Team Members and Residents Build Lasting Bonds at Blakehurst
At Blakehurst, community is more than just a word — it’s a way of life. Every day, team members and residents connect across generations, creating bonds that go far beyond service and care. From the dining room to the health center, these relationships enrich lives on both sides and give Blakehurst its unique, family-like atmosphere.
For Aislinn Mischke, becoming a server at Blakehurst was her very first job. She joined the team as a high school student, encouraged by friends who already worked there. What began as a way to gain experience quickly turned into something much deeper.
“I love my grandparents a lot,” she shared in a recent conversation with resident Peggy Hendrick, “so becoming close with all the residents made me feel like I had a giant family of just many, many grandparents.”
Over the years, Mischke has grown personally and professionally through her role. She’s learned skills that extend beyond the dining room: how to communicate with respect, carry herself professionally, and appreciate the wisdom and stories of those around her. Hendrick reflected that Mischke and her peers bring warmth and care to every table, saying, “We’re just a big happy family.”
For Hendrick, who moved back to Baltimore after being widowed, the relationships she’s built at Blakehurst mean she never feels alone. “I told my children they won’t ever have to worry about me,” she said.
A Culture of Growth and Opportunity
According to Sherry Wilson, Director of Human Resources, these bonds between residents and staff are no accident — they’re built into the very culture of Blakehurst. With more than 275 employees, the community thrives on a balance of consistency and growth. Some staff members have been with Blakehurst since its doors opened over 30 years ago, offering residents the stability of familiar, trusted faces.
At the same time, young employees — often recruited from local high schools and universities — discover their first sense of professional responsibility here. Many start as servers and, with the support of residents and the Blakehurst scholarship program (fully funded by residents themselves), go on to become certified nursing assistants, medication aides, or even coordinators and directors.
“The residents care for the staff just like we care for them,” Wilson explained. “It’s not just a place where people come to work. We try to have our business be more like a family, and that gives residents comfort and consistency while giving employees the opportunity to grow.”
The Ripple Effect of Connection
Blakehurst’s multigenerational relationships ripple outward. Residents get to know staff members’ families through scholarship ceremonies and community events. Parents beam with pride when residents tell them how much they appreciate their children. Staff members discover mentors, life lessons, and even professional connections through these friendships.
The continuity of these relationships creates special moments: a resident who remembers giving candy to a child on Halloween now sees that same child working as a server; a staff member who once cleaned an apartment is now entrusted with providing medical support, having been inspired to get more education. These threads of connection weave together a story of shared history, growth, and mutual respect.
Discover the Difference Yourself
The best way to experience the special connections that make Blakehurst unique is to see them firsthand. Call 410-441-5996 or blakehurstlcs.com/contact/ to schedule a personal tour.