June 10th, 2015
We believe in love. We believe in caring. We believe in uniting. We believe we feel joy together. We believe we feel sorrow together. We believe in family.
We are family. We are the American Training Family.
We celebrate together. And we mourn together. When someone in our family passes, we are there, in full support, as a united front.
Recently when one of our beloved Residents, Paul Tudisco, passed away, our ATI family was there, as we are for all of our family members.
One of our Colleagues, Providencia Colon, shared a story from Paul’s wake and funeral with a fellow Colleague, a story that moved us to tears, but perfectly summed up our American Training family.
“I am not sure if you are aware but I lived next to Paul and his mother for 15 years when I was younger, way before becoming a part of the American Training family and Paul began living at Court Street. And I reconnected with him about 3 years ago when I heard he was living in one of our group homes, and let me tell you what a different person he had become! I am telling you this as I know that at American Training, we always go over and above and make Life Matter for one person at a time and share our WOW! Magic.
When I was at Paul’s funeral, I was very touched to see how many people from American Training came and gave their respect to him and his family. The room was full of Colleagues that worked with him in his home, provided transportation, worked with him and lived with him. Thanks to Richard (a Colleague from Court Street) for putting together the pictures to show at the funeral; to American Training for the beautiful flowers they provided; and to Lynn and Sarah for making the arrangements, and also providing and preparing the mercy meal to anyone that attended the funeral for Paul.
There was a moment when I overheard one of Paul’s cousins state to Sarah (the manager at Court Street) how many strangers were in the room, and I overheard Sarah reply, ‘We aren’t strangers to Paul, we see him everyday and he is a part of our family too.’
That moment I realized this was more than any WOW! moment American Training could’ve ever planned or provided. I’ve always been proud to be a part of this company, for what we do. I have enjoyed working for American Training for over 5 years. But, after this past Friday, I am honored to be a part of this company, and to be working side by side with my Colleagues in residential care!
What an amazing team of people!”
Read Paul’s obituary here. Rest In Peace, Paul.
Share your supportive comments or your own American Training family story below.
What a lovely story. As a member of the ATI family for 18 years, I can confidently agree with this post. We do become family for the people we serve, and for the colleagues we work beside. Thank you Provi for sharing this experience wirh us.
This is such a beautiful story. I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been fortunate to have been part of this amazing ATI family for over 13 years! I’ve never worked for a company that was so Family Centered. I didn’t realize 13 years ago when I walked through Pinehill’s door for the first time as a Community Support Colleague that I would have the opportunity to form lasting friendships and bonds with so many Residents/Guests and Colleagues. They have each made such an impact in my life. I can only hope that I was able to do the same.