Moving into a new senior living community is a major life transition. It can take time to feel comfortable, find your rhythm, and truly feel like you belong. Questions naturally arise — Will I make friends? Will I fit in? Will this feel like home?
At Sholom, we understand how meaningful those first connections are. That’s why our Sholom Community Ambassador Program helps new residents find a friend and a sense of belonging even before move-in day.
Resident Ambassadors: Heart of the Community
“Our community is very welcoming,” says Susie Held, Community Sales Manager. “Our Community Ambassadors are always willing to take new residents under their wing and get them acclimated to life here.”
The goal of the program is simple yet powerful — to connect warm, outgoing residents with newcomers and make their transition feel natural.
For Lynn, a Community Ambassador at Knollwood Place Apartments in St. Louis Park, the role comes naturally. “I’ve never met a stranger,” she laughs. That openness helps her form instant bonds and earn trust. “They’re just glad someone’s talking to them,” she adds, proudly wearing her nametag to make introductions easy.
Many Roles, One Purpose
Each Ambassador brings their own strengths and personality to the role. “A Community Ambassador might have one particular strength, or they might mold to a variety of roles,” Susie explains. “It all depends on the individual.”
Lynn, for example, serves on the New Member Welcome Committee, helping residents learn about the people, programs, and opportunities around them. But she doesn’t stop there. She’s also connected with team members, resident councils, and even the landscaping team to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
“I’m an organizer — probably a ‘busybody,’” she jokes. “If I see a need, I like to help.”
Making Resident Moments More Meaningful
Community Ambassadors like Lynn bring something special — they turn everyday moments into meaningful ones.
Susie sees their efforts as a reflection of the community’s independence and vitality. “When a resident has an issue, I may not always be the right person to answer it,” she says. “But when they get support or advice from another resident, it often means more.”
“As sales, we can tell you all the great things about this community,” she adds. “But when you hear it from a resident — that’s when it becomes truly meaningful.”
When new residents see their peers thriving, making friends, and loving where they live, that builds confidence and trust. “Friendships are what keep people here,” Susie says simply.
A Keystone of Belonging
For many, being a part of the Sholom Community Ambassador Program offers a renewed sense of purpose — a way to give back and help others through the same journey they once experienced.
“The Ambassadors are so compassionate,” Susie says. “They’ve all been the new person at one time or another. They realize they need each other.”
Lynn remembers her own first day at Knollwood well. “I felt a bit out of place,” she recalls. “The staff and spiritual care team were wonderful, but I realized something was missing — that peer connection.”
So she did what came naturally: “I just went up and started talking to people,” she says with a smile.
That small act of kindness grew into something much larger — a culture of belonging that now defines the community.
Because Belonging Matters
At Sholom, we believe that a senior living community is defined not just by the services we provide, but by the people who call it home. Our Community Ambassadors embody that spirit — creating bridges, building friendships, and helping every new resident find their place and purpose.
Because at Sholom, belonging isn’t just something you find — it’s something we create together.
