How fast was Sister Nancy Downing’s first year in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington? Faster than a New York minute.
One year ago this month, Sister Nancy, a religious sister in the Congregation of Notre Dame, relocated from midtown Manhattan to the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C., to begin her new role as CEO of St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families located in Hyattsville, Maryland. Founded in 1860, St. Ann’s Center serves mothers and their children facing a crisis like homelessness through supportive and transitional housing, clinical and social work services, education and employment support, and child care.
Program growth and exciting renovations made 2024 fly by for St. Ann’s new leader, and 2025 is off to an equally fast-paced start. In an interview, Sister Nancy discussed the challenges and successes of her first year on the job, her goals for 2025, and her long-term visions for St. Ann’s and the families they support.
Sister Nancy, what initially drew you to St. Ann's Center and this leadership role?
“St. Ann’s Center called to my heart immediately. During the interview process, I got to tour St. Ann’s, meet the staff, and see the programs in action. This helped broaden my understanding of this mission, and my appreciation for how unique this center is. There are not many programs like St. Ann’s, in the DMV or in the nation.
“At Covenant House New York [Downing’s previous CEO role], we served youth facing crisis, trauma, and heartbreak. In many ways St. Ann’s is a deepening of that same calling. At St. Ann’s, I have more of an opportunity to get to know the women and children directly (as well as getting to know our staff and donors), so it is more intensive, collaborative work.”
Reflecting on your first year, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
“Our primary challenge has been expanding to meet the needs of the young families who are most affected by housing unaffordability and homelessness in our region. Sadly, this need is growing, as too many of our neighbors are truly living at the margins. We see this daily in the number of referrals and self-referrals St. Ann’s Center receives, often from families who are just days away from having no shelter at all.
“In response to this growing need, our staff and leadership worked hard to streamline our intake process so we could serve a greater number of families in 2024. As a result, we reached the highest resident census we’ve had since the pandemic. This challenge is one of many, and there is still much to do.”
What achievements from the past year are you most proud of?
“Forty-one families [41 mothers and their 44 children] lived with us last year. Ten of those families have now successfully graduated from our programs. These are major milestones for St. Ann’s. I couldn’t be prouder of the families, and our staff. I’m also overjoyed that our Child Care Center also grew to an enrollment of 70 students, including children who live here at St. Ann’s and those who live in the surrounding community.”
How has your vision for St. Ann's Center evolved since you took on the role of CEO?
“My first year has been one of listening and engaging. St. Ann’s has a strong foundation in place, and a solid FY23-FY26 Strategic Plan that guides me and our leadership team. We are all focused on helping continue to increase St. Ann’s capacity to better serve more women and children in our community.
“The visions that women here have for their own lives inform my vision for St. Ann’s. Last winter, one client who had journeyed with us over several years – from teen mother to college graduate – achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a homeowner. Another alumna reached her goal of becoming an elected official. Other women dream of higher education, or specific dream careers. This is what I think about each day: ‘How can we best help our clients build the lives they dream of – and deserve?’”
Can you describe a particularly impactful moment or story that stands out to you from this past year?
“The women who live at St. Ann’s humble and inspire me daily. They have been through difficulty and trauma, yet they continue to show up for their children, for themselves, and for each other. I am amazed at the care and compassion they show each other.
“Women forge lifelong friendships here. Two friends and former residents of St. Ann’s came back for a visit over the summer. I got to join them as they visited their old rooms and shared memories about other friends who had moved on to independence. These two women showed me how deeply St. Ann’s can shape a person’s identity and life-story. Their own daughters are 28 now, and successful in their own right. One of the women also shared that she ‘felt like her life began at St. Ann’s.’ That testimony really stays with me.”
How has the support from the local community and donors influenced your work at St. Ann's Center?
“Volunteers, donors, Board Members, and alumni make St. Ann’s work possible – everything from financial support to literally painting the walls, installing new lights, and putting together furniture for our new residential and Child Care spaces. We are blessed.
“Local and regional partnerships help us knock out the more complex projects on our to-do list. We receive vital support from numerous faith communities, who often fill our supply rooms with formula, diapers, toiletries, and all the other critical items.
“Many of these partnerships go back years. I am thankful for those who came before me, especially Sister Mary Bader, for providing such an open door to the community and fostering this level of collaboration.”
Their daughters are now 28 years old and successful in their own right. One of the women also commented that she felt like her “life started at St. Ann’s”
Can you talk about any unexpected lessons or insights you've gained during your first year?
“One unexpected lesson has been realizing just how many people across the D.C. region (which I am still getting familiar with, by the way!) have deep-rooted, rich connections with St. Ann’s. Some are recent alumna of our programs. Some are grown children of mothers who once lived at St. Ann’s. Others lived at St. Ann’s before they were adopted as children, in the decades when adoption was part of our mission.
“At our Christmas Open House, I met a 30-something dad with two young sons. They had come, for the first time ever, to see the place where his own dad had been adopted years ago. Becoming a grandfather helped inspire that man to share this closely-held part of his story with the next generations. These are tender stories, that we get to play a role in.”
In what ways has your faith influenced your approach to leading a nonprofit organization like St. Ann's Center?
“As I shared last spring with the Catholic Standard, I experienced a roundabout journey to religious life, which came after my career as a lawyer working in the insurance industry. Reconnecting as an adult with my former religious education teacher, Sister Julia, sparked an awareness of a new path, a new way of loving and living. This experience led me to join the Congregation of Notre Dame.
“Faith to me, feels like a continuing journey, a constant process and winding stair. If I’ve ever gotten to the point where I think I have faith ‘figured out,’ that’s when I know I’m in trouble! Listening closely is what helped me to accept the new path God put in front of me, through Sister Julia. That same listening, and staying open to possibility, defines my approach to nonprofit leadership. Relationships, listening, and belief in the power of good to overcome division and conflict – these are the things I rely on, what I ask for God’s help with.”
What are you most looking forward to as your second year begins?
“There are several exciting projects happening at St. Ann’s. But right this second, I’m looking forward to our Hope Blossoms event on May 14, 2025! We are fortunate to have Vince C. Burke serving as event chair. And we’re going to honor a very special someone.”
Last question – how does the bagel and pizza scene in the DMV compare to NYC?
“Ha! The bagels and pizza in NYC are one-of-a-kind. I don’t think you can compare. But the bagels and pizza in the DMV are great too! I can say this: when St. Ann’s received a visit in September from Thea LaFond, who had just won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ledo Pizza in College Park was kind enough to donate several large pies so that Thea could break bread with our families. That was one of the best slices I had this past year!”
