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November 5, 2020 Giving Guide: Business Gives Back 2020

Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, Inc.

 

31 Colton Street, Farmington, CT 06032 | 860-677-8519 | www.ourladyofcalvary.net

Our Mission: To promote the dignity of women and to meet their many needs, emanates from our relationships with one another and our God. Our retreat center is a place where women are accepted, affirmed, healed, encouraged, and where life and growth are celebrated.

We offer a full schedule of retreat programming, from the spiritual to the arts, from recovery to stress management, from wellness to themes of social justice. All are welcome regardless of faith or no faith, status, or educational background and recently, men were welcomed for their own time of reflection. Through the generosity of many of the people who attend retreats and programs at OLC, we are able to provide financial aid to people who want to attend retreats but cannot afford to do so. 

While each retreat has a schedule that helps participants focus on a central theme, retreatants participate only as much as they choose. No one is required to attend all the events scheduled during a retreat. There are opportunities for alone time, contemplative prayer, personal reflection with a staff member, walking the beautiful grounds and finding the time to refresh the spirit. 

Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center also serves as a major conference center in central Connecticut for outside hosted groups. OLC serves over 1,000 conference attendees annually, which represent ecumenical, school, spiritual and business groups. Many of these groups utilize OLC’s facilities for day and weekend long conferences, meetings and retreats.

Much has been accomplished in the nearly 60 years of serving women and groups from near and far. But OLC is again facing the opportunity for further renovation and enhancement, not only to update our retreat house to make it more efficient, but also to broaden our offerings, and our reach. Doing this keeps our mission of “Enabling women to the fullness of their dignity … ” alive and growing.

Almost 30 years ago I made the decision to attend my first retreat at Our Lady of Calvary in Farmington, CT. I was so moved by my weekend experience that I became a promoter of retreats and day and evening programs. The warmth and compassion I felt from the Sisters of the Cross and Passion and their staff led me to participate in many additional ways, on various committees for programs, especially fundraising events. Eventually I was invited to be a member of the board of trustees. I refer to OLC as my “home away from home,” adopting a room in the main house where my sister and I would stay on our yearly retreat weekends. Recently relocating to Sarasota, Florida, I continue to participate virtually with my friends at OLC. 
– Gina Dolan, Sarasota, FL

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your organization? How have your organization’s fundraising efforts, giving opportunities and volunteer opportunities changed as a result? 

Our in-person programming has been suspended since March 2020. We will begin limited in-person retreats again in October 2020. Our fundraising efforts have been substantial to keep us going, based on the sincere generosity of our supporters and donors.

How have the services you provide to the community changed in response to the COVID’s impact? Have you developed new and far-reaching services/support? 

During Covid, we began offering virtual programming via Zoom, etc. which has been very well received by our community. However, our goal is to return to our normal in-person retreats and hosted events as soon as it is safe to do so, based on the status of the pandemic.

About Us

Year established: 1958

Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): $475,000

Total number of employees: 9

Geographic Service Area(s)

New England

Top Funding Sources

Retreats & Hosted Groups: 50%

Private donors: 15%

Fundraising: 35%

Board of Trustees

Administrator, Ronald Miceli
President, William Husic, Lockton Companies

Administrator
Ronald Miceli

President
William Husic
Lockton Companies

Board Member
David Crowell

Board Member
Marie DiBenedetto

Corporate Member
Sr. Mary Jane Holden, CP

Corporate Member
Sr. Bernadette Hughes, CP

Board Member
Edward J. Kuchar

Board Member
Jeanine Reckdenwald

Corporate Member
Sr. Elissa Rinere, CP

Board Member
Michelle Zettergren