The first Respite was held in 1999. We patterned it after a similar program in Buffalo NY. We have served more than 300 women since that time. Our goal is to have 25 mothers at each Respite for time away for rest and relaxation. The woman we are looking for would be low income and weary, a woman who cannot afford to get away.
We hold the Respite at St. Therese’s Retreat Center. The setting is peaceful and the grounds are lovely. Each woman has a private room. Upon arrival each woman is greeted by one of our volunteer team members who will carry her bag in and show her to her room. She receives a hospitality bag of toiletries. They spend the next four days creating, praying, relaxing with a massage and getting festive at a birthday party. They laugh and cry and nap.
By the end of the four days, a strong community of friendship and support has developed among the women. Every year we are amazed by the grace of our time together.