Cusack Care Center
Cusack Care Center
537 Pavonia Ave.,
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Tel: 201.653.8300

When I was growing up in Union City it seemed that everybody knew about the “home that
the Sisters built”, the big red
brick building just behind
the courthouse.

Everyone knew the story: how it was founded by a group of nuns to provide love, dignity and respect to all in their care—regardless of their ability
to pay.

At the time, I never imagined that long-term health care would become my passion, and that 30 years of experience would lead me here—where I would be honored by the Board of Trustees and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace to carry on their historic work.

I wonder if 100 years ago, those nuns could ever have imagined what their dream would become: this new state-of-the-art facility where our elderly residents and their families come together to celebrate life.

We celebrate it everyday: through fun activities and parties, community outings, social events or quiet time with a grandchild and a book.

I invite you to come and see the love, laughter and life that thrives here in the “home that the sisters built.”

We’d love to see you.

Thomas P. Sheehy, Jr.
CEO

Our mission is simple: to provide love, dignity and respect to all in our care. This is a legacy that extends back over a hundred years - and is reflected in every inch of our new facility. You can see it in the faces of our staff, our residents and their families. We are a vibrant community where 139 residents and their loved ones gather here to share their lives together. We invite you to learn more : take our tour or call us at 201.653.8300 to come visit and see our home for yourself!
Our History
Our heritage dates back to 1884, when Mother Clare (our very own Margaret Anna Cusack and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace) first came to these shores, seeking to help poor Irish women fleeing their famine-stricken homeland.

Serving the Blind
After successfully establishing her mission to help the women, Margaret Anna turned to helping the blind. In that time, the Blind were ostracized from society; either cast out onto the streets or living in isolation. She believed that the Blind were just like everyone else, deserving full and productive lives. Starting with 4 simple frame houses on our site, she focused on setting up a Home where the Blind men and women, adults and children would be cared for and taught how to be independent. This began with the Sisters identifying occupations that would enable the Blind to achieve financial independence and build self-esteem. The Nun's travels took them from Boston's Perkins Institute (where they learned broom and mattress making, caning and embroidery) to the prison in Trenton (where they learned mat-making and hemp weaving.) The Sisters then set up workshops in the Home, where the Blind could learn and practice these skills to not only receive the financial rewards, but also the increased self-esteem that arises from feeling self-sufficient.

The Word Spreads
Word quickly spread, passed along by grateful families and the local community. People flocked to join their mission. In 1900, the 5-story "St. Joseph's Home for the Blind" was erected. The population continued to swell, requiring the addition of another wing (nearly doubling the size of the Home) in 1915. Soon after, the Sisters had to open St. Joseph's School for the Blind, in order to meet the needs of the large number of children in their care.

Saving the Family
By the early 1970's the Sisters realized that the special needs of the Home's aging family required them to make a difficult decision: either they had to "break up the family" by transferring the residents to nursing home... or somehow keep their family intact by learning to take care of their own. Looking to the fearless example of Margaret Anna, they set out to obtain the skills and personnel needed to become a licensed skilled care nursing facility. The home thrived as word spread that the heritage of providing love, dignity and respect was now available to all. St. Joseph's Home for the Blind quickly grew to become one of the top non-profit facilities in the state of New Jersey.

Beginning Anew: the Margaret Anna Cusack Care Center
Shortly before the new Millennium, we realized that it was time for a change. Narrow rooms and hallways designed for sightless hands, not wheelchairs, must give way to broad corridors and colorful light-filled spaces. We embarked on a plan so ambitious, Margaret Anna would surely have approved: add 64,000 square feet and incorporate the latest advances in medical technology, without overwhelming the beauty and grace of our original structure. Enlist the aid of our grateful families and local community to help us raise the $22 million needed. In October 2002, the Margaret Anna Cusack Care Center at the Historic St. Joseph's Home for the Blind was dedicated. Our second century of caring was now underway!

The Care Center Today
We are a vibrant community with 139 residents and their families gathering here to share their lives together.

We know that you are far more than just the sum of your physical needs. You also want to be intellectually active, to do the things you enjoy and to be part of a caring community. You also have spiritual needs, (regardless of your belief system) where you will seek peace of mind.

This is what underlies our approach to Caring - a deep understanding that every person needs to be considered as a complete human being, with a full range of wants and needs. That's why our caring addresses all of your needs: whether they are of the body, the mind or the spirit.

Comprehensive Services
We offer a complete range of medical services. This begins with our experienced attending physicians and skilled nurses. These professionals are supported by our network of medical specialists and physical, occupational and speech therapists.

Creating Your Care Plan
Your Resident Care Plan is a comprehensive document that addresses the unique needs of your body, mind and spirit. Your Care Plan is created by a multidisciplinary team that consists of you, our care professionals and your family.

We cannot stress how vital your family is to this process - their perspective is invaluable.

Once the plan is in place, regular meetings are held with you and your family to measure how well your needs are being met and what we can do to serve you better.

Our pastoral care team is available whenever and wherever help is needed. Regardless of your personal religious belief, you and your family are invited to seek them out for comfort and support or have your own pastor or Rabbi come visit.

Our team's mission at the Care Center includes regular religious services held in our beautiful Mary Chapel, located just off the first-floor lobby. The chapel, which contains stained glass from our original 1900's chapel, is also open to anyone seeking a place for quiet reflection and relaxation.

Our recreational professionals provide a full range of activities for residents of all levels and interests. Even residents with cognitive impairments participate in our innovative therapy programs, which use familiar sounds and sensations to soothe troubled spirits.

Family Events
Our busy community has a year-round schedule of events that welcome you and your family. These include:

• Holiday Parties (everything from
St. Patrick's Day to Christmas)
• Monthly Birthday Parties
• Special Outings
• Seasonal Events
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