When Winter Tested Us, Teamwork Carried Us Through
When winter weather swept across our senior living campuses—bringing snow, ice, and bitter cold—it didn’t slow us down. Instead, it revealed something powerful about the people who make Friendship what it is.
Before many of us even woke up, our Facilities team was already hard at work. Sidewalks were cleared. Parking lots were treated. Entrances were made safe and accessible. Their behind-the-scenes efforts ensured that residents, families, and employees could move about our campuses with confidence and peace of mind. It’s work that often goes unnoticed—but during storms like this, it becomes essential.
Inside our buildings, dedication showed up in equally meaningful ways.
Our dietary teams stepped up in extraordinary fashion—some choosing to stay overnight to make sure shifts were covered. Our Health & Rehab South dietary team-- Maria, Mirna, Pureza, and Rodel—ensured residents received warm meals and were greeted by familiar faces. Our Richfield Health Center dietary team including director Meghan, also slept over through the weekend to make sure that every resident had a full belly.
We also saw employees step up and out of their usual roles to fill in to help where needed. Folks who normally work in Home Care—like Sam and Justin—drove four-wheel-drive vehicles through snow and ice to pick up essential coworkers—making sure every shift was staffed and every role covered. Health & Rehab South Dietary Supervisor Holston shoveled out icy parking spots and snowy walkways to ensure every employee and visitor was safe. Jennifer in sales and marketing and Tam, a Home Care Nurse at Richfield stepped up to deliver meals to residents. This wasn’t about job descriptions. It was about showing up for one another and even taking on new responsibilities. Our Friendship Health and Rehab Center North concierge team—Rose, Leticia, Sybil and Meghan—became became the epicenter of ride coordination to ensure that staff were able to get in.
We want to recognize the nurses too who offered attentive care, even as the weather worsened outside. Thanks to them, daily routines continued uninterrupted, and residents never had to worry. Director of Nursing Whitney, Assistant Director of Nursing Tiffany, Unit Managers, Elizabeth, Justina and Kathryn and Wound Nurse Erin M slept over all weekend long to ensure nursing was covered without being asked.
Time and again—especially during challenging weather—they choose to stay. They choose to help. They choose teamwork. Their priority is always the same: making sure residents have everything they need and nothing to worry about. If another shift is short, none of them hesitate to step in. They ensure operations run smoothly, no matter the circumstances, and they do it with compassion, positivity and an unwavering sense of responsibility.
This is what Friendship is built on.
It’s not just cleared sidewalks or warm meals—though those matter. It’s the quiet decisions to stay late, to sleep over, to pick someone up, to say “I’ve got this” when conditions are tough. It’s teamwork in its truest form.
To every facilities worker, nurse, dietary team member, driver, and behind-the-scenes hero: thank you. Your dedication kept our community safe, cared for, and connected—and reminded us all that at Friendship, we weather every storm together.