Hope Villages announces new growth plan

The nonprofit Hope Villages of America (HVA) has announced a new three-year strategic growth plan aimed at expanding its impact on Pinellas County residents.

For more than 50 years, the Hope Villages of America (formerly RCS Pinellas) mission has been to support individuals facing hunger, homelessness, domestic violence or a lack of basic needs. According to the nonprofit, each year HVA serves approximately 150,000 people, distributes more than six million pounds of food, responds to more than 3,800 domestic abuse calls and provides transitional living assistance to individuals and families. By 2028, Hope Villages of America intends to increase the number of individuals and families served from 150,000 annually to a “broader and more diverse population,” according to a media release. 

In a Jan. 6 press conference announcing the new strategic growth plan Nick DiCeglie, President and CEO of Hope Villages of America, said, “We want every member of this community to know who we are, what we stand for and how they can join us in this vital work.”

The plan comes in response to growing needs within Pinellas County. Recent data from the 2024 Point-in-Time Count revealed a 12% increase in homelessness in St. Petersburg, with 721 individuals counted as homeless. To address this, HVA plans to develop stronger partnerships with housing providers and enhance workforce development collaborations.

HVA also plans to ramp up its efforts to address food insecurity by launching new community-based food access programs and enhancing partnerships with local food suppliers.

“We aim to increase our network and amplify the impact of our programs. Collaboration is key, and together, we can achieve more than any of us could alone,” DiCeglie said. 

Nick DiCeglie, President and CEO of Hope Villages of America, speaks about the nonprofit’s new strategic plan at a media event Jan. 6.

Domestic violence also remains a persistent problem in the region, with HVA’s Abuse Services Division reporting a rise in demand for crisis intervention, counseling and legal advocacy. The organization reported receiving more than 2,500 calls for help in 2024. In response, HVA plans to increase its capacity to support survivors of abuse by strengthening its community outreach efforts, expanding shelter facilities and providing additional services, including legal support and workforce training for survivors.

“As we chart the course for the next chapter of Hope Villages of America, this strategic growth plan is both a reaffirmation of our mission and a powerful call to action,” DiCeglie said in a prepared statement. “This plan is about creating lasting, sustainable change. We are committed to helping individuals not only survive but thrive. With expanded services and strategic collaborations, we will empower our community to rise above the challenges they face.”

The strategic plan also focuses on strengthening HVA’s mission, governance, organizational culture and financial sustainability.

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