News and Events
Mount Saint John Receives Ronald McDonald House Grant
The Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut & Western Massachusetts awarded Mount Saint John, in Deep River, a $3,895 grant, in support of its Vocational Enrichment programs. Funds will purchase supplies for Art Enrichment, Culinary, Horticulture and Building Trades classes. Students who participate in these programs develop real-life job readiness skills which enable them to find employment. Here Ms. Lizabeth Haskos, Ronald McDonald House Charities Board member, shares the good news with Mount Saint John Executive Director Doug DeCerbo and student Justin S.
August 2011 Mount Saint John Recognized for Excellence
Mount Saint John, Deep River CT, recently received a four year re-accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA). The COA is an independent not-for-profit international accreditor of community-based behavioral health care and human service organizations.
The COA has identified Mount Saint John as having set high performance standards for themselves and have made a commitment to their constituents to deliver the highest quality services.
“This is something for the entire agency to be proud of and is a significant achievement that will position us for new future opportunities” said Doug DeCerbo, Executive Director for Mount Saint John.
Pictured above are: Ms. Erika McCormack, Clinical Treatment Services Administrative Assistannt, sharing the good news about the organization’s achievement with students (from left) Erik G. and Julio V.
June 2011 - Mount Saint John’s gymnasium was filled with students, their family members, staff, volunteers and community visitors for the organization’s recent annual Day of Excellence.
Each year, Mount Saint John honors select young men, between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age, for their service to others, personal growth, achievement and for overcoming personal barriers to success.
A clear stand-out in the ceremony was Richie R. In addition to earning his High School Diploma, he received Mount Saint John’s highest award, the MacDonald Medal for service above self and setting a positive example for others. Richie is now living and working in his home community in Stamford CT and is interested in pursuing a career in the theatre.
“This Day of Excellence is a way for us to recognize our young men who have worked very hard acquiring the necessary social, educational and job readiness skills to be successful when they return to community”, explained Doug DeCerbo executive director of Mount Saint John.
Photo above… Mount Saint John graduate Richie R. received his High School diploma at the organization’s recent Day of Excellence. Congratulating Richie for his achievements are Ms. Kathy White, School Principal and Mr. Doug DeCerbo, Executive Director.
Mount Saint John Event Celebrates Success
Mount Saint John’s (MSJ) second annual, Let’s Hear It For The Boys, held recently in Haddam drew over 200 quests and raised more than $34,400. All proceeds will benefit the organization’s Vocational Enrichment Programs for young men. The evening included a dinner, prizes, live auction and presentations from MSJ Alumni. Pictured above are (from left) Doug DeCerbo, Executive Director for MSJ, Richelle Nelsen, the event’s Volunteer Chairperson, Paul Truglio, MSJ Board Member and Senior VP for Citizens Bank the event’s Presenting Sponsor and Daprice Keys, MSJ 2010 Alumni who shared his personal experiences and the positive impact MSJ had on his life.
Let’s Hear It For The Boys
Generously supported by:
CITIZEN BANK
Two Star Sponsors
Beacon Pharmacy
The Clark Group
Essex Savings Bank
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Cheryl Deknatel
PCI Medical
Rachel Thomas Realty
Robinson Wright & Weymer Funeral Home
United International Corporation
One Star Sponsors
Archambault Insurance, Inc.
Bank of England
Brown Jacobson P.C.
Computer Systems Integration
Controlled Air, Inc.
Diastole Wealth Management
Edge Technology Services
Finkeldey B.M.J., Inc.
Greenwald Industries
Middletown Plate Glass
Spa of Essex
Wheelabrator Inc.
In-Kind Donors
Printed Materials
donated by Essex Printing
Newspaper Display Ads donated by The Valley Courier
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Mount Saint John Welcomes New Board Members
Deep River, February 2011, Mount Saint John Executive Director, Douglas DeCerbo, (left), welcomes new volunteer Board members Quentin Phipps, of Guilford Savings Bank and resident of Middletown and Maureen O’Grady, of Rachel Thomas Realty, and resident of Old Lyme. They are pictured here touring of one of the agency’s living quarters, recently renovated by donor contributions that will house a new Transitional Living program. The new program prepares young men to live independently in the community. The new volunteers, Mr. Phipps and Ms. O’Grady, are part if a nineteen member Board of Directors that governs Mount Saint John’s residential treatment, educational, vocational and life-skill services for young men and their families.
January 2011 – Mount Saint John’s fundraising focus is to raise the final $9,130 needed to complete two renovation projects. Mount Saint John Executive Director, Doug DeCerbo speaking with students (from left) Bryan G. and Ja’Quan S. in one of the organization’s newly renovated classrooms, made possible by donor support. Mount Saint John’s fundraising goal for this year is to raise enough money to:
- Renovate every classroom in the school
- Open a second Transitional Living Program.
With corporate gifts and foundation grants received providing over half of the funds needed; Mount Saint John is now just $9,130 away from reaching its goal and completing both projects. The organizations needs donations from the community to complete restorations on all 15 classrooms, last renovated 21 years ago, and finish renovations for a second Transitional Living Program. The Transitional Living Program prepares young men to live independently in the community. All the routine chores, responsibilities and skills that living independently requires are part of the experience for the young men enrolled in the Transitional Living Program. In addition to completing these two projects, individual donations will enable all Mount Saint John young men present and future, to learn the skills they need to build a better life and achieve success.
On Saturday, October 16th 2010 the 3rd Annual Fall Festival took place at Mount Saint John.
