Celebrating Achievements and Looking Ahead:

What’s Next for Us

A message from Trish Gathers: CEO, The Carmelite System

We’re thrilled to announce the return of our Employee Newsletter, The Beacon, at the Carmelite System! After a brief hiatus, we have revamped the newsletter with you, our valued employees, in mind. This revitalized publication will serve as a platform to highlight our mission and guiding principles, providing you with updates on what’s happening across our System and the impact we are striving to make in our communities. In each edition, you can expect to find important information about employee benefits, insights on opportunities you should consider, and inspiring stories that celebrate the incredible work you do every day. Now is a wonderful time to be part of the Carmelite System! We want you to know that we are here for you and truly appreciate your dedication to our ministry. Your hard work makes a difference, and we are excited to share this journey together. 

Updates from the Carmelite System: First and foremost, we want to acknowledge the recent closure of Marian Manor and the sale of Saint Margaret Hall. These were difficult decisions, and we have been working diligently on plans to renovate and reposition these ministries—Marian Manor for the past 20 years and Saint Margaret Hall for the last seven. However, after the pandemic, it became clear that significant capital infrastructure would be required which would hinder our ability to serve our residents in alignment with our mission.

However, we were able to invest in several renovations of our other facilities to sustain our ministry.  Specifically, we renovated units at Saint Patrick's Residence, Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, and Kahl Home. We also have several other exciting upgrades underway at Ozanam Hall, where we are introducing a new memory care floor that will greatly benefit both our ministry and the residents we serve. These improvements at Ozanam Hall have been made possible through the generous support of the Cabrini Foundation, as well as grants from the State of New York. We are committed to supplementing any capital renovations we undertake, ensuring that our organization grows stronger with all the available resources and fundraising opportunities available to non-profits. Furthermore, we are excited to announce capital expenditures, which were delayed due to COVID, have begun at D’Youville, St. Patrick's Manor, Carmel Terrace, and Lourdes. 

We are also pleased to report that Cabrini Westchester (NY) will be joining the Carmelite System later in 2024 or in the beginning of 2025.  The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be transferring sponsorship of this historic ministry to our Sisters and similar to our work at Mount Carmel Care Center and D’Youville, we will ensure the legacy of both congregations are honored.  

Additionally, we are proud to announce that our Fitch rating of BBB+ has been confirmed. This affirmation reflects the external market’s confidence in our recovery from the pandemic and our strategies to strengthen our ministry moving forward.  

To support our mission sustainability, we are investing in various new programs including enhanced training for our employees. This includes initiatives focused on artificial intelligence to enhance our approach to delivering care, as well as corporate compliance training and core skill development. We will also prioritize supervisor training this Fall to ensure our staff feels supported and empowered, enabling us to provide high-level service to our residents. 

We are deeply grateful for the strategic insight and commitment of our Sponsor, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. Their focus on providing high-quality care in a welcoming environment fosters a strong sense of shared commitment among our employees, residents, boards, and communities. Together, we continue to demonstrate our long-standing commitment to enhancing the lives and dignity of our residents. At the Carmelite System, yes, the difference is love. You will hear more about our ongoing initiatives aimed at quality improvement and safety for both our residents and our employees in this issue and future issues.

Again, thank you for your commitment to serving in our ministry!  

Trish
CEO, The Carmelite System