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HISTORY
Over three centuries, in Greater New York and with countless
unselfish caregivers, Rosalie Hall is a welcoming light for
young women in need.
On September 1, 1887, five Misericordia Sisters arrived in
Staten Island to assist in caring for women in a maternity
shelter for the poor. They subsequently moved to Harlem, and
ultimately purchased land on 86th Street in then-rural
Yorkville. It became their permanent home.
In spite of myriad obstacles and shortages, the Sisters
ministered to hundreds of young women, providing a clean place
to stay and whatever medicine and food they could muster. But
there was never a shortage of compassion.
By 1893, 717 unwed mothers had been given free service, along
with state of the art general medical and surgical services of
the era.
In 1905, to reflect the level of needs being met and women
served, the home acquired the name Misericordia Hospital. By
1950, it was the second-largest Catholic hospital in the New
York City!
By 1958, Misericordia moved to its present location in the
Bronx. The new Rosalie Hall would care for 28 residents
including a high school diploma program as well as high school
equivalency program. Sponsorship was transferred to the
Archdiocese of New York in 1976.
Today Rosalie Hall is a thriving center of support for
pregnant and parenting teens and their families. Young women
receive essential services, of course, but care extends far
beyond a warm meal, a clean bed and shelter from the elements.
There are no bounds to the emotional support and understanding
provided at Rosalie Hall, from a large group of professional
social services experts, medical personnel, counselors and
caring Sisters who work tirelessly to help young women in
need. We also provide services to families in the communities
who are not in need of residential services. We are also
dedicated to issues of prevention of early pregnancies and
foster care as well.
ABOUT US
Rosalie Hall is a haven, a sanctuary, and a welcoming retreat
providing a world of care during and after pregnancy for young
women. Named for Rosalie Cadron-JettÈ, born in the late
18th Century, mother of 11 children and a certified midwife
who dedicated her later years to caring for expectant mothers
and their babies, Rosalie Hall embraces any young woman in
need of support, counseling, comfort and understanding in time
of need.
Operated in conjunction with the Archdiocese of New York,
young women are funded in the residence by the New York State
Office of Children and Family Services, the New York City
Administration for Children's Services and the Misericordia
Sisters of Montreal.
The philosophy of the Misericordia Sisters is to give care,
understanding, acceptance, direction and guidance to the young women in their care; to help the young woman grow in
self-knowledge and appreciation of her worth; and to aid her
to form better and more realistic goals for her future and her
infant's future.
BIOS
Valerie
Moore O’Keeffe is currently the chairperson of Rosalie
Hall. In addition to her leadership at Rosalie Hall she is
also the Town Supervisor and Councilwoman for the Town of
Mamaroneck as well as a certified Attorney in the State of New
York. Mrs. O’Keeffe has been an active member of several local
committees in the Westchester area such as: The Westchester
Joint Water Works Committee, The Westchester Municipal
Officials Association, the AASH Alumni Organization and the
Westchester Holocaust Education Center. Additionally, she has
served as a trustee for both Manhattanville College and the
Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Mrs.
O’Keeffe has been awarded several honors in the past ten years
such as the Angela Award from the Ursuline Social Outreach
Adult Learning Center, the Distinguished Alumna Award from
Manhattanville College, the Outstanding Alumna Award from the
Convent of the Sacred Heart and, most recently, the Sunny
Award from the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Cable TV Station in 2003.
In addition
to all of her professional achievements, Mrs. O’Keeffe has 2
children along with 4 grandchildren and a loving husband.
Sister Diane
Prusinski
was born in the South Bronx. She
graduated from St. Angela Merici Grammar School and Mother
Cabrini High School. She entered the Misericordia Sisters in
1959.
Sister Diane graduated from Marquette University, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin and received her MBA from Xavier University in
Cincinnati, Ohio. Sister Diane served as Hospital
Administrator of St. Mary's Hospital in Green Bay, and
subsequently was Associate Administrator in Elmbrook Memorial
in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Sister Diane became Executive Director of Rosalie Hall in
1981. She stepped aside to be President of Rosalie Hall in
2004. She continues to conduct fund raising and assist with
finances at Rosalie Hall. She has the blessing of praying with
the young residents.
A message from Sister Diane.
Hello: Welcome to Rosalie Hall Website.
We are pleased to explain to you the Mission of the
Misericordia Sisters. “Compassion of the Heart for those in
Need”, which is lived each day at Rosalie Hall, New York.
Please feel free to lend your prayers and support to the noble
young women and their babies whom we serve.
Our grateful prayers are with you for your interest in seeking
information about our services.
Sister Diane
Prusinski
President
 Steven Parker,
DSW, LCSW-R,
has an extensive background in providing services to pregnant
and parenting teens and their families. He has been Director
of Rosalie Hall since 2004, and before then served as
Associate Director, Assistant Director and Social Work
Supervisor. Affiliated with Rosalie Hall since 1987, Dr.
Parker has also worked for various other child welfare
institutions.
In addition to his dedication to Rosalie Hall, Dr. Parker has
also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work
at Hunter College, Adelphi University, Fordham University,
Columbia University, and New York University.
Dr. Parker was born and raised in Brooklyn, and educated in
NYC. He has a BA from Brooklyn College, an MSW from Hunter
College School of Social Work, and a DSW from Wurzweiler
School of Social Work/Yeshiva University.
Dr. Parker is committed to the mission of the Misericordia
Sisters, and
to improving the lives of young mothers and their children.
Sister Ellen Hunt was born and raised in Brooklyn. She
entered the Misericordia Sisters in 1960 and was missioned in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1962 to 1984. In addition to her
studies, her activities included 10 years as Medical
a Transcriptionist, and Child Care Worker for six years in
Marian Hall Residence. Sister Ellen then turned her studies to
Social Work. She came to New York in 1984 to work at Rosalie
Hall, and graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 1988.
Sister Ellen pursued an MSW degree at Fordham University.
During the course of her studies, she was a Social worker, and
in time became Administrative Supervisor and Assistant
Director of Rosalie Hall.
Sister Ellen is a wonderful Misericordia Sister who is deeply
committed to the
Mission of Rosalie Cadron Jette. Sister Ellen is the
embodiment of the heart and soul of
Rosalie Hall.
BOARD MEMBERS
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
Valerie Moore O'Keeffe, ESQ.
Chairperson of the Board Supervisor, Town of Mamaroneck
Kenneth Burford, ESQ
Landman, Corsi, Ballaine & Ford P.C.
John Caffrey, Private Investor
Ret.
Richard Celiberti, Senior Vice President
- Network Development
Montefiore
Medical Center
Phyllis Forde, Executive
Director
Gwendolyn Bland Daycare Center
Patrice M. Le Melle, Esq.
N.Y. Deputy Secretary of State and Counsel to the Secretary
Rev. Brian E. McWeeney, D. Min
(Prin)
Pastor
Saints John and Paul
Larchmont, NY
Mary McCooey
Jerome McDougal, Former Board
Chair 1998-2005
Banker Ret
John McKeon, Controller
Comprehensive Care Management
Eileen Mullen
Kevin D. Reilly, MD., FACOG
Director, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center
Vice- Chairman & Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics &
Gynecology
New York Medical College
Myles Ridder, President
Catholic News Publishing Company
Emeritus
Monsignor Joseph Boyd
Mrs. Edwin Mruk |
