Ellen: She always listens … and sometimes sings!

Life Enrichment Assistant Ellen Leighliter is as passionate about her work at American House Jenison today as she was the day she started in 2010.

“I love how there’s always something new going on. Family Night has a different theme every month. The whole team gets excited to give the best party we can for our residents and their families. When the residents are smiling and having a great time, it makes all the hard work worth it. It gives me goosebumps.”

Executive Director Jonathan Book said Ellen is very positive and great at reading people. “Ellen always finds a way to make things special for our residents in a way that others just can’t. That’s just the way Ellen is. Everyone loves bingo, but it’s always more than bingo when Ellen is around.”

New residents often find the transition to their new home difficult. They suddenly have many new roommates and feel overwhelmed. “I just start talking and getting to know them,” Ellen said. “Because we’re going to work together, eat together and do activities and devotions together. We’re all here for our residents. We love helping them in any way we can.”

There was one man recently who had anxiety and wouldn’t leave his room. Ellen knocked on his door every day and asked him if he wanted to go outside. He said no every time. “One day I just told him I was never going to stop asking him. He finally just smiled and said yes. I wanted him to know I was coming to him as a friend and not as an American House employee. I want all the residents to know I just want to hang out and have fun with them. That I want to hear their story. I want to know what’s going on.”

The pandemic was an especially difficult time for many residents. “They didn’t get to see their families as much, so we became their family and they became our family,” Ellen said. “I got to know their stories and their history. I got to talk to people who were at the Normandy invasion or lived through the Great Depression. It was such a great time to do one-on-ones with all different kinds of interesting people.”

She stressed how important it is to take time to listen. “Most residents are happy to tell their story. They get going and you find yourself singing hymns with them. Before you know it, there are 30 people all singing hymns and it’s just so amazing.”

For Ellen, the hardest part of her job is saying good-bye. “That’s never easy, but what a privilege it is to be with them. I can’t not be there for them, you know? I always want to help. I want to make our residents smile and bring joy to their lives. I consider it an honor to be with them.”

We all have a story. A story that taught us something, changed us and helped define who we are. At American House, your next chapter is waiting to be written. We’re here to help you write it. Your way.