About Us
Since 1947, Cushing has positively impacted thousands of exceptional lives.
All Ages. All Abilities. All Together.
Having worked at Cardinal Cushing Centers for over 25 years, I can confidently say that not only does it take a village, but that village needs to be full of kind, smart, compassionate, and creative people who share a common goal.
We embody our mission of supporting people of all ages, all abilities, all together. With tenured staff and state-of-the-art facilities, we help exceptional people lead extraordinary lives.
Come for a tour, meet our community, and find your place at Cushing.
Michelle Markowitz
Cardinal Cushing Center President and CEO
Our Vision
Cushing is a caring intergenerational community where people live full and meaningful lives at home, at work, at school and at play.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities are provided supports to achieve independence, and fulfilling relationships - while honoring Cushing’s founding values of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and Richard Cardinal Cushing, whose extraordinary vision encompasses all people, all faiths and all abilities.
Our Values
Community
We respect the strengths of each person and foster caring relationships, kindness and friendship.
Creativity
We encourage independent thinking, learning, and initiatives that result in inclusive solutions.
Stewardship
We consistently oversee and improve our organization to ensure its longevity for future generations.
Accountability
We strive to efficiently use resources to improve services and systems.
Our Impact
Cardinal Cushing Centers has changed countless lives - from the thousands of exceptional individuals they’ve served with care and compassion, to the endless members of the greater community who have championed our mission since being founded in 1947.
at our 2023 Springtime Gala
Our Opportunity Fund Exceeded our budgeted goal, bringing in over
from 642 donations and 438 donors.
for auditorium renovations/Cushing Performing Arts Program
2022/23 Year in Review
Neighborhood News
Updated Every Fiscal Year
Our MarketPlace building, a 20,000-square-foot, environmentally friendly building that houses the Cushing Café, Take 2 thrift store, and Unique Boutique gift shop, continues to thrive. The Greenhouse has also experienced wonderful growth, including an expanded garden that produces food for our Café and culinary programs. Our farm-to-table practices are enhancing our efforts to be a more environmentally friendly organization.
Due to the success of our formalized major gifts program, we have been able to take on several capital projects.
- Construction renovation in the auditorium is scheduled for July completion, with detail finish work and the new multi-purpose space being ready for use by September 2023.
- Demolition and construction work for the Washington Street adult residence began in the summer.
- The entrance driveways, basketball court, and recreation area have new pavement, and the parking areas and track have been seal-coated.
- Generators have been installed in our residential homes, heating and air conditioning are being replaced, and exterior painting is planned.
- The Braintree St. Coletta Day School has a new sensory room and updated paint and carpeting throughout the building.
Fundraising Success
Last Updated: 05/15/2024
Our formalized Major Gifts program has realized great success, including:
$20,000 for repairs and renovations to our Greenhouse.
$50,000 for upgrades to our track, basketball courts, and recreation area.
$500,000 raised to date to rebuild the Washington Street adult residence.
$900,000 from a family - $800,000 to replace all of the windows in the Leonard Florence Education Center and $100,000 to repave and repair the entryway to Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover.
$1 million from a family - $200,000 for the auditorium renovations and $800,000 for stipends for our adult services’ staff.
Adults Using
Cushing Services
Students Using
Cushing Services
Cushing Centers Employees
Lives Positively
Affected
Countless
Partnerships
We are working with Ian Norrie, a Cushing alumni, on a collaboration to create employment training programs to harvest organic cranberries on 2 proposed 10-acre cranberry bogs. Students, adult participants, and staff have had several visits to see bog operations and participate in the harvest.
We had more than 50 athletes participate in 2023 Special Olympics Summer Games.
Our Braintree St. Coletta Day School offered weekly music therapy through a partnership with Sing, Explore, Create, a Rockland-based center for music therapy, education, and wellness.
Organization Excellence
We were able to provide our employees stipends for their continued commitment.
Jacquie Collins of Partnering for Performance led a leadership development series with a small group of Directors and Assistant Directors. The series, Partnering for Performance, ran through April 2023. Focus was on leadership competencies – Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Organization.
We continue to look at our land assets strategically and have hired Architectural Resources (ARC) to complete a master plan that looks at how our real estate assets can be used to further the goals of our organization’s strategic plan.
Our History
Honoring our bright past; Building a bold future.
Richard Cardinal Cushing identified the need for “exceptional” children to have a place where they could learn, grow, thrive and achieve successes. In 1947, 35 students entered the doors of what was then called St. Coletta by the Sea.
Since then, thousands of children and adults have enrolled at Cushing - to discover their talents, nurture their passions, and lead remarkable lives in communities where all ages and all abilities can come together.
