In 2014, Jean Zouzou was among the first team members to participate in orientation sessions within the brand-new Village at St. Clair in Windsor. He was there to welcome the Village’s first neighbours, as the residents have come to be known, and he cherishes the unique connections he has with each of them.
A decade later on a bright and clear, early September afternoon, he stands outside of the Village in the carnival-like atmosphere during the anniversary celebrations, reflecting on what his role in Village Life means to him.
Working alongside and supporting those living in a long-term care home has given Jean a perspective on life that many people don’t have a chance to realize. “It has changed my lifestyle, my way of thinking,” Jean says, “and it just really showed me the value of different people and different cultures and that makes me want to do more to help others.”
He says whether it’s the neighbours or his fellow team members, “I am connected to everybody,” and in his description of relationships within the Village, the values and the overarching mission of Schlegel Villages comes to life.
In his remarks to the guests and Villagers gathered for the celebration, Schlegel Villages president and CEO Jamie Schlegel speaks about the importance of relationships, not only within the Village but with partners from outside who have been critical supports over the years.
He looks to friends from neighbouring St. Clair College, who made the short walk past the beach volleyball courts and the football field to join the festivities. The partnership was critical in the early stages of planning, as the need for LTC beds in the region was so acute, yet land was hard to secure.
"I look back with a bit of a sense of a guiding hand, not to get too philosophical or spiritual, but a bit of a guiding hand that brought Schlegel Villages and St. Clair College together to make this wonderful Village and this wonderful partnership come to light," Jamie says.
St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi considers the number of students from the college who have been part of the Village through placement opportunities or have become part of the team after graduating, and he says the fruits of the partnership are revealed all the time.
“We think this is the perfect marriage and it just makes sense,” Silvaggi says. “The opportunities that we can afford our students by giving them real life experience is always the difference, it’s always the element that solidifies an individual’s choices as to why they’re studying here.”
Looking ahead, hopes are high that construction will begin soon on the new phase of the Village, with planning well underway for new retirement neighbourhoods, which will also include a Living Classroom where St. Clair College students aspiring to be healthcare professionals will be immersed in Village life.
That’s still some time away, however. In the meantime, team members like Jean will keep the community tightly bound together, very much looking forward to many more years of blooming relationships in Village Life.
