of Lee County. One of her primary goals has been to update the technology at all program sites. She secured new computers for every worker through private donations and matching funds, and is creating an MIS network for all staff to access. Through this network, client information will be tracked properly and streamlined to better serve the community. Centralization of services has been completed to reduce overhead costs and create accountability for program outcomes. Hanna also has secured additional funding for the Lee County programs.

“I think Hoda is doing a great job,” said Dick Porrell, longtime advisory board member for Catholic Charities of Lee County. “She throws herself into her work and has a vast amount of experience that makes her very special. We are very lucky to have her,” he said.

"Hoda brings with her a tremendous amount of experience and professionalism that will help lead us into the future in Lee County as we strive to provide quality social and educational services to those in need," said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, president of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

“It has been a breath of fresh air since Hoda joined our staff,” said Susan Vasilev, who has worked for Catholic Charities of Lee County for four years as a volunteer coordinator and public relations coordinator. “She gets in there and rolls up her sleeves. She is what we needed to get our engines going.”

Vasilev said transitions to new administrators typically are hard for staff members but Hanna has an open door policy and has made herself available at all times to offer assistance. “When she says she will do something, she will. The staff already has put their trust in her decisions,” she said.

George Drobinski, chief operating officer for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, said in the relatively short time since joining the organization, Hanna has

proven to be a valuable asset.  “She has worked tirelessly to enhance the quality of program services provided in Lee County while seeking out and obtaining additional funding to support these important programs,” Drobinski said.

“She also gets actively involved in the positive development of her dedicated staff who effectively serve thousands of people in need in Lee County each year. She's a welcome addition to the management team,” he said.

Hanna and staff are planning the first annual Catholic Charities of Lee County Multi-Cultural Fiesta in October. The community event will serve as a fundraiser for programs featuring food, a fashion show and talent contest, music, and educational and fun children’s programs.

Hanna also is encouraging her staff to partner with the Mexican Consulate in Miami to offer educational programs that will assist clients in obtaining their high school diploma.

“I believe in collaboration with other agencies,” said Hanna. “You can’t do everything in isolation. The community has to work as a whole to take care of  needy families and their children. I’m excited about what we will be accomplishing at Catholic Charities in the near future.”

For more information about Catholic Charities of Lee County, please call 239-334-4007.

Photo: Hoda Hanna is the new director of Catholic Charities of Lee County.