Women’s Respite
Program Women’s Respite
ProgramVisit the Women's Respite Program website at their new home on the web.
Applications for respite programs can be downloaded by clicking on the link above.
For additional information, contact Sister Diane Gianadda at: womensrespite@franciscans-stella-niagara.org
SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAMS - 2010
May 28 to 30th - Grandmothers raising grandchildren
July 21 to 24th - Respite for low-income single moms
Plan now to attend the annual Spaghetti Dinner at St. Leo's in Amherst
Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 4:30 - 7:30pm
Pictures below from last year's dinner
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The Women's Respite Programs
Provide women in need with an opportunity for rest and renewal in a safe and comfortable environment. We serve low income single mothers, grandmothers who are raising their grandchildren, and women with cancer diagnoses who are referred by various agencies. The program is supported by grants and donations.
"Restoring Hopes, Refreshing Bodies, Renewing Spirits"
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Anniversary celebration at Stella Niagara July 26, 2008
Over 100 benefactors, sisters, and women who have attended the various programs gathered to celebrate at the Center of Renewal, Stella Niagara. Time was spent visiting with friends, sharing a picnic lunch, enjoying a slide presentation of the history of the program and culminated in the planting of a red maple tree. Just as the tree grew from a small seed, the program, begun 20 years ago by Sister Diane Gianadda, has grown to serve over 60 women each year. Sue Seagrave created a quilt that was signed by all the participants and made quilted bags as a remembrance for all those in attendance.
Response to the needs of the poor
prompted Magdalen Daemen to leave her home and move to Heythuysen to assist the
poor. Creativity in response to such needs is part of the Franciscan charism.
A ministry to low income single mothers
was begun in 1989 when Sister Diane Gianadda, a social
worker, was visiting a woman and her four children on Buffalo's East Side. The
single mother, whose husband was in jail, was attempting to entertain her small
children indoors on a hot July afternoon. "It's too dangerous for them to
play outside. Too many drug dealers," she remarked, exhausted. "How
I wish I could have just a little rest." It was then that the idea of a
"vacation" or "time away" for single mothers, The Women's
Respite Program was born.
Over 250 single mothers who bear the
responsibility of rearing their children alone, with limited financial and
emotional resources, and who are in need of rest and renewal, have attended the
four-day, overnight Women's Respite Program held at the Center of Renewal at
Stella Niagara. Many of the mothers who attend the program have never had the opportunity to spend any time away from their children,
and to take time for themselves.
All are referred by social service agencies as mothers greatly in need of a
break. This year the program is expanding to include grandmothers who are caring
for grandchildren.
The mothers enjoy swimming,
arts and
crafts, massage, trips to Artpark and Niagara Falls, a "makeover," and
time to share with other mothers over meals prepared for them. They also receive
spiritual support and encouragement through morning prayer and journaling.
The Women's Respite Program involves
individuals and groups in providing this service for mothers. The Sisters assist
in running the program and in providing hospitality and transportation. Many of
the Sisters living at Stella Niagara become prayer partners, praying for the
needs of an 
individual mother and her family and meeting with her. The program
is sponsored by the Sisters and is funded by them as well as by contributions of
generous donors, foundations, and church groups.
Women gather for grandmother's weekend 2007
