Dedicated. Innovative. Mission-driven.

Living through a major building renovation isn’t easy. Fortunately for the people living at Colman House, they have Peg Coles in their corner. As Resident Services Director, Peg goes out of her way to make sure residents are heard, supported and reassured.

As the Colman House renovation progresses, Peg knows to expect the unexpected. She also recognizes that unexpected changes can make some residents anxious. She stays attuned to their concerns and makes sure people feel heard and their feelings validated.

While listening is important, Peg is a doer, as well. She’s a skilled problem-solver, always seeking effective ways to work with residents to help them successfully live in community. That includes connecting individuals with outside resources to help maintain their independence and health—whether they need transportation, housekeeping or a personal aide. Peg collaborates with families when their involvement is needed. And she continually works to create opportunities for residents to engage with others, an essential part of living in community.

Spend a few minutes talking to Peg and you’ll experience her special gift: the ability to create a bubble of calm, even in the midst of a sometimes disruptive construction project. At the heart of Peg’s approach is a deep empathy for the people at 2Life.

“They are so deserving of our kindness and support,” Peg says. “They all deserve to be comfortable and secure, living lives of joy and fulfillment.”

When something needs fixing, Maintenance Supervisor John Bjorklund is the man to call at Brown House. But his skills go beyond turning a crescent wrench and screwdriver—John also knows his way around the guitar fretboard. His musical abilities and his dedication to the residents he serves have added a dimension of joy here at 2Life.

During the early days of the pandemic, with our campuses under lockdown, John thought music might give people a respite from the stress and isolation of sheltering in place. John and two of his bandmates were the first performers in our popular “window concerts,” starting with the Golda Meir House, where he was on the maintenance team at the time. From inside their apartments, residents were treated to a one-hour set of acoustic music. The trio moved from one side of the building to the next, giving everyone a “front-row seat” to the concert.

Since then, John and his band have performed at other 2Life campuses. He also helps out at other events—whether it’s taking the plunge in the dunk tank at a 2Life carnival or setting up for an outdoor winter party. For John, it all comes down to enhancing the lives of others.

“Helping to make life better for the people at 2Life is fun for me. I get as much out of the experience as they do,” John says. “It’s wonderful that we are encouraged to think outside the box and given opportunities to do things that bring joy.”

For residents at our Brighton Campus, Resident Services Coordinator Lucy Tsitlenko is the go-to person when they need assistance or just a listening ear. Her compassion and tenacious problem-solving skills are particularly appreciated by the many Russian-speaking people living at 2Life. A native of Russia herself, Lucy serves as a crucial bridge across languages and cultures.

Residents have come to rely on Lucy for help with a wide range of needs—from understanding and responding to letters and notices to service provider referrals to applying for permanent resident status. As a notary public, Lucy also helps make important documents official.

When the war in Ukraine broke out last February, many Russian émigrés—including dozens of 2Life residents—stopped receiving their Russian pensions due to sanctions. Lucy swung into action, crafting letters to the Social Security Administration to explain the problem and following up to advocate for raising existing social security benefits to help close the income gap. Our Resident Services team extended this effort, reaching out to assist impacted residents across 2Life campuses. Through this effort, and with support from U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss, the benefits were successfully increased, restoring a critical sense of financial security for the residents impacted.

“I like to see the result of what I’m doing and know that I’m making a difference for people,” Lucy says. “When people come to me with a problem and then leave my office not upset anymore, that means so much to me.”