RiverWoods

RiverWoods Exeter is thrilled to announce that they've been awarded an A- credit rating from Fitch Ratings! This rating highlights our financial strength and stability, which directly benefits our entire community. We invite you to watch a special message from our CFO, Kevin Goyette, where he explains how it positively impacts both our staff and residents. Don't miss this important update!

Today, we are honoring RiverWoods' history with every detail! The original kitchen table where Maryanna Hatch, Rosemary Coffin, and other board members gathered around to discuss and plan is a true piece of our history. "RiverWoods is most certainly a kitchen table creation that I don't think was any one person's idea", Maryanna said. #thestartofriverwoods #riverwoods30years #ccrc

Our next #HumansofRiverWoods feature is Deby Elonga, Community Life Associate at Manchester. Deby joined us 9 months ago and has already made a significant impact on our community. “I love working with the residents. It's a very rewarding job,” Deby shared. Transitioning from a role at a rehab center, the shift to RiverWoods brought a refreshing change. “In my previous job, I worked in a cubicle. Here, I interact with the residents on a daily basis and seeing the results of my work is really fulfilling.” Deby was drawn to RiverWoods by the potential for growth. “The position seemed like a place where I could grow and have opportunities to move up. ” One of Deby's proudest accomplishments so far has been building strong relationships with the residents. “When we have events, the residents are confident that everything will go well if I’m involved. That trust means a lot to me.” Looking to the future, Deby is excited about her growth within the company. “I know there are areas where I can improve, and RiverWoods does a great job of providing training to help us work on those areas. I’m excited to see where this journey will take me.” Outside of work, Deby finds inspiration in their refugee community. “My family migrated here when I was 14. Being a refugee has inspired me to go further in life and make my community proud. I want refugees to know that you can succeed in this country as long as you work hard and have a vision.” A fun fact about Deby is her love for the arts, especially singing and dancing to Afrobeat. “I don’t think many people know that I love to dance, but it’s something that brings me a lot of joy.” One of the most memorable aspects of Deby's role has been helping with resident presentations. “I help them from the start to the finish with these projects —booking appointments, assisting with PowerPoint, setting up the room. Seeing them present and everything coming together is incredibly rewarding.” Please join us in celebrating Deby and her dedication to making RiverWoods a better place every day. #HumansofRiverWoods #RiverWoodsRetirementCommunities #iCommunityLife #RiverWoodsManchester

If you know the history of RiverWoods, then you are familiar with Rosemary Coffin, our other fearless founder. Before RiverWoods, Rosemary co-founded Seacoast Hospice in 1978 and served as its first chairman. In 1982, a mutual friend introduced Maryanna Hatch to Rosemary, forming the dynamic duo that transformed countless lives. Rosemary's expertise in educating the public, organizing volunteers, and developing funding for Seacoast Hospice proved invaluable during the early years of RiverWoods. Combined with her passion for creating a safe space for aging in place, Rosemary was destined to create meaningful change. Her visionary leadership and dedication continue to inspire our community today.

The RiverWoods Durham Art Gallery's current exhibit, "Family Treasures from the Past," showcases cherished mementos shared by over 30 RWD residents, each piece telling a unique story. From beautifully crafted cross-stitch samplers and paintings by loved ones to original mortgage documents and marriage certificates, these irreplaceable items offer a glimpse into the special memories and rich histories of our residents. We are truly honored to present these treasured artifacts and celebrate the incredible stories they hold.

Our next #HumansofRiverWoods feature is Brittney Davis, Human Resources Administrator. She started her journey in April 2021 as a housekeeper in Durham, quickly advancing to manager before transitioning to her current HR role about two years ago. “I've always wanted to do Human Resources. This position opening up was kind of like perfect timing.” Encouraged by her neighbor, she joined RiverWoods after being a stay-at-home mom and medical assistant in Missouri. She fondly remembers her time in housekeeping. "I know everyone says the residents, but it really is the residents," she shared when asked about her favorite part of that role. Despite switching to her ideal department, Brittney misses the daily interactions with residents. “It is a big change. I go to Durham every once in a while and it's nice to see faces. A lot of people still remember me and we catch up.” Her growth at RiverWoods has been remarkable and swift. "I have definitely had the support from so many different people here. I don't think you really find support like this anywhere else." Outside of work, Brittney is a proud mother to her daughter, who is her biggest source of motivation. “Everything I do is for my family. My daughter is a huge part of that. How can I instill growth and values into her if I'm not showing her those and being that role model for her?” When asked to share something people may not know, Brittney divulged that she once guided a group of blinded female veterans on the Appalachian Trail. “We walked for three days straight and stayed overnight on the trail. My dad is a blinded veteran and the men always do all the trails, but they focused on all females for this trip. It was very inspirational. They helped me more than I think I helped them.” Looking ahead, she aspires to delve deeper into payroll while continuing to support new team members through onboarding. “When we first started the orientation sessions, it was pretty small. The past couple months have been with ten or more new employees.” Brittney’s journey at RiverWoods is a testament to her dedication and the supportive environment. #HumansofRiverWoods #RiverWoodsRetirementCommunities #CareerGrowth