Rooted In Tradition
At the Cardinal Cushing Centers, our commitment to individuals of all ages, all faiths, and all abilities is grounded in the founding values of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and Richard Cardinal Cushing.
The Portiuncula Chapel
The Portiuncula Chapel, on the grounds of Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover, Massachusetts, is Cardinal Richard Cushing's final resting place. He desired to be laid to rest close to his beloved exceptional children.
Timeline
1947
Richard Cardinal Cushing purchases approximately 175 acres of land in Hanover, Massachusetts, to found a school for “exceptional” children.
1947
Five sisters from the Sisters of Saint Francis Of Assisi of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (noted for its expertise in working with intellectually disabled children), honor the Cardinal’s request to relocate from the Midwest in order to co-found and run St. Coletta by the Sea, the first school of its kind in the Northeast.
October 15, 1947
St. Coletta by the Sea in Hanover opens, providing residences and classrooms for thirty-five children. With five sisters and three employees, the school provides academic studies and life skills training.
October 31, 1953
The Portiuncula Chapel, which will ultimately become the final resting place of Cardinal Cushing, is dedicated.
1954
The Cardinal acquires one small residential home and some property abutting the Hanover campus to allow for increased student enrollment.
1955
The Hanover campus is re-named St. Coletta School, Inc.
1956
Enrollment is at 142 residential students and 10 day students in Hanover. The Cardinal procures a donation from the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation for the construction of a residential dormitory on the Hanover campus. The dormitory on the Hanover campus is dedicated.
1957
The Cardinal donates approximately five acres of land in Braintree and the St. Colletta Day School opens, with six students under the direction of Sister Johanna Flanagan.
1967
Superintendent Sister Shawn Dunn hires John Shyne, Jr. to establish a vocational education center, operated in conjunction with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
1970
Richard Cardinal Cushing dies, ending more than 20 years of ongoing commitment to the two schools and the children they served. He is buried in the Portiuncula Chapel overlooking the Hanover campus.
1971
The official name changes to Cardinal Cushing School and Training Center in tribute to the late Cardinal and his immeasurable contributions.
1979
Groundbreaking for the Knights of Columbus-funded culinary arts center.
1981
Mr. Shyne receives a HUD grant to build the Cushing Residence on the Hanover campus, a facility of 148 apartments for low-income senior citizens. The seniors in time became connected to Cardinal Cushing School and Training Center, participating in bingo nights and the Iron Kettle restaurant.
1991
Adult (22+) programs initiated in Hanover and Weymouth, focused on providing residential and vocational options.
2000
The umbrella organization is re-named Cardinal Cushing Centers, Inc.
2004
11 six-bedroom residential units, designed with the “feel” of a traditional family home, open on the Hanover campus.
2005
A 3,000-square-foot recreation center designed to host a variety of enriching activities for students, residents, and the community opens on the Hanover campus.
2009
The first Life Opportunities Unlimited Program (LOU) opens in Braintree.
2010
Cushing Centers receives its first three-year certification from CARF, The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
2012
The second Life Opportunities Unlimited Program (LOU) opens in Hanover.
2013
The Adult Family Care Program opens and Cushing receives its second three-year certification from CARF.
2013
Springtime Gala moves to the Seaport Hotel, Boston, to accommodate a growing number of guests, along with a fashion show, music, and auctions.
2015
Opened 3 new residences in Manomet, Scituate and Marshfield - totalling 12 residences.
2018
In partnership with the Planning Office of Urban Affairs, Cardinal Cushing Centers converted one of their former dormitories and underutilized buildings into 37 units of workforce housing, now known as the Bethany Apartments.
2020
The COVID pandemic leads to classes being taught remotely, followed by students being placed in Cohorts, with a hybrid model of both remote and in-person learning - along with outdoor learning spaces at both school locations.
2020
The MarketPlace Building opens - a 20,000 square foot, environmentally friendly building that houses the Cushing Café, Take Two thrift store, and Unique Boutique gift shop, along with state-of-the-art training classrooms. This row of storefronts works toward the vision of creating an integrated neighborhood where people with and without disabilities live, work, learn, shop, and socialize together.
2021
Industrial Arts program opened for students and adults - working with wood and other raw materials, which are sold in Unique Boutique.
2023
Auditorium renovation completed, allowing a multi-use space for meetings, performing arts, and community events. Hanover driveways, parking lots, basketball court and track resurfaced/repaved.
2024
New windows in Hanover School building, thanks to a $800,000 donation. New Washington St. residence built in Hanover.
Take The Next Step
Think Cushing may be right for your loved one? Schedule a tour to visit and learn more.