Andrea Shillingford Named Catholic Charities’ Executive Director

Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands has announced the selection of Andrea Shillingford as the organization’s new executive director, according to a press release issued on Tuesday. Shillingford will be the leader in organizing programs and projects for the territory’s arm of the nonprofit organization.

Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands offers services to assist the needs of the less fortunate, homeless, and those who live in poverty. Some services/programs it offers are Bethlehem House Shelters for the Homeless (STT & STX), street mobile outreach, soup kitchens and emergency help services.

Andrea Shillingford

Director Shillingford worked along with the previous Executive Director, Michael Akin, for eight years as his assistant. Before joining the oranization, Shillingford’s roots in the Catholic faith guided her to this new position. Shillingford, born in Dominica, W.I., attended Convent High School and resided at the St. Bernadette’s Girl’s Hostel. Her years of experience and faith have molded her into becoming the person she is today, according to information provided in the release.

“I think this was the time when I started to really understand what it meant to be Catholic. While living at the hostel, which was right next to Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral in Roseau, it was our duty to assist with cleaning the church, and doing other chores in the sacristy,” Shillingford said. “We had to attend mass regularly, most times twice per day, or we did not get the privilege of going to the movies once per month. We also had the opportunity to have some really good discussions with our priests and the nun.”

Former Director Akin expressed confidence in Shillingford’s ability to garner support and raise funds during a time when government and private funding continue to decrease.

“I have every confidence that Andrea Shillingford will enjoy that same support as she moves our programs forward while facing the challenges of decreased government and private funding,” he said.