Dolores
As the assistant manager for Harriet Bryan House (HBH), Dolores Johnson spends most of her time handling complex paperwork, including the annual recertifications required by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for each of the building’s 66 apartments. Yet to her, “it’s not about the work, it’s about the connections.” Her job requires that she has personal contact with each resident, which creates an environment where relationships flourish.
After ten years at HBH, Dolores knows every single resident by their first name and takes pleasure in greeting them when she sees them in the hall. “I see them and say, “Hey, how are you? It makes them feel good, it puts a smile on their face.” While COVID has restricted in-person interactions, Dolores stated, “We are trying to make it work in this new world…to still keep those connections because it’s especially important for the residents, and it’s important for me, too.”
It is not surprising that Dolores describes herself as a “people person” with communication being one of her strongest skills. As with many of the employees at PCH, her job requires her to be a “jack-of-all-trades,” not only helping the residents with their annual recertifications, but also, helping with various needs, and offering them support. “Some of them don’t have much family, and those are the residents who really rely on us for that conversation and connection…some of them consider us their family.”
Dolores shared that working with seniors is particularly fulfilling. “I have this special love for seniors because they remind me of my mother and my grandmother. There is a unique bond – I want to make sure that they’re okay”. Under Dolores’ care, there is no doubt they will be.