Michael Noble-Rosema’s vibrant personality shines through in any conversation, activity, or interaction he has within his role as a community life specialist at St. John’s Meadows Hawthorne. From his fun bowties to his bouts of random singing — Rosema is the personification of St. John’s mission statement of “embrace living.”
“I am extremely empathetic and drawn to connecting with people,” says Noble-Rosema.
He mentions that his mother inspired him to enter the world of older adult care after his studies at Genesee Community College. “My mother was a caregiver for elders, and she did it so effortlessly and with such love — she showed me how fulfilling this type of work can be.”
“That passion still drives me today.”
Noble-Rosema left GCC with a degree in communications and says that he has “continued to grow professionally through hands-on experience in the hospitality and elder care industry.” He says that this experience and his time at other older adult communities have brought him a “well-rounded perspective” for his role at St. John’s.
Within his role as a community life specialist, Noble-Rosema plans and leads many of the social recreation activities at the Hawthorne, St. John’s Enhanced Assisted Living Community. He says that he focuses on promoting “meaningful and creative” activities for the residents with whom he has grown close since joining the team in 2023 — initially on the dining services team.
“The first time I saw St. John’s, I was walking my dog Huck on the trails,” says Noble-Rosema. “I fell in love with the property instantly and I looked at my partner and said, ‘I am going to work here one day,’ and six months later I did.”
Noble-Rosema says that he thrives in “environments where collaboration, creativity, and compassion come together to achieve something meaningful.” He says that St. John’s is just the place for him. He has been instrumental in organizing resident-led programs and initiatives like Paws for a Cause, which residents made catnip toys to be sold and raise funds for a local animal shelter.
“What fulfills me the most is seeing the direct impact of my work,” says Noble-Rosema. “I love helping people feel seen and supported, solving a tough problem, or contributing to a resident’s project to make a difference.”
A common response from residents and employees when Noble-Rosema’s name is mentioned is something along the lines of what St. John’s Dining Services Director Essence Lewis says, “We love our Michael, he does a great job.”
“The mission statement here is one that I live by and that is that St. John’s embraces life with vibrant, caring, and life-affirming relationships,” says Noble-Rosema. He adds that he takes pride in carrying out St. John’s vison of shifting society’s view on aging and elderhood.
“We do this by embracing and celebrating life’s experiences.”
Noble-Rosema’s zealousness for honoring aging in this way carries over into his personal life. “I find that having creative outlets outside of work helps keep me balanced and inspired,” he says. Noble-Rosema and his partner, Dane, enjoy going on hikes, attending concerts and the theatre, gardening, and exploring new places. His partner also takes time to play piano for the residents of St. John’s.
He says that his love of vintage cinema and Broadway shows is also a connector between him and the residents. “There are so many stories here,” Noble-Rosema continues, “people have lived exciting lives in education, dance, and theatre.”
As he describes the many stories that residents have to tell and all that he has learned from them, Noble-Rosema says that all you have to do is take time to listen.
“I strive to live by the mission of being respectful, responsive, innovative, fun, friendly, and compassionate.”
