Marian Center History

The history of the Marian Center is based on courage, vision, determination, and great faith. These characteristics continue to be the foundation of the day-to-day services to countless children and adults with Developmental Disabilities. The history of the school begins with a group of very special Sisters, who in 1963 left their homeland, their families, their motherhouse, on an adventure, which has born fruit beyond imagination.

He quickly contacted Mother General and requested that the congregation establish a school in Miami, Florida. His letter arrived in Torino, Italy, in January 1963. In June 1963, the Mother General and Sr. Lucia Ceccotti, general secretary, visited Miami. The visit proved providential. They experienced the summer heat of Miami. They saw, they discussed, they planned. Names of Sisters began to come to mind, and upon return to Italy, the chosen Sisters and their families were asked if they would accept to share the vision and to create the Marian Center.

Sister Lucia Ceccotti and ten sisters arrived in Miami in the late evening of October 21, 1963. They carried their few belongings, mostly packed in lightweight, homemade sacks. Since the Marian Center did not exist, the Sisters were taken to a small house on Fletcher Street, Hollywood. Within two weeks, Sister Lucia and another two sisters were off for their driving tests! Courageously, they learned their way around. Even shopping in this new country was an experience. By the second week of November, the Sisters were already enrolled in a course for foreign students at Barry University. By studying full-time for a while, and then, part-time during summers and evenings, all the Sisters, few by few, received their American degrees.

The forty-five acres of property belonging to the Archdiocese of Miami is part of the 200 acres that was zoned in 1961 for schools. The Convent, the first building on the property, was dedicated in June 1964, just eight months after the Sisters arrival. Marian Center friends and benefactors, Mrs. Mary Louise Maytag McCahill and architect, Mr. Thomas Madden, were key instruments of Divine Providence for the construction. The Sisters moved from their little house in Hollywood to Opa-Locka, today Miami Gardens. The property consisted of the convent, wild grass, and mountains of trash. There they found everything from old refrigerators, ranges, and mattresses, to broken chairs and glass. Let's not forget the wild animals, skunks and snakes!

The Sisters moved in, and with determination and hard work began the clean up immediately. Sister Lucia interviewed families. Classrooms were prepared in the convent. The first students were accepted. The Marian Center had begun.

Incorporated in October 1963, the "Marian School for Exceptional Children: (as the Marian Center was called at that time) opened its doors in September 1964, as planned, for the education, training, and housing of people with developmental disability. The first forty students ranged in age from 2 to 14. The degree of developmental disabilities ranged from low-moderate to mild. Since that time, facilities and services have expanded to meet the ongoing needs of the population served.

The School building was dedicated in March 1965. In 1967, a pool house and two special swimming pools were built. The next year, 1968, the Multi-Purpose building was finished and dedicated. By 1971. the Cottage was opened, and in 1979, the Adult Day Training Program, then known as the Workshop, started.

In the School Year of 1984-1985, the Florida Catholic Conference accredited The Marian Center. It was reaccredited in 1992-1993, and with the new School Improvement Program in 2006. In 1993, the Supported Employment Program was developed.

The Marian Center School was part of this process. The School Program offered functional, academic programs in a classroom setting with emphasis on the acquisition of vocational and community living skills.

At an early age, students were introduced to the concept of work by accepting responsibility in a classroom and residential unit. The Marian Center today includes: a fully accredited school for students ages 6-21, an adult day training and work program, and a full-time residential cottage for women.

Each of these programs welcomes students of all races, religions, and backgrounds and may provide partial or full financial aid to all those who qualify - currently over 80% of the student population receives some form of assistance. The Sisters have always worked with a large group of highly qualified and trained staff members who have helped keep their vision alive. "This was our call", says Sister Lucia, "God, through the Church in Miami and the Archbishop's voice, called us. And we believed in the call and followed it."

The present difficult financial situation impacts many of the families who want to send their children to the Marian Center. Today, with the help of Divine Providence, after many difficulties and the threat of closing the Center for financial instability, the Sisters and staff continue to emphasize academic education, basic survival and daily living skills, independence, love, support, and above all, Christian values. Greatest efforts are made to instill in the students the awareness of basic religious truths, but above all the security of a loving Father who provides for us and loves us immensely.

The Marian Center is a non-profit (501c3) organization that relies on the support of caring individuals, civic groups, businesses, and philanthropic foundations to carry out its meaningful work. Each moment of Marian Center History - whether a new building or a new program - can be traced back to financial donations that made those moments possible. Every day, in every way, new levels are reached and potential tapped, because donors continue their support to the Marian Center.