At Sonida Senior Living, CARES comes to life through the people who step in without hesitation, notice what others might miss, and bring steady energy to every corner of the community. December of Caring honors team members who lead with responsiveness, service, and communication, not because it is required, but because it is who they are.
This group of honorees is defined by initiative. They jump in, problem solve in real time, and create environments where residents feel supported and teams feel stronger. Their presence shapes daily life in ways both big and small, building trust, comfort, and connection across their communities.
These are the people who keep things moving, lift the energy of a room, and show what CARES looks like in action.
Davisha Allen, CNA, serving The Harrison residents for 1.5 years
Davisha approaches care as something deeply personal. She is naturally drawn to helping others, and it is often the smallest moments that matter most to her, helping with hair, picking something up from the floor, or simply slowing down to listen. She shared that seeing the expressions on residents’ faces and knowing she made their day a little easier is what drives her to keep giving more. For Davisha, residents are not tasks or routines. They feel like family, often reminding her of her own grandparents.
Daily care routines become time for connection. Davisha talks, laughs, and listens as she works, creating space for residents to feel seen and supported. That care is returned in meaningful ways. When she recently came to work with a painful toothache, residents noticed something was off and checked in on her throughout the day. They offered encouragement and reassurance until she finally went to the dentist, a small but powerful reminder that the relationships she builds are mutual and deeply human.
Her initiative shows up when it matters most. During a severe storm that caused a power outage and safety concerns in memory care, Davisha stayed well past her scheduled shift, working alongside her team to keep residents calm and safe. Her Executive Director shared that families frequently reach out by name to recognize Davisha’s compassion and leadership, and that when Davisha is in the building, there is a sense of confidence that everything will be handled with care.
Davisha does not wait to be asked. She steps in, reassures, and leads with kindness, shaping daily life for residents and teammates alike.
Luis Moran, Maintenance Director, serving The Lodge at White Bear Lake residents for 6 years
Luis did not plan to build a career in senior living. He originally joined the community working in the kitchen, expecting to stay for only a couple of years. But as he got to know the residents and his teammates, that plan quickly changed. Over time, he moved into maintenance and now serves as Maintenance Director, driven by a genuine desire to make each day easier for the people who call the community home. He treats residents, team members, and even visitors as extended family, and his goal is always the same, to help someone leave the interaction feeling more comfortable, more supported, and more at ease.
Luis understands how overwhelming a move can be, especially in the earliest days. He knows that things like a working television, reliable Wi Fi, or a quick fix in an apartment can be the difference between anxiety and comfort. Residents regularly stop him in the hallway to thank him, ask him to pause and talk, or simply acknowledge how hard he works. One new resident chose the community after meeting Luis during a tour, sharing that when he dropped what he was doing, came over, gently placed a hand on her shoulder, and said, “I am here to take care of you,” she immediately felt safe and welcomed.
That consistency does not go unnoticed. His Executive Director shared that when Luis was named Employee of the Month, more than forty residents came together to celebrate him. Several openly shared that weekends feel quieter without him and that they look forward to Mondays when he returns. Luis’s responsiveness, energy, and steady presence create peace of mind for residents and families alike, shaping a community where people feel cared for the moment they arrive.
Bonnie Bennett, Care Associate, serving Southern Meadows residents for 4 years
Bonnie’s heart for senior living has been shaped over a lifetime. She has worked as a CNA for more than 30 years, following in the footsteps of her mother, who worked in senior living and brought Bonnie along to meet residents from a young age. From the beginning, caring for older adults felt natural to her. She loves the people, their stories, and the relationships that form through daily care. For Bonnie, residents quickly become family, especially those who need extra patience, reassurance, and consistency.
Those relationships run deep. One resident, Pat, a 100 year old World War II veteran, became especially close to Bonnie. She spent nearly every weekday with her, building trust through humor, patience, and steady presence. Bonnie earned the nickname “the morning monster” by gently using laughter to help Pat start her day. Pat trusted Bonnie in ways she trusted few others, a reflection of the safety and comfort Bonnie created through her approach.
Her Executive Director shared that even during an especially difficult personal year, Bonnie continued to show up as a steady, uplifting presence for residents and team members. When encouraged to take time away, Bonnie asked to stay, sharing that the community was her safe place. Residents rely on her, teammates lean on her, and her warmth fills the building. Bonnie’s consistency, compassion, and willingness to step in wherever needed are exactly what make her such an anchor at Southern Meadows.
Sherry Maw, Lead Med Tech and Weekend Supervisor, serving North Pointe residents for 5 years
Sherry is deeply rooted in her community and brings a calm, steady presence to everything she does. She is motivated by the residents she serves and the relationships she has built over time. Sherry spends her days listening, talking, laughing, and being fully present. She takes time to sit with residents, hear their stories, and create moments of connection that make the community feel personal and home like, especially for those who do not have family visiting regularly.
Those connections are felt and returned. Sherry is often asked for by name, and residents and families notice when she is not there. One of her favorite ways to connect is by sitting down to play bingo on Saturdays, spending hours laughing and sharing stories. When Sherry recently took time away, residents and families asked when she would be back, and the hugs she received upon her return spoke volumes about the trust and comfort she brings into the building.
Her commitment shows most clearly when it matters most. During a major hurricane that left the community without power for more than a week, Sherry brought in an air mattress and stayed onsite alongside her Executive Director, choosing not to leave until residents were safe and stable. Her leader shared that Sherry is dependable, calm under pressure, and someone she can always count on to keep things running smoothly. Sherry’s responsiveness, quiet leadership, and heart for service create a sense of safety and reassurance that residents and team members feel every day.
Sarah Mason, Nurse, serving Autumn Glen residents for 7.5 years
Sarah is driven by the relationships she builds with residents and the trust families place in her care. She shared that getting to know residents and supporting their medical needs in the place they call home is what brings meaning to her work. Over the years, Autumn Glen has become an extension of family, where coworkers and residents see one another daily and form bonds built on familiarity, respect, and care.
Those relationships often reveal themselves in quiet, unexpected ways. Sarah shared a moment that has stayed with her. After months of gently trying to connect with a resident who kept to himself and rarely spoke, he suddenly stood up in a full dining room and excitedly called out, “Sarah, you got new glasses!” It was a small moment, but it meant everything. It was a reminder that even when connection feels one sided, presence and patience are still being felt.
Her Executive Director shared that Sarah’s positivity sets the tone for Autumn Glen. Whether working a night shift or a double shift, she greets others with a cheerful good morning and a calm, uplifting presence. Her care for residents is genuine and easy to feel, and her consistent responsiveness and warmth create a sense of reassurance for residents, families, and teammates alike.
Celebrating the people who carry CARES forward
These honorees remind us that CARES is lived through action. It shows up when someone jumps in without being asked, notices a need before it is spoken, or brings steady energy to a moment that matters. Davisha, Luis, Bonnie, Sherry, and Sarah shape their communities through responsiveness, service, and thoughtful communication, creating environments where residents feel safe, supported, and truly at home. As we close out December of Caring, we celebrate not just these individuals, but the countless moments of care, connection, and initiative happening across our communities every day. This is the heartbeat of Sonida, and it is because of people like these that our values come to life.
During December of Caring, we invite everyone to help spread the joy. Visit our Gratitude Wall to share a note of appreciation for a team member or community team. Nominations are open all month long.