Who We Are
The Carmel Connection Foundation (CCF) supports the present and future students of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Asbury Park, NJ.
We are a non-profit corporation established to support the financial needs of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. Our main objective is funding a multi-million dollar endowment to support both our inner-city and immigrant youth for many years to come.
100 Years & Beyond!
Mount Carmel School was established in 1923 for the Italian immigrant families that settled in the Asbury Park area, struggling to achieve their American dream. OLMC evolved to support other ethnic minorities that took up residence nearby. Today the student population is mostly from low-income Hispanic families struggling with the same objective. A quality education for their children is necessary to enable their future success. Beginning in 1923 and continuing now for almost 100 years, Mt. Carmel has educated thousands of students and is currently maintaining an enrollment of about 200 well-motivated students in grades K-8.
Our brand story:
There is a big heart within the walls of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. The love present there to help all students in many ways is something to be admired. This loving and caring does not stop with the school, the foundation exists for the same reasons…to help the students.
Just like Mt. Carmel School, the Carmel Connection Foundation lends a hand to help lift up the school and its students. Our logo is two lending hands—the school and the foundation—coming together with our benefactors to form a heart graphic. The helping hands together now form our giving heart.
Where your donation helps.
Supplement tuition for our neediest families
Every family pays tuition, however, the cost of education for a child at Mt. Carmel is $5,000.00 a year. Many families making $31,000.00 or less per year cannot possibly afford the full tuition, especially if they have more than one child enrolled. Your donation allows families to continue to educate their children at Mt. Carmel School.
Provide funding for programs to support 21st century learning
Technology and Stem education among other initiatives often exceed the curriculum budget at Mt. Carmel. Your donation allows the School to update the needed equipment and computer programming to keep abreast of 21st century learning.
Help ease the burden of facility upkeep
The current school building was built in 1963 after the school grew out of the original building on Bangs Ave. The cost to keep the building clean, up-to-date, and operating efficiently continues to rise which puts an additional strain on the school budget.
Support a robust After School program
Mt. Carmel provides an in-depth after school program for students from Kindergarten through grade 8. The students are provided snack, homework help and numerous options for enrichment classes. In Fall of 2019 (pre-covid) the students were offered 51 classes for enrichment.
“The impact you have on children
lasts a lifetime.”
About Our Lady
of Mount Carmel
Today, OLMC School continues to serve 196 students. The number of families that live below the poverty level in Asbury Park (28.6%) is more than triple the national average (9.4%). The average family income of $31,000 for an OLMC family falls well below the median household income of $55,000 for the area. 100% of the OLMC students qualify for free breakfast and lunch under the federal lunch program guidelines.
We believe that our students will become engaged Christians and conscientious citizens of our world- by being socially minded, independent thinkers and followers of Jesus who recognize their responsibility in bringing about an equitable future for all.
OLMC’s Mission Statement
We walk by faith.
We learn without end.
We care for and treasure all.
We are the family of God.
Testimonials
CCF Board of Trustees
Timothy Andree Sr. - President
Sr. Jude Catherine Boyce, SSJ - Treasurer
Laureen Andree - Secretary
Peter Abitanto
Brother Frank Byrne, CFC
Paul McEvily
Fr. Stephen Michael, SVD
Katie O’Meara
Gail Slevin
Kat Verdi
Get in touch
The Carmel Connection Foundation would enjoy hearing from anyone who would like more information. Please email the foundation or call the phone number to speak with our development director and treasurer, Sr. Jude.
