Celebrating Gratitude

In celebration of our 15th anniversary as a company, Seasons spent the month collecting examples of what some of our seasoned General Managers are thankful for and why, as they shared how their residents and team members show that they care.

Seasons Amherstburg

"There are so many reasons to be grateful for working at Seasons, so here are a few of mine:

Mentorship is a very important part of being a leader to me. Ensuring our employees know we want the best for them and that we are their cheerleaders and support system is essential. Watching my team grow to become more confident humans is very satisfying. Watching a young high school student start on their first day feels parental, perhaps unsure of themselves. Then, with dedicated encouragement, guidance, and wisdom, we see them grow into capable young adults. If they move on from Seasons, I hope they will remember us as a place that gave them the tools and the confidence to know they can do anything they work hard for.

Often, feelings of gratitude might not be as transparent. There are many difficult moments we experience daily, such as residents who may need to move to long-term care or who have even passed away. It may cause us to think, "How can I be grateful when these sad things happen?" But, we should change our thoughts to "How lucky are we that we got the opportunity to love and care for these residents?" These losses make us stronger individuals, and though it's hard, we appreciate these amazing people who touched our lives.

I have two very personal reasons for gratitude. First, I am grateful to have my Mom live where I work. She struggled to keep up with her home, and Seasons Amherstburg has apartments. We both thought it would be the perfect opportunity for her to make the move, and my Mom loves the freedom it has provided her! I am not as worried that something will happen to her as I know she is in great hands, and if she does have an emergency, someone is just a call away. The second personal reason is the opportunity for my growth within the company. I started as a Leasing Manager, knowing in my interview that I was born for that job! Along the way, I had some pretty amazing mentors who, to this day, continue to give me opportunities for growth in the company, for which I am incredibly grateful.

I often repeat the quotes "Teamwork makes the dream work" and "It takes a village" to my team. Doing this job right enriches our teams, improves our lives, and makes me a better leader." Tamasin Dineen (Started at Seasons July 2014)

Seasons Belle River

"I am so thankful to have such a dedicated and compassionate team working together to build a strong sense of community! Listening to the residents speak about their life experiences, celebrating moments of joy with them, and providing compassion and empathy during difficult times is a daily reminder of how important connections are in our lives. We are one big family here, and everything we do is a collaborative effort to make everyone's day great!" Tara Lippert (Started at Seasons February 2017)

Seasons Clarington

"Reflecting on my time at Seasons, I think about all the wonderful people I have met. Seasons has so many caring and loving people in the company. It is always about the people. I am grateful that I can make a difference in the lives of our residents. I love being creative and finding ways to make life fun and meaningful at our home. I appreciate the team working hard to improve the residents' lives." Kim Mitchell (Started at Seasons June 2016)

Seasons Dufferin Centre

"I am thankful for many things, but the main one is the culture in my home. Our residents keep me and all team members grounded & humble; they will be the first to tell you that something is not how they like it, but they are also the first to celebrate with us! They truly make me and all our staff feel like we are a big family; we care about them and their happiness & well-being, and it's very clear they care for us, too. I am thankful for the dynamic between our residents and staff, as without this, we would not have gotten that big family feel. This also helps us create connections with their families. I am also thankful that Seasons offers many opportunities, but I am unsure if everyone knows how much support the company provides to all its staff. I experienced three major life events, and Seasons supported me through all of them. Without this, I don't know where I would be today." Christine Boniface (Started at Seasons September 2010)

Seasons Owen Sound

"I am grateful for the opportunity to work with wonderful people at such a supportive company. We are like a family; we experience the good and the tough together. Our residents all help each other and the team as a whole. They always compliment the cooks, dining, and care teams for what we do. We have had many residents come and go, and they have all left a lasting impression on my heart and everyone else. When a family member shares their thanks for the little things or just knowing their name that truly tells me I am right where I need to be." Polly Kirstine (Started at Seasons November 2019)

Seasons Ponoka

"I am most thankful for my Service Team Leaders and front-line staff who come to our home daily with smiles and are dedicated to making Seasons Ponoka a great place to work and live. It is a rewarding job to listen to the stories the residents share, get to know them, and reminisce about their past. Being in a smaller community, many residents who move in with us have lived in the area for a long time and have family or friends in our home. The residents become like family." Stephanie Waldron (Started at Seasons September 2013)

Seasons Royal Oak Village

"At this time of year, I look back on my time with Seasons and feel overwhelming gratitude for the relationships and connections I have made. I am also thankful for our team members, most of whom have been with us for many years.

It's also a time to celebrate our friendships and family. I am thankful that my team takes the time each day to ensure our residents feel loved and safe. For some, this isn't always a joyous time. I am grateful that our staff understands this and steps in to create memorable moments for those residents who may not have family and friends to share these special moments with. They are always there to celebrate each special moment and make our residents feel special and loved!

I am thankful that our residents' families trust us with their loved ones. Although we know we cannot fill the unique role and relationship that they hold, we all feel honoured to be part of their family!

Finally, I am grateful to our residents. Thank you for letting us be there for you through the incredible moments and help support you through the challenging moments. Without you, none of this would matter. It truly takes a village, and our Royal Oak Village is here to 'Connect, Care, Change?'!" Niki Mills (Started at Seasons April 2013)