Sodalis Fire Starters: Working in Senior Living
Meet the people who spark joy
Working in senior living means more than executing tasks. It means showing up every day with compassion, patience, and genuine care. It means noticing when a resident needs encouragement and celebrating small victories. It means being part of something bigger than yourself.
Our Fire Starters are team members who consistently ignite positive change at Sodalis Living communities. They are Activity Directors who remember what makes residents smile. Culinary team members who prepare meals with heart. Nursing professionals who respond to needs with urgency. Executive Directors who lead with integrity. These are the people who make senior living careers meaningful.
For families exploring senior living options, Fire Starters represent what to look for in a community. For those considering work in senior living, their stories show what’s possible when you join a team that values people as much as it values outcomes.
Introducing our Fire Starters
Each month, we spotlight team members who embody Operation Magic — our cultural commitment to excellence, compassion, and genuine connection. These profiles show what working in senior assisted living really looks like, from the daily moments of care to the professional growth opportunities available.
Whether you are a resident, family member, or potential team member, our Fire Starters remind us why senior living career opportunities matter. They are the backbone of thriving communities.
Fire Starter spotlights
Sodalis Cantonment
Month: July
Name: Quisiana Pressley
Position: Resident Assistant
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I love listening to music and dancing
How they got into senior living: My best friend introduced me, and I fell in love with helping people
Favorite part about working with seniors: Learning new things about them
Favorite part about Sodalis family: How everyone works well together
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Songwriting, singing, and creative dance
Sodalis Jacksonville
Month: July
Name: Samantha Wilson
Position: Med Tech
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I have a cat who is about to be six. She is my baby, but I am allergic to her.
How they got into senior living: I always wanted to work in healthcare, and I enjoy working with older people
Favorite part about working with seniors: They have no filter and are funny
Favorite part about Sodalis family: All of my coworkers. I enjoy being with everyone.
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Shopping, movies, and hanging out by the pool
Sodalis Largo
Month: July
Name: Leroy Jones
Position: Driver
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I’m a jack of all trades and help out wherever I can
Favorite part about working with seniors: Making them smile and helping residents have fun things to look forward to
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Everyone is like family
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Spending time with family
VIVERE Life Deer Park
Month: July
Name: Abel Sanchez
Position: Cook
Fun fact about Fire Starter: Very playful
How they got into senior living: The love and passion for seniors is rewarding
Favorite part about working with seniors: Cooking for them
Favorite part about VIVERE Life family: Environment and culture
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Working out
Sodalis DeFuniak Springs
Month: July
Name: Abagail Hines
Position: Cook
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I can sing
How they got into senior living: I saw an opening and applied
Favorite part about working with seniors: They are funny
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Teamwork
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Fishing and video gaming
Sodalis Temple
Month: July
Name: Audrianna Blunt
Position: Resident Assistant
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I enjoy hiking and exploring new places
How they got into senior living: I just applied and discovered a new passion for caring for and connecting with older people
Favorite part about working with seniors: Building meaningful relationships with the residents and their families, making a positive difference in their daily lives, and bringing smiles
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Supportive team atmosphere and opportunity to grow
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Spending time with family, traveling, fishing, and trying new foods
Sodalis Wharton
Month: July
Name: Corrina Earls
Position: Resident Assistant/Housekeeper
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I can do hair, and I am a cheer mom
How they got into senior living: I’ve always enjoyed working with older adults, so I applied and have loved it ever since
Favorite part about working with seniors: The talks we have and knowing I am helping them or just being a listening ear make me happy
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Everyone is cool and it’s a family
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Listening to music, decorating, and being a mom to my girls
Sodalis Texas City
Month: July
Name: Desiree Douglas
Position: Medication Aide
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I am a very quiet person
How they got into senior living: In my junior year of high school, I took a health class and was able to go into a nursing home to help with ADLs, and I fell in love with it
Favorite part about working with seniors: I love hearing the life stories and helping them get their day started right
Favorite part about Sodalis family: I love that we work together as a team
Hobbies/Interests outside work: I love spending time with my son and watching him grow
Sodalis Pensacola
Month: July
Name: Jaleel Gamble
Position: Housekeeper
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I’m a great artist
How they got into senior living: Looking for a career change
Favorite part about working with seniors: I love our residents’ stories
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Everyone is friendly and welcoming
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Drawing and being a Dad
Sodalis Victoria Assisted Living
Month: July
Name: Nora Solberg
Position: Resident Assistant
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I love cooking; I make the best cookies and cheese balls. Also, I have a funny sense of humor.
How they got into senior living: My husband worked in an assisted living community, so I decided to try
Favorite part about working with seniors: Helping residents be happy by taking care of them
Favorite part about Sodalis family: We have an awesome team
Hobbies/Interests outside work: I love cooking and gardening
Sodalis Windcrest
Month: July
Name: Irelynn
Position: Med Tech
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I like volleyball
How they got into senior living: My mom worked in senior living, and I’m in school for nursing
Favorite part about working with seniors: Building relationships with residents
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Relationships built with coworkers
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Spend time with my family and dog, Brownie
Sodalis Merritt Island
Month: July
Name: Christina Marshall
Position: Concierge
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I grew up in the cornfields of Northern Illinois
How they got into senior living: I answered an ad for a receptionist position
Favorite part about working with seniors: Their stories
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Just that it’s a family
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Paper crafting and morning coffee on my porch with my cats
Sodalis Flower Mound
Month: July
Name: Samuel Ngangara
Position: Cook
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I love soccer
How they got into senior living: I care about people and love working with seniors
Favorite part about working with seniors: I enjoy the working environment
Favorite part about Sodalis family: Friendly people
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Swimming and going to the gym
VIVERE Life Longview
Month: July
Name: Kydrana Caldwell
Position: Med Tech
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I play piano and flute
How they got into senior living: I want to go to school for nursing, so I came up here for a job fair and fell in love with the field
Favorite part about working with seniors: I love all my residents, and they love me. I love getting to bond with them.
Favorite part about VIVERE Life family: I love how everyone is so helpful, nice, and always willing to help out
Hobbies/Interests outside work: I like to read science fiction and take walks
Sodalis Stuart
Month: July
Name: Lissett Melso
Position: Resident Assistant
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I like to play basketball, soccer, and help people
How they got into senior living: I like to help people, especially seniors
Favorite part about working with seniors: It’s nice to hear about life stories
Favorite part about Sodalis family: It’s a nice place to work, and everyone is happy here
Hobbies/Interests outside work: Go to the playground with my son
May 2023 Fire Starter — Sodalis Temple
Name: Kathleen Brisco
Position: Med Tech/RA
Fun fact about Fire Starter: I’m very caring, and I love to work
How they got into senior living: Love working with residents and have been doing it for 16 years
Favorite part about working with seniors: Residents and my co-workers
Favorite part about Sodalis family: They care about the residents
Hobbies/Interests outside work: BINGO and shopping
Join our team
Inspired by our Fire Starters? Senior living careers at Sodalis Living offer meaningful work, supportive leadership, and opportunities for growth across all roles and experience levels.