Bryan G., Mount Saint John student and Ms. Helen Iaccarino, of Branford (holding scarecrow) provided the materials and know- how for visitors to build their own scarecrow during Mount Saint John’s 3rd Annual Fall Festival, held last weekend on the school’s campus in Deep River. The Festival also featured classic cars, antique fire trucks, a tag sale, BBQ, bake sale and tours of the school.
Deep River, August 2010 – Mount Saint John students volunteer to Keep Community Clean. Part of each young man’s program goals at Mount Saint John includes volunteering in the community. Each week a team of students, assisted by staff pick up litter along Kirtland and neighboring streets in Deep River. Pictured above are (from left) Anthony B. and Manny R.
Deep River, July 2010 – Mount Saint John’s Executive Assistant, Vicki McKenney (seated) with young men (from left) Jeremia and Anthony as they volunteer at Riverview Lodge in Deep River as part of their annual open house. The young men were responsible for youth arts and crafts as Mount Saint John strives to bring them into the community and foster volunteer skills and community service.
Deep River, June 2010 – Over 230 guests joined students & staff recently for Mount Saint John’s annual Community Day of Excellence, Celebration & Awards Ceremony.
Awards were presented to select staff, faculty and volunteers for exemplary service and leadership. Mark Waters, Mount Saint John alumni class of 1978, was the guest speaker.
“This Day of Excellence is a way for us to say thank you to those who make it possible for our young men to acquire the necessary skills to be successful upon the return to their communities”, explained Doug DeCerbo, executive director of Mount Saint John. “It is also a time to recognize our young men between the ages of 13 and 18, who have earned awards for their service to others, personal growth & achievement and overcoming barriers to success”.
The most exciting moment of the ceremony belonged to Daprice K. In addition to earning his High School Diploma, he received Mount Saint John’s highest award, the MacDonald Medal for service above self and setting a positive example for others.
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Mount Saint John Welcomes New Board Members
Deep River, February 2011, Mount Saint John Executive Director, Douglas DeCerbo, (left), welcomes new volunteer Board members Quentin Phipps, of Guilford Savings Bank and resident of Middletown and Maureen O’Grady, of Rachel Thomas Realty, and resident of Old Lyme. They are pictured here touring of one of the agency’s living quarters, recently renovated by donor contributions that will house a new Transitional Living program. The new program prepares young men to live independently in the community. The new volunteers, Mr. Phipps and Ms. O’Grady, are part if a nineteen member Board of Directors that governs Mount Saint John’s residential treatment, educational, vocational and life-skill services for young men and their families.
January 2011 – Mount Saint John’s fundraising focus is to raise the final $9,130 needed to complete two renovation projects. Mount Saint John Executive Director, Doug DeCerbo speaking with students (from left) Bryan G. and Ja’Quan S. in one of the organization’s newly renovated classrooms, made possible by donor support. Mount Saint John’s fundraising goal for this year is to raise enough money to:
- Renovate every classroom in the school
- Open a second Transitional Living Program.
With corporate gifts and foundation grants received providing over half of the funds needed; Mount Saint John is now just $9,130 away from reaching its goal and completing both projects. The organizations needs donations from the community to complete restorations on all 15 classrooms, last renovated 21 years ago, and finish renovations for a second Transitional Living Program. The Transitional Living Program prepares young men to live independently in the community. All the routine chores, responsibilities and skills that living independently requires are part of the experience for the young men enrolled in the Transitional Living Program. In addition to completing these two projects, individual donations will enable all Mount Saint John young men present and future, to learn the skills they need to build a better life and achieve success.
On Saturday, October 16th 2010 the 3rd Annual Fall Festival took place at Mount Saint John.
Bryan G., Mount Saint John student and Ms. Helen Iaccarino, of Branford (holding scarecrow) provided the materials and know- how for visitors to build their own scarecrow during Mount Saint John’s 3rd Annual Fall Festival, held last weekend on the school’s campus in Deep River. The Festival also featured classic cars, antique fire trucks, a tag sale, BBQ, bake sale and tours of the school.
Deep River, August 2010 – Mount Saint John students volunteer to Keep Community Clean. Part of each young man’s program goals at Mount Saint John includes volunteering in the community. Each week a team of students, assisted by staff pick up litter along Kirtland and neighboring streets in Deep River. Pictured above are (from left) Anthony B. and Manny R.
Deep River, July 2010 – Mount Saint John’s Executive Assistant, Vicki McKenney (seated) with young men (from left) Jeremia and Anthony as they volunteer at Riverview Lodge in Deep River as part of their annual open house. The young men were responsible for youth arts and crafts as Mount Saint John strives to bring them into the community and foster volunteer skills and community service.
Deep River, June 2010 – Over 230 guests joined students & staff recently for Mount Saint John’s annual Community Day of Excellence, Celebration & Awards Ceremony.
Awards were presented to select staff, faculty and volunteers for exemplary service and leadership. Mark Waters, Mount Saint John alumni class of 1978, was the guest speaker.
“This Day of Excellence is a way for us to say thank you to those who make it possible for our young men to acquire the necessary skills to be successful upon the return to their communities”, explained Doug DeCerbo, executive director of Mount Saint John. “It is also a time to recognize our young men between the ages of 13 and 18, who have earned awards for their service to others, personal growth & achievement and overcoming barriers to success”.
The most exciting moment of the ceremony belonged to Daprice K. In addition to earning his High School Diploma, he received Mount Saint John’s highest award, the MacDonald Medal for service above self and setting a positive example for others.