The Orchards Welcomes its New Service Coordinator

January 15, 2017

The Orchards residents and staff had the pleasure to welcome LeaAnn Blanchard on Dec. 5. She is our new resident service coordinator replacing Pamela (Smith) Hilborn who we were sad to see retire. It didn’t take LeaAnn long to see how quickly she fit into our family. She won our hearts with her bright smile, energetic personality and caring approach. In talking with her, she was willing to share some background and thoughts about herself and her life.

LeaAnn is a Southington High School graduate. She currently resides in Southington with her three children, Gabriel, Noah and Gracie, her new husband, Kevin, and their cat Cocoa.(LeaAnn and Kevin were married in November 2016.) She attended Quinnipiac University where she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology. She will soon finish her master’s degree in human services from Post University. She worked for the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut for eight years starting as an apprentice and departing as a supervisor. She quickly found senior services to be her passion and wanted to make that her career. She loves working with elders and their families, she said.

LeaAnn’s hobbies include: Zumba with her friend, hiking, reading, day trips with her family and spending time at their pool.

As the resident service coordinator, LeaAnn has many roles, everything from helping someone move in to assisting residents and their families with connections to services such as veterans benefits, state programs and mental health services, to name a few. She is also the staff social worker and leads the Sunshine Club and Blankets for Babies volunteers.

Recently, LeaAnn lost her grandmother who was a very important and influential person in her life. She notes that the greatest advice anyone has given her came from her grandmother.

“She taught me that living a life that matters and living a life of love is the most important thing we can do as humans. This is my motivation each day and I hope that I can continue to pass this on the way that she did,” LeaAnn said.

LeaAnn is extremely approachable and will always make herself available for any questions, concerns, comments or needs you have.

Welcome, LeaAnn…We are so happy you found a new home at The Orchards.

– Carol Volpe, activities director