“This Is My Floor. This Is My Home”: Celebrating Catherine Vignon and the Power of Being Known
For Catherine Vignon, housekeeping at The Village of Winston Park is about much more than keeping spaces clean; it’s about creating a home where people feel seen, cared for, and valued.
Catherine joined Winston Park in 2023, bringing with her a lifetime of caregiving and resilience. After the sudden loss of her husband years earlier, she rebuilt her life around helping others. When she arrived at Winston Park, she found more than a job – she found purpose.
“When I came here, it gave me a purpose every day,” Catherine shared. “I had somewhere to go, people to care for, and something to look forward to.”
Known by residents and team members alike for her warmth and consistency, Catherine sees the neighbourhood where she works as her own home. She takes pride not only in its appearance, but in the relationships she builds there.
“This is my floor. This is my house,” she said. “When families walk in and say, ‘Wow, someone really takes care of this place,’ that means everything to me.”
Catherine lives the Know Me philosophy in quiet but powerful ways — sitting with residents to watch a favourite television show, listening to their stories, or making sure small personal details are honoured. These moments of connection are what make her work meaningful.
“They’re like my extended family,” Catherine said. “I don’t just clean rooms — I sit, I talk, I listen. I know what makes each person happy.”
Her impact has not gone unnoticed. Catherine was honoured in 2025 with a Success Award recognizing her embodiment of Know Me. While she was surprised by the recognition, she remains grounded in why she does the work.
“I don’t do this for awards,” she said. “But it feels really good to be seen.”
At Winston Park, Catherine reminds us that home is not defined by walls — it’s defined by the people who live ands work within them, and the meaningful relationships found there.
“They Never Forget How You Made Them Feel”: Ajay Dabola on Trust, Teamwork, and Following Through
When Ajay Dabola came to Canada from Punjab, India, he was searching for peace and purpose. What he found at The Village of Winston Park was a calling.
Ajay joined the team in 2023 as a Personal Care Aide and quickly found his place in the Emma’s neighbourhood, where patience, consistency, and follow-through matter most to the residents there who live with different forms of dementia and memory loss.
“What I was looking for was peace,” Ajay said. “And I found it here.”
With a background in pharmaceutical marketing, Ajay was drawn to healthcare through a fascination with human health and connection. At Winston Park, he discovered the deep importance of trust, especially for residents living with cognitive changes.
“They may forget many things,” he explained, “but they never forget how you made them feel.”
Ajay believes that trust is built through action, not intention. Following through on promises, no matter how small, is central to how he approaches his work.
“When you say you’ll do something, you have to do it,” he said. “That’s how trust is built.”
Teamwork is another cornerstone of Ajay’s philosophy. He credits the culture at Winston Park for creating an environment where team members support one another and residents feel safe.
“When one person is struggling, the team steps in,” he shared. “That’s how care should work.”
Ajay was recognized with a Success Award in 2025 for Follow Through, an honour that reflects not only his dedication, but the trust he has earned from residents, families, and his fellow team members.
“I’m in love with this Village,” Ajay said. “The leadership, the culture — it makes the work feel meaningful.”
“More Than a Meal”: How Candy Ortega Earns Trust Through Food and Care
For nearly eight years, Candy “Chef Candy” Ortega has been nourishing residents at Winston Park — not just with food, but with heart.
Originally from the Philippines, Candy immigrated to Canada on her own, beginning her journey as a live-in caregiver. Her path eventually led her to long-term care, where she found a place to combine her love of cooking with her passion for caring for others.
“Cooking here isn’t just about food,” Candy said. “It’s about taking care of people.”
As a chef in long-term care, Candy takes pride in consistency, creativity, and reliability. When challenges arise in the kitchen, she adapts, always focused on delivering meals residents can enjoy and trust.
“I love good food,” she shared. The kitchen is her space – a place where smooth operations and teamwork matter deeply.
“When things run smoothly, that makes me proud,” she said. “This is my space.”
Her dedication and dependability earned her a Success Award in 2025 for Earn Trust, recognizing the quiet leadership she brings to her role every day.
Candy’s story reflects the strength, resilience, and care that define Winston Park. Through every meal prepared with intention, she reminds us that trust is built through consistency and that food, when made with love, can feel like home.
