“I don’t hesitate. I jump right in if someone needs help,” says Catina Acevedo. For three years, Acevedo has worked diligently to form supportive bonds among residents and employees at the Hawthorne at St. John’s Meadows.

Acevedo says that she has always been someone “who likes a challenge and needs to be learning.” She is the type who lets the journey take her wherever it leads.

“I went to Monroe Community College for my associate’s degree in human services, but I knew I wanted to help people,” says Acevedo. She went on to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), and during that time, Acevedo says she grew “leaps and bounds.”

“My 20s were filled with milestones,” she says. “I graduated from college, I had my daughter, I got married, and I bought my first home — I knew I wanted to be a mom early on, so I was okay focusing on raising her.”

Fast forward 18 years. When Acevedo started as a program assistant at Hawthorne, she says she was in a “time of changes.” Acevedo discloses that her mother had passed away, and after 18 years as a CNA, unit secretary, and administrative assistant at a nursing home — “a change was necessary.”

“My daughter was growing into a wonderful young woman, and I reached a plateau. I knew I could learn more.”

When Acevedo saw the job listing at Hawthorne, she says she was intrigued by the “enhanced assisted living” model, so she immediately conducted her research. “I had never heard of assisted living like this before, and I thought it would be perfect for me the more I learned about it,” Acevedo says that one of the main perks she has noticed is the connections.

“They teach you in nursing not to form bonds, but that just doesn’t work for me,” she says. “With St. John’s, I have had the opportunity to form real connections with the residents and the families because it is like a little community tucked away.”

Acevedo mentions that Hawthorne’s Assisted Living Administrator Christine Caplan took her under her wing and allowed her to grow in her role. She says that “like Christine, St. John’s was there for me when I needed that life shift.”

A typical day can vary for Acevedo as she takes a hands-on approach to supporting her fellow employees. She is in charge of scheduling, but never shies away from helping out on the floor. “If someone isn’t feeling (his/her) best, we tell (him/her) to go home, and Christine and I jump in to cover, to pass meds, to have those interactions with the residents.”

“For me the residents are everything,” she says. “Of course, we all have our bad days, but I come into work, and I feel so much better than if I was at home.”

“It is so gratifying to me when the residents see me, and they just light up.”

Acevedo says that she would not be able to form as meaningful connections with the residents and families if it were not for the “amazing and enthusiastic Hawthorne team.”

“And I will say, our staff, they’re elite, they walk with smiles on their faces,” she says. “They do whatever it takes to make that resident very happy and to fulfill whatever needs that they have. They walk out of here exhausted. And I think sometimes people, a lot of people, don’t know what we do in Hawthorne.”

She says she has been taking on new challenges like learning about billing and budgeting. “Maybe it is dull to some people, but I like learning how Hawthorne functions.”

“I’m really enjoying learning from Christine and the team about how the enhanced assisted living works. I’m achieving these things that people may not realize. For me, it’s a goal. Like, yes, I accomplished it. I get it now. So now I can apply that to my everyday job. And it’s fulfilling for me. I feel like a lot of people don’t think about the, you know, nitty gritty little details.”

Acevedo says that understanding all the ins and outs helps her to be the best she can be for residents when they move into Hawthorne. “People are coming here after leaving a home they shared with a spouse for 50 plus years, their families are concerned — I get to be able to ease their minds and welcome them.”

“And the most important thing is that we communicate with the staff, the families, and our residents to build that bond so they know they can come to us.”

She adds that she has been able to form “lifelong friendships” with her peers because of the “family feel” and openness at Hawthorne. “I see these people, not just at work, but in my free time. It is cheesy,” she continues, “but I have real friends here, not just ‘work friends,’ which I am grateful for.”

“I want every employee, family member, and resident to feel that sense of family when they walk through the doors.”

She says that this happens through the “amazing programs” and “just listening to one another.” Acevedo explains that learning the perspectives of residents and employees — taking the time to listen to their stories builds the necessary bonds for “exceptional care.”

“I have met so many people and learned about different backgrounds.”

Looking to the future, Acevedo is excited for more learning opportunities and the chance to achieve more goals. “Watching my daughter move into her dorm and start college, seeing my stepson be a dad — those are my biggest accomplishments.”

“I am blessed to have been able to prioritize watching my daughter blossom into this very strong, independent, encouraging, helpful, so sweet, and kind woman. And now I am a grandma — I feel so fulfilled personally and I have all this potential growth professionally.”

“It is a great environment because of the big family here,” she continues, “it is a great feeling, and it makes me invigorated to strive for more.”