For 23 years, Pam Stringer has been a familiar face at Village Shalom. She has worked throughout our campus, from the Villas and Apartments to the Health Center, and today serves as our Housekeeping Supervisor.
Twenty-three years is a long time to spend anywhere, but when you ask Pam what has kept her at Village Shalom year after year, her answer comes easily.
“I love working at Village Shalom. The residents are what keep me here.”
And if you know Pam, that probably doesn’t come as a surprise.
Pam takes tremendous pride in her work, but for her, the job has always been about much more than keeping Village Shalom looking its best.
She goes out of her way to help residents however she can. Sometimes that means reaching something from a high shelf. Other times, it’s making a resident’s bed exactly the way they prefer it. And sometimes, it’s simply stopping to say hello and catch up.
They may seem like little things, but Pam knows those little things matter.
After 23 years, she knows many of our residents well—their preferences, their routines and the things that make their home feel like their home.
One resident shared:
“Pam always has a smile and is willing to help wherever she is needed. I look forward to seeing her every day.”
That is exactly why Pam is one of our Everyday Champions.
Being an Everyday Champion isn’t about one big moment. It’s about showing up, day after day, and finding ways to make someone else’s day a little better. It’s knowing how a resident likes something done. It’s noticing when someone needs a helping hand. It’s taking pride in your work because you know the people you serve are counting on you.
Pam has been doing that for 23 years.
Pam’s coworkers have plenty to say about her, too. Ask them to describe her and you’ll hear words like dependable, funny and hardworking.
She is someone they know they can count on and someone who is willing to jump in when something needs to be done.
One place that dedication really shows is when Pam prepares rooms for new residents. She personally deep cleans rooms to make sure they are ready for the next person who will call Village Shalom home.
For Pam, it isn’t simply about checking off a list. She wants that new resident—and their family—to walk through the door and immediately feel that their new home has been cared for.
Pam’s 23 years at Village Shalom are impressive, but she isn’t alone in building a long-term career here.
Four other Village Shalom employees have been part of our team for 20 years or more, and more than 20 employees have at least 10 years of service.
We’re proud of those numbers because they say something about our community.
In senior living, relationships matter. Having employees who stay means residents see familiar faces year after year. Families get to know the people caring for their loved ones. New employees work alongside team members who bring years of experience and knowledge to what they do.
It also says something about Village Shalom as a place to work.
Over 23 years, Pam has watched Village Shalom grow and change. She has worked in different areas, taken on new responsibilities and built countless relationships along the way. But the thing that has kept her here hasn’t changed: the residents.
Pam’s story is one of the reasons our Employee Appreciation Fund is so meaningful.
Village Shalom employees cannot accept personal tips or gifts from residents or families. Instead, the Employee Appreciation Fund gives residents, families and members of our greater community an opportunity to collectively say thank you to the people who make a difference every day.
And that includes people throughout Village Shalom—nursing assistants, dining staff, housekeepers, maintenance team members, therapists, activity professionals and so many others whose work makes our community what it is.
The Employee Appreciation Fund is our opportunity to recognize those Everyday Champions for the care, dedication and professionalism they bring to Village Shalom.
Pam is a wonderful example.
For 23 years, she has shown us that exceptional service can be found in the smallest moments—a perfectly made bed, a helping hand, a familiar smile in the hallway and a few minutes taken to visit with a resident.
Thank you, Pam, for 23 years of hard work, laughter and genuine care for our residents. We’re very glad you chose Village Shalom 23 years ago—and continue choosing us today.
A contribution to the Village Shalom Employee Appreciation Fund is a meaningful way to say thank you to the employees who make Village Shalom a special place to live, work and call home.
And if Pam’s story has you thinking about your own future, Village Shalom also offers rewarding senior living careers in the Kansas City area for people who want their work to make a difference.
