As part of our AARP funded large-scale mural titled, “See Me, Hear Me: The Art of Living,” we highlighted portraits and stories of several members of our dedicated dining team.
Gerald is the director of dining services at Forest Hills, where he has been for four years. His favorite part of working at Forest Hills is interacting with people and likes seeing them smile. This is the first time he has worked in healthcare. Before starting work in this field, he had worked in fine dining for more than 25 years. He decided to come to Forest Hills during COVID. At that time, his father was also living with a dementia diagnosis so working at the community helped him learn how to connect with his father.
“I love cooking,” he says. “I went to culinary school in Pittsburgh and like cooking food from all over the world. We have an eclectic crowd here. Everybody says ‘wow, my mom used to cook this when I was young,’ or ‘this is what I used to eat when I was back home.’ There’s probably no greater honor.”
The Importance of Teamwork for the Dedicated Dining Team
Both Norma and Maria work alongside Gerald each day. Norma is 45 years old and has worked at Forest Hills for almost five years with the dining services team. She likes being around all the residents. She says, “working here, I see my family, my parents, I see them in my residents. That’s why I love working here. I want someone to love my family with that same love.”
Maria is 58 years old and has worked here for three years. She is from El Salvador originally. “I like my kitchen, the food and residents,” she says. “The people working here are so nice. I like working together, the teamwork.”
Tanya has worked at Forest Hills for 16 years in the dining services department. She has always worked in the hospitality field. What she likes most about the work is the residents. Helping gives her a good feeling. “The team here just sticks together. We’re a good team,” she says. She is 57 years old and thinks these are the best years of her life because she gets to do more, look back on things and give good advice to her daughter. To live a good life, she believes you need to be kind to others, it will go a long way.
Visit Our Digital Exhibit
To read all the resident and staff stories captured as part of our public art initiative, funded by AARP and in partnership with Marvin Bowser Photography, Art Against Ageism and Tenleytown Main Street, visit our digital exhibit here.
Tanya
Gerald, Norma, and Maria
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