The Desmond Center

A Legacy of Wellness

Celebrating Five Years of Connection and Care

To the community,

For the past five years, the Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness has been more than just a grant-funded initiative. It’s been a space where we learned, healed, moved, and grew together.

This December, we officially marked the conclusion of our five-year journey, made possible by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. As we close this chapter, we do so with immense gratitude and a heart full of memories.

What started as a goal to provide accessible health and wellness services blossomed into a vibrant community. Since our inception, we have had the honor of serving approximately 6,300 individuals.

From the 2023 Health and Wellness Conference to our weekly movement classes, every event was a testament to the power of partnership. Working alongside organizations like the Orange County Office for the Aging and Catholic Charities, we worked hard to ensure that wellness was accessible to everyone in our area, including the uninsured and underserved.

We recently gathered with more than 100 community members, partners, and families for our final Winter Wellness Celebration. It was a fitting finale for a program rooted in connection.

“We are still glowing from the joy of our Winter Wellness Day,” said Ashley Collazo, Acting Director. “It was a reminder – in the most heartfelt way – that what we’ve built together is rooted in connection, consistency, and genuine care.”

Ashley added, for everyone who joined us over the years, “I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our instructors, partners, volunteers, and every community member who has shown up, month after month, to breathe, paint, stretch, learn, heal, laugh, and grow with us. Your presence and intention are what made this space come alive.”

While the daily operations of the Desmond Center are concluding, the seeds we planted will continue to grow.

• Student Impact: Our Mount students gained invaluable experience through internships and service projects, learning what it truly means to serve a community.
• Ongoing Commitment: Mount Saint Mary College remains deeply committed to Newburgh. We will continue our active collaborations with the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, the Newburgh Ministry, and Habitat for Humanity.
• The Summer Institute: We are proud to announce that our signature Summer Institute for Nursing Exploration, which introduces local high school students to healthcare careers, will continue under the college’s leadership.

Thank you for five incredible years. Thank you for trusting us with your wellness, and for allowing us to be part of your lives.

With gratitude,

The Desmond Center Team