About Us

Ability Tree First Coast, FL

The partnership between Ability Tree First Coast and the communities in Northeast Florida is the cornerstone of its future. We are committed to meeting the needs of the special needs community by offering Recreation, Education, Support, and Training. Our organization’s approach to excellence in the family’s development, socialization, and support is its hallmark.

As Ability Tree First Coast grows its roots deeper into the First Coast, our programs will provide various opportunities for our families to be supported, included, and educated. We currently offer respite through our Stop, Drop, & Play kids socials and SociAbility Connections youth & adult socials, as well as summer day camps for kids and youth: CampAbility Special Day Camp. We host a Parent HOPE Support Group for all parents & caregivers of special needs children of any age.

We also promote inclusion in the community by offering trainings & presentations/assemblies which provide awareness & strategies for churches, businesses, schools, and organizations to assimilate these families into their visions. In the future, we will offer activities including sibling groups, workshops, and after-school programs.

Our Team

Joanne Alicea

Joanne is our Branch Founder & Executive Director, as well as the parent of a spunky teenage boy with Down syndrome & ADHD and a creative daughter with ADD. Joanne believes in the collaboration of individuals, families, and the communities they live in, to work together to create a culture of support, inclusion, and personal growth. She does presentations on disability awareness in various settings, including conferences, churches, business & civic groups, and schools. With Joanne’s background in case management & support coordination, she provides great insight for those needing to understand more about disability resources and education.

Brittany Helwig

Brittany is our Program Coordinator. She is an educator and advocate for people with disabilities, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education for students with visual disabilities at Florida State University. With a focus on orientation and mobility, she has held roles as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and Orientation & Mobility Specialist (O&M), gaining diverse educational experience. Driven by her passion for inclusivity, Brittany founded Adaptive Superstars, a nonprofit providing recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Now facilitating social events for Ability Tree, she continues her mission of promoting social skills and fun, fostering meaningful connections for individuals of all abilities.

Jessenia Alicea

Jessenia ‘Jesse’ is our Administrative Assistant and one of our co-teachers for CampAbility Kids Camp. She has a younger brother with Down syndrome & ADHD, so she has a personal understanding of the disability community. In May 2021, she completed the Florida Teaching Academy program pursuing a future in special education. She is a student at Florida State University pursuing a career in ESE education, minoring in ASL. Jesse has a passion for every person to be heard and understood, which is why her focus will also be on assistive technology so students can communicate in whatever format that may be. Jesse volunteered with our camp for the first 4 years of its inception, and then was added to our staff in 2020. She is certified in CPR/AED and proficient in American Sign Language.

Beth Sullivan

Beth is our lead teacher for CampAbility Youth Camp. She has 30+ years of experience working with children with special needs in the school system and in the community. She was awarded the St. Johns County School District “School-Related Employee of the Year” in 2021! She also provides supports to teens and adults through respite, companionship, personal supports/life skills, and supported living. She has a desire for individuals to reach their fullest potential. She has experience with behavioral management and medically complex individuals. She is certified in CPR/AED/First Aid, as well as Medication Administration.

Carrie Domo

Carrie is a co-teacher for our CampAbility Kids Camp. Her family has been personally impacted by disabilities, as her brother-in-law has cerebral palsy, and she has a 3-legged pug, Charlotte, that is herself, exceptional. Carrie moved to the St. Augustine area from Richmond, Virginia, where she was an ESE paraprofessional. Carrie started as an ESE paraprofessional with St. Johns County Schools in August 2023. Working with exceptional kids is her passion and something that brings her great joy. She loves to see life through their eyes and do whatever she can in the time she has with them to help them set and achieve goals.

Patricia Fasano

Patricia ‘Trisha’ is a co-teacher for our CampAbility Kids Camp. Trisha has three cousins with disabilities, and thanks to her aunt who was an ESE teacher, she started working with children and adults with special needs when she was 13 years old. Trisha loved it and continued to volunteer for several years. Then in February 2024, Trisha started working at Pedro Menendez High with our ESE high schoolers. She understands how truly wonderful, smart, and absolutely hilarious they are. She says, “They know how to put a smile on your face when you’re having a rough day.” She is certified in CPR/AED. Her goal as a camp teacher is to help our campers have a much fun as possible!

Victoria Golden

Victoria Golden is our teacher’s assistant for our CampAbility Kids Camp. In May of 2024, she graduated from Flagler College with a degree in Deaf Education with a minor in ASL. Throughout her time at Flagler, she has had the opportunity to work with students with various abilities from PreK-12th grade. During this time, she has become an expert at small group instruction as well as making activities accessible for all of her students. She has a passion for working with children and supporting them to meet their fullest potential. She is a fierce advocate for her students and is always trying to educate others on the need for inclusion.

Executive Board

Joanne Alicea

ATFC Board Chairman, Branch Founder & Executive Director of Ability Tree First Coast, Ministry Leader at Bridge of Life Church, and former Missionary Associate for the Intercultural Ministries of the Assemblies of God