St. Monica’s Senior Living is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971! St. Monica’s will host a series of exciting events throughout the year in an effort to share the milestones and achievements of the last 50 years, while looking forward to future opportunities.

As St. Monica’s kicks off its 50th year, the organization invites its families, staff, volunteers, and board members past and present to recognize all that they have achieved together over the last half-century and to look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead with several exciting events:

• St. Monica’s Day – The Village of Caledonia issued a proclamation that February 1, 2021 was known as “St. Monica’s Senior Living Day.”
• Gallery Premier of The Passions Project  – A Photo Exhibit of photographer, Heidi Wagner – This event is open to our families to view the gallery being installed in our north wing on May 18th, 2021. We were so blessed to have had Heidi photograph our residents enjoying their true passions even in the midst of a pandemic.
• Cheers to 50 Years: ART | WINE | MUSIC – This event will take place on August 14th, 2021. Tickets will be sold as a fundraiser to benefit the hard-working staff of St. Monica’s. The event will feature wine tasting, art, live music, and silent auction.
• 9th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser – Our annual golf outing will be held on September 16th, 2021. This event draws over 100 golfers and several area businesses.
• A Blessed Heritage – An Anniversary Keepsake Booklet – This commemorative booklet showcases the defining moments of our home throughout the last 50 years. Included are the stories of the people who played pivotal roles in shaping our community. The booklet will be released in February 2022.

“The last 50 years have given us plenty of reasons to celebrate. As we observe this milestone, we are proud of the achievements we have made, and we look forward to the next 50 years,” said Loretta Baxter, Executive Director. “We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but one thing remains the same – the love we have for each of our residents and their families. They truly are the heart of our home.”

St. Monica’s Senior Living is an award winning, nonprofit Assisted Living and Memory Care with strong roots in the Racine community for the past 50 years, founded by The Sisters of St. Rita and managed by a local, volunteer Board of Directors. St. Monica’s was titled, “Best Senior Community” in Racine County for 4 consecutive years, is home to over 100 residents and employs over 120 workforce heroes who are dedicated to treating every resident like family.St. Monicas Senior Living is celebrating 50 years of care! Below, Sister Angelica Summer, director of pastoral care, speaks at a ceremony celebrating St. Monica’s Senior Living 50th anniversary.

We look forward to the next 50 years of serving!

Gallery Premier of The Passions Project

To celebrate the 50th anniversary, St. Monica’s Senior Living held The Passions Project Gallery premiere on May 18, 2021, in the north wing of the campus. The portrait series includes photographs of St. Monica’s residents by nationally recognized Colorado photographer and Racine native, Heidi Wagner. Wagner returned home to Wisconsin in September of 2020, to photograph 20 St. Monica’s residents pursuing their passions even during a pandemic.

This event is part of St. Monica’s 50th Jubilee Celebration. St. Monica’s was founded by the passions of 4 Sisters of St. Rita and 50 years later their passion lives on effecting so many individuals. Wagner founded The Passions Project in 2013, as a way to start changing the conversation around aging. Her photographs capture the essence of older adults doing what they love with vitality, independence and meaning. Instead of looking back at life as something that’s passed, she looks at life as an exciting time where each day has purpose.

Cheers to 50 Years

     Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at our 50th party, Cheers to 50 Years, on August 14th. This outdoor event showcased 3 of our, very talented, community members - Richard Pezanoski (Wood Sculptor), Mary Barrows (Photographer) &  Phil Koerper (Painter). Donations and proceeds from the event will be used to show appreciation to our staff of heroes throughout the year. Attendees enjoyed wine tastings, courtesy of  Kat Camera of  Broadbend Selections Inc.  The generosity of so many others truly made this event a huge success.

     Huge thank you to Maneeka Decker, Mary Jo Sullivan and Margaret Fliss for organizing the event and their generous donations. Additional thanks to the Hot Glass Shop, Johnson Financial Group, Kenosha Kingfish, Racine YMCA, Racine Zoological Society, River Bend Nature Center, Timer’s Liquor, Uncorkt, Captures by Cat Photography, Cathy & John Jacyna, Laura Kapitan, Amy Korako, Don & Diane Lisieck, and Tim Sullivan.

Racine Journal Times digital article 40th Anniversary Booklet Passions Project Press Release