Shopping is our cardio! 🛍️ RiverWoods Manchester residents, along with our fitness team, enjoyed a day strolling through The Mall of New Hampshire, topped off with a delicious lunch. It was a perfect blend of fitness and fun!

Our #HumansofRiverWoods feature this week is Susan Marcella, Director of Community Life for the Boulders campus in Exeter. With 14 years of experience at RiverWoods, Sue has found her calling. “I started at the front desk at The Woods, worked with the maintenance department, and then moved to the community life team. When the former director retired, I stepped into this role. I love it, this has always been my end goal." Sue's favorite part of her job is learning the residents' backstories. “We have so many incredible people that live here. It's just mind blowing to me what some of the people that I'm living and breathing with every single day have done with their lives." The resilience and vitality of the residents inspires her daily and keeps her excited to be at campus. Reflecting on her journey so far, she shares, "Helping residents transition to different stages of their lives here is an honor. Building trust with them is key, and it's something I take great pride in." Outside of work, Sue finds joy in being part of the Exeter Run Club and training for her second half marathon in November. She also finds happiness and fulfillment in her close relationship with her daughter, who recently finished her freshman year at the University of Montana. "As hard as it was to see her go that far away, the fact that she could do it makes me feel like I did something right." One of her proudest achievements at RiverWoods is completing the RiverWoods University program, which was a resident led course focusing on skills needed to be the most successful version of yourself. "There's so many people here with so much knowledge and so much training and so much education that they wanted to give back." Sue took classes in finance, public speaking and more. “It was a big accomplishment for me, especially the public speaking class.” #HumansofRiverWoods #RiverWoodsRetirementCommunities #CommunityLife #RiverWoodsExeter

Today we are sharing the inspiration behind one of our fearless founders desire to start RiverWoods. Maryanna dreamed of building a better and more secure way of retirement living, as care for seniors was important to her. During Maryanna's education, she stated, "At one point, I was going to night school to complete my degree and my professor believed that by the year 2000, there would be more elderly people in need of care than you could imagine. He was determined that he would recruit me to become involved with this sort of thing. Well, indeed that happened.” Join us in honoring Maryanna Hatch's legacy and celebrating 30 years of inspiring stories from a community of #trailblazers. #RiverWoods30Years #LegacyOfMaryannaHatch #CelebratingMaryannaHatch #RiverWoodsLegacy

Our next #HumansofRiverWoods feature is Carmen Chaisson, Marketing Coordinator at RiverWoods Manchester. Carmen has worn many hats throughout her 18 years at RiverWoods, including positions with dining, housekeeping and campus services at the Exeter campus. “It was a little sad to leave everybody in Exeter, but when I came to Manchester I realized the environment is exactly the same. Everyone’s friendly.” Her dedication and adaptability shine as she manages everything from events to resident move-ins with precision. Her transition to marketing allowed her to be the first friendly face for prospective residents, shaping their initial impressions of RiverWoods. “I felt like this is where I was supposed to be from the beginning. All my other positions that I was in, I met the residents after they had already moved in. But in marketing, I’m the first person they talk to and get information from, which I think is cool.” Carmen’s impact extends beyond her roles; she’s instrumental in our cottage project, showcasing her commitment to enhancing our community. Her favorite part of the job? “Move-in day. It’s stressful yet exciting, seeing residents start their new journey here.” Outside of work, Carmen is a Certified Professional Organizer, a mom to two children and a lover of family board games and Disney movies. “I enjoy anything that has to do with nature, like yoga outside, meditating or being by the water.” She recalls going indoor skydiving and rock climbing with the RWM Marketing team as some of her most memorable moments with the company. Her commitment to RiverWoods is fueled by the friendships and familial bonds she’s built over the years. “I love working here. People have turned from friends to family. It’s like a home away from home.” Looking to the future, Carmen is excited to build the waitlist and use her organizational skills to streamline this process between all three communities. “I feel like I’ve spent half my life working here and I’ve been given so many great opportunities for growth and flexibility in my career. I’m thankful for that.” #HumansofRiverWoods #RiverWoodsRetirementCommunities #CareerGrowth