About a year ago, Kendal at Ithaca created a new position titled Life Engagement Manager. It is doubtful anyone would argue with the fact that developing this role has been a great decision for residents. However, what made it a truly remarkable decision was getting the right person to fill that role. Maria Giampaolo is that person.
“I love the programming Maria Giampaolo is arranging off campus,” said one resident. “Maria G. has done a wonderful job with the number and variety of activities since assuming that role,” commented another in a recent survey.
As a 28-year veteran of Kendal, Maria started her career in the Health Center as the Director of Therapeutic Recreation. She is well acquainted with Kendal values and the needs and expectations of residents. Her welcoming and calming presence, combined with her natural energy and planning skills, allows her to execute in a way that is perfect for this position.
Resident visioning groups were the first to identify a need for this type of role and provided feedback and Maria has facilitated outings such as sporting events, concerts, lake cruises, museums, wine tours, and more. In addition to the off-campus excursions, she also supports a variety of campus events, with the most recent being Contra dancing and international dance instruction. Maria participates in community outreach initiatives, forging partnerships to create volunteer and vocational opportunities that extend Kendal at Ithaca’s impact beyond the campus. The partnership she spearheaded with the local YMCA is an example of leveraging Kendal at Ithaca’s wellness initiatives beyond the campus to benefit both the community and Kendal.
While various initiatives take her out and about with groups, Maria also spends a lot of time just talking and, more importantly, listening to individual residents. It is the one-on-one personal interaction where Maria begins building the foundation of her “Life Engagement” position. She often seeks feedback about what type of recreational programming would be most interesting. She relies on her experience using the Quaker collaborative approach learn so much from them and feel lucky to be able to help improve their experience here at Kendal,” noted Maria.
Listening and responding to resident feedback creates opportunities for them that are specific to their interests and the local environment. These opportunities allow a consistent way to engage with one another and provide common experiences that strengthen the community. Having a strong community means we have a community that is active and engaged with life.
It appears that increased engagement is truly a positive outcome of creating the Life Engagement Manager position. Maria is on to something, and Kendal at Ithaca is fortunate to have her.