EB5 Investors Magazine | Page 69

This job was facilitated by USA Continental Regional Center Shannon Hundley Executive Director Renaissance Village Rancho Belago Moreno Valley, Calif. Between budgeting, administration and compliance, there is not much the executive director of an assisted living facility does not do. But Shannon Hundley always finds time to connect with the residents at Renaissance Village Rancho Belago in Moreno Valley, California, where he serves as executive director. “I’ve always worked with the elderly in some form or fashion, from skilled work to in-home care, but assisted living has always been my passion and where I want to be,” Hundley told EB5 Investors Magazine. In fact, Hundley has made his entire career about serving the elderly, and has been at it since graduating high school. “When I graduated high school, the closest thing that I could get to by foot or by bike was a skilled nursing facility,” Hundley said. “I started working there in housekeeping, and I moved up through the dietary program and as a rehab aid.” Hundley also said that passion carried him through college at Wichita State in Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and a minor in nursing in 2000. That commitment to serving his residents shines through when he spoke about meal time at Renaissance Village, where he is often making the rounds, greeting and catching up with residents. He stressed the importance of fostering a more social connection with the people living there. “One of the biggest things with the elderly population is meal time,” Hundley said. “I’m in there for all three meals to see them. The morning is an important time as well. That way I can meet with them and resolve any issues they may have had overnight.” Meal time helps the residents feel like they are at “home,” Hundley said. That feeling of home also extends to the staff. His job is not only professionally satisfying, but also personally rewarding. “I love coming to work because when I come in every day, it feels like I’m seeing my extended family,” Hundley added. “The dining room is especially important. I’ll sit down with them and move to different tables and ask them how they are doing. It is a very important social time for all of us.” Hundley also added that he feels a sense of pride in what he does, knowing that he makes a difference in people’s lives every day. “This job has enhanced my quality of life,” he said. “But I know that it is enhancing our residents’ quality of life as well.” WWW.EB5INVESTORS.COM 67