(TRINIDAD, Colo.) — After intensive research into the needs of the Trinidad community, the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, which was built by Jesuit priests in 1907, was renovated and repurposed as the nonprofit, Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness & Community Center.
The nonprofit’s focus is on wellness along with civic and cultural programs and events, and on its website, reads: “Finally, a place for mind, body and spirit.”
As the ‘We Are Trinidad’ week came to a close on Friday, June 20, the FOX21 News Morning team welcomed Ashley DiPaola, the Director of Operations at Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness & Community Center. “Mr. Jay Cimino purchased [the property] and turned it into the wonderful nonprofit it is today, and we opened our doors in 2011,” DiPaola said.
According to DiPaola, the nonprofit has been a huge addition to the community of Trinidad.
“We have a tight-knit community, it’s like a family here,” she said.
Kevin Shaughnessy, President and CEO at Phil Long Dealerships, joined DiPaola later in the morning to present a $10,000 check as part of the company’s donation to Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness & Community Center made possible through its “Thanks, Jay” Giveback Campaign.
“Jay Cimino is known throughout Southern Colorado as being both a car dealer and philanthropist, and Jay led Phil Long Dealerships for 49 years. He came to our company in 1975 and led us until 2024 when he passed away,” Shaughnessy said.
According to Shaughnessy, as a way to recognize Cimino’s legacy, Phil Long Dealerships started the “Thanks, Jay” Giveback Campaign, which, during the month of April, for every car they sold, a donation was made to five local charities.
“What Ashley and the Mt. Carmel community center here in Trinidad do, we see first-hand the amount of good and impact they have in this community, which is very important to us as Jay’s hometown,” he said, adding that Cimino was the founder and visionary for all Mt. Carmel charities.
To learn more about the nonprofit’s offerings and events, visit the website linked above or call (719) 845-4894. Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness & Community Center is located at 911 Robinson Avenue in Trinidad.
