The Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Anti-Human Trafficking Team was part of a larger coalition organized to support operation “Home for the Holidays,” a state-wide rescue mission comprised of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
A task force, led by the U.S. Marshals Service, located and received 122 missing and endangered Florida children in a two-week operation. Catholic Charities DOV was standing by, ready to ensure the children, including 29 from the Fort Myers region, were cared for in an appropriate and supportive process following the rescue, as announced Nov. 17, 2025.
Erika Pineros, who leads the Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Team, said the team was invited to participate as part of the on-site advocacy group because of their expertise in trauma-informed care and experience supporting vulnerable and potentially exploited youth.
“Our advocates helped ensure that every child rescued then encountered compassion, stability, and immediate support during the recovery process,” Pineros said. “This included providing basic necessities, offering emotional reassurance, and collaborating closely with the broader team to make sure each child’s immediate safety and well-being was prioritized.”
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who has been an outspoken supporter of this Catholic Charities outreach program, stated, “It was a blessing that Catholic Charities was able to step up and help in this multi-agency effort. Assisting the victims of human trafficking is an important outreach that impacts far too many. They are on the frontlines helping children, and adults, overcome an exploitation that is nearly impossible to comprehend.”
Pineros said Catholic Charities was notified of the “Home for the Holidays” operation in advance and the coordination among the different agencies ensured that the transition for the children from dire circumstances was made as smoothly as possible during the course of a two-week period.
“It was organized as a trauma-informed approach, even before the child was there,” Pineros said. “The safe house was decorated and welcoming with gift baskets. One person was assigned to each child as an advocate. Each child was given a chance to rest, to have some food, take a nap and receive a medical evaluation.”
Pineros said one young man said he hadn’t had a hamburger in a long time, so someone went to the Five Guys restaurant to get him what he wanted. Two teens, a brother and a sister, were joyfully reunited after two years apart.
Case managers were assigned to work on the reunification process and children were reunited with family whenever possible. Catholic Charities offers a variety of counseling and other services for victims of human trafficking. While some of the children refused, others accepted this offer of help and will be assisted as long as needed. For those who passed on immediate help, the Catholic Charities team provided information to the parents/guardians in case future assistance is needed.
“It was a very rewarding experience,” Pineros said. “Often, we are dealing with individuals in a crisis and try to meet all of the needs at one time. For our entire team it was nice to be part of something bigger as everyone came together for the children.”
“Operation Home for the Holidays” is being heralded as one of the largest and most successful child-recovery missions in state history. It brought together more than 200 agencies and partners across Fort Myers, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, and surrounding counties — an unprecedented coalition that included the FBI, 11 sheriff’s offices, four police departments, four state agencies and 25 nonprofit organizations, including Catholic Charities.
“Thanks to one of the single largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history, 122 missing children are safe,” said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. “This operation highlights the strength and diligence of Florida’s Law Enforcement. I am deeply grateful for everyone that made Operation Home for the Holidays a massive success. Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”
About the Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program
The Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program has a long-standing commitment to the plight of human trafficking in Southwest Florida by providing intensive case management and mental health counseling to all individuals who are the victims of this crime as they attempt to integrate into society after being rescued.
The group works closely with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout Southwest Florida to provide and coordinate an expansive array of services to survivors from basic human needs to legal representation. Comprehensive case management and direct assistance is offered to all victims of severe human trafficking, which include minors, adults, and both domestic and foreign-born individuals. A victim-centered approach is used to deliver aid to clients while maintaining a mission of compassion, integrity, and empathy.
Victims are offered the following services: food and clothing; coordination to a shelter at a safe distance from the site of the exploitation; transitional housing; medical and dental service coordination; mental health counseling; referrals for further mental health services as needed; state and federal laws and benefits orientation and education; benefit application assistance; educational and language service opportunities; liaison with law enforcement and immigration service providers; and coordination with various community agencies for other required services.
Catholic Charities staff is active in various organizations that coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking and to inform the public about this heinous crime.
To learn more about the Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program, please call 239-738-8722, or visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/anti-human-trafficking. If you would like to support this program, you can scan the QR code or visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/donate.
Bishop Dewane celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass prior to the blessing and groundbreaking ceremony, praising the vision of St. John XXIII Pastor Jay Raju, the religious education staff, and the parishioners for their dedication to supporting the youth through the building of a Youth Center.
Marriage Preparation Retreats are required by the Diocese of Venice for those couples preparing for Sacramental Marriage in the Catholic Church. To help facilitate this requirement, the Diocese of Venice Office of Evangelization hosts retreats in English and Spanish at different times throughout the year. The most recent retreat took place Nov. 8, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. There were 50 couples in attendance. To see the Schedule for 2026 Marriage Prep Days of Reflection, people can go to: 
The 40 Days for Life fall campaign began Sept. 24, 2025, and concluded on Nov. 2, with local efforts taking place in Naples, Sarasota and Fort Myers. 40 Days for Life is an international 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion mills. This year’s campaign is the biggest effort yet, with prayer vigils in more than 650 cities across the country.
During the Mass, Bishop Dewane thanked all those who stood faithful vigil in front of abortion facilities in Fort Myers, and throughout the Diocese, being a witness for the unborn.
Among the babies saved in recent weeks were at least two at the 40 Days location in Sarasota. A closing ceremony took place in Sarasota on Nov. 2, All Souls Day, and included a symbolic Jericho Walk.
The Campus Ministry and Theology Department at St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples took on the Celtic Rosary Challenge in October with a goal of praying 2,000 Hail Marys for the intentions of Peace, Hope, and Healing. Through the heartfelt participation of students, faculty, and staff, they more than exceeded their goal – praying 10,017 Hail Marys! Well done everyone!
The Diocese of Venice partnered on the project with National Development of America, Inc. (NDA), and was supported by the City of Fort Myers, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery administered by Lee County, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Officials from these agencies attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
Although the project faced numerous delays and massive price increases since its first proposal in 2016, National Development’s Rick Miller said the time and effort has been worth every moment.
Bishop Dewane said Admission to Candidacy is also a declaration on the part of the 10 men to publicly commit that they are and will engage in the formational process, in all its dimensions, with ever-greater dedication and vigor and the highest integrity. This is all made possible by the nurturing support of God’s grace and the support of their families, their formation team, and the prayers of the Church.
The Bishop explained how St. Pope Gregory III established the modern-day All Saints Day early in the 8th century and stressed the need to begin the vigil for the solemnity the day before, thus creating All Hallows Eve.
