Even when Jina Louis, community resource coordinator at Lantern Hill, an Erickson Senior Living community in New Providence, N.J., has a challenging day at work, she knows her team has her back. “Everyone is so supportive. They all want to see me grow and succeed,” Louis says.
Louis started working at Lantern Hill as a temporary employee, filling in for Executive Director Craig Karczmer’s executive assistant, who was on maternity leave. “My first day, I was nervous, but that went away quickly as everyone was incredibly nice and genuinely kind. At Lantern Hill, I felt at home immediately, which can be hard to find.” After working for Karczmer for five months, Louis says she was “scooped up” by Carla Brady, manager of resident services at Lantern Hill.
“Carla has become a mentor for me. She and Jen Gsell, resident event coordinator, are always challenging me with new projects so that I can learn new skills. They want me to look for advancement opportunities. Unlike some places where they fear that you will leave, here they want you to be promoted and actively support career growth,” Louis says.
Louis gets to express her creative side by designing brochures, fliers, and the monthly calendar for special events. “I also assist Jen in finding and booking vendors for events, which the residents love. The best part of my job is that every day is different.”
Lantern Hill also strives to help employees achieve that coveted work/life balance. “If you need a day off or aren’t feeling well, it’s no problem. One day, Craig Karczmer noticed that I was ill and encouraged me to get some rest and even gave me his cell phone number so that I could check in to let him know if I was feeling better,” Louis recalls fondly. “Also, you are not expected to check emails in the evening or weekends, which is important to me as I have a life outside of work. I am very active in my church and sing in the choir, so I need to be free in the evenings to attend rehearsals. We had a huge concert recently, and they let me leave early to prepare.”
Louis says that she sent the online concert link to Brady and Gsell. “They cheered me on and sent me supportive messages. They were my ‘proud mamas’ that night.”
She also likes Erickson’s focus on wellness. “I recently started running and needed some new shoes, and they reimbursed me, and I learned that they will also pay for a fitness tracker and a gym membership.” Erickson’s Wellness Fund provides reimbursement of up to $260 for personal wellness expenses for team members enrolled in an ESL medical plan.
“At Erickson Senior Living, we offer more than just a job—we offer opportunities for growth within the organization as well as resources for achieving your goals. I’m a true testament to this as I’ve been with Erickson Senior Living since I was an intern. I’ve had the privilege of working at three different Erickson Communities and have held eight different positions within the organization. They have supported me at every step of this journey and equally invested in my professional development,” says Ryan Fitzpatrick, associate executive director at Lantern Hill.
In her short time at Lantern Hill, Louis says she has learned a lot. “My bosses have shown me what real leadership looks like, and they invest in their employees. Plus, they hire the best people.”
“The services we offer to more than 30,000 residents nationwide are only as good as the people providing them,” said Alan Butler, Chief Executive Officer of Erickson Senior Living. “This is why we take the hiring process very seriously in order to identify the best people. As a growth company with a bright future, we strive to be an employer of choice by providing an unparalleled workplace experience.”
Anyone interested in exciting career opportunities at Lantern Hill should browse the company’s careers website.
Lantern Hill is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) managed by Erickson Senior Living. Lantern Hill is situated on a scenic 26-acre campus in New Providence, New Jersey. The community, which is home to more than 540 residents, is served by over 370 employees. Lantern Hill is supported by National Senior Communities, Inc. (NSC), the largest independent board of CCRCs in the nation. NSC’s purpose is to represent the financial interests of residents to promote the highest quality programs and services for the best possible value. Additional information can be found at www.LanternHill.com.
