Turning a home into a Sanctuary
Real Homes in Tranquil Neighborhoods
A home setting with a normal lifestyle allows residents to welcome family into their own home. Residents enjoy home-cooked meals, play games, and are able to relax in our Florida rooms or open patios with their loved ones. These comfortable homes in lovely residential neighborhoods are secure both inside and out, allowing residents to feel safe and sound just like in their own homes.
ONLY 6 RESIDENTS PER HOME
With one professional caregiver for every 6 residents, Sanctuary by Strive can provide a much higher ratio of caregivers to staff than what you would find in a larger facility with more independency. This enables our residents to receive a higher level of personal attention.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF TRAINED IN MEMORY LOSS
Lower staff turnover means reliable companionship for our memory impaired residents, encouraging a stress-free environment. Our staff receive ongoing training to work with dementia and memory loss individuals. Awake 24/7, our staff provide compassionate care round the clock to assist with needs like dressing, bathing, and medication assistance.
CYNTHIANA,
Altamonte Springs
Our Cynthiana home is located right off of Oranole. This home features 5 spacious bedrooms as well as a welcoming living area and eat-in kitchen. In addition, this home has a large secure backyard.
Melissa Bossert
Chief operating officer
Melissa Bossert began her career in senior living over 26 years ago. She grew up in New England and met her husband of 25 years, Andy, at Johnson and Wales University where she studied Travel and Tourism. Her parents and grandmother, whose suitcases were always packed and ready to go on an adventure, had influenced her love of travel. While working in the travel industry she took senior groups on tours across the United States and this is where she learned about senior living.
Melissa started as a Resident Lifestyle Facilitator at Westminster Towers where she spent 17 years creating experiences for over 300 residents, writing articles for the senior living industry, and giving speeches on how to create a well-rounded wellness program for all to enjoy. After serving as her next company’s interim Executive Director, she moved into an Executive Director/Regional role at Plantation Oaks Senior Living for 5 years. She joined Legend Senior Living as their Area Director of Operations for North Florida and moved in the Regional Director of Operations for Florida overseeing all operations aspects of 10 Assisted Living and Memory Care communities for the last 3 years.
Melissa’s commitment to have seniors enjoy life to the fullest is evident in the work she does to create environments for residents to thrive. Melissa enjoys volunteering at Central Florida organizations and is passionate about the Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity. Melissa and her husband have one son, Holden, who is a graduate of American University and works for the Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, DC.
Rebecca Root
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Rebecca Root is the Director of Operations for Sanctuary by Strive. In her current role Rebecca works with the team members to handle all the human resources and payroll needs, as well as all accounting
needs for the communities. Rebecca believes in advancing the mission, teamwork, collaboration, integrity, and being a champion for both the residents and the staff who are providing care and services.
She is competitive and always wants the team to excel and exceed expectations.
Rebecca brings over 25 years of experience in the senior living industry. She received her master’s degree in health care administration from Utica College. Rebecca is also a licensed nursing home
administrator in the state of Florida.
Alva Arrington
Nurse Administrator
Alva Arrington is the Nurse Administrator for Sanctuary by Strive. Her knowledge base comes with overseeing all operations and ensuring residents receive the care they need in compliance with state and federal regulations. Alva’s compassion for our residents comes from years of experience, care, devotion, and continued education of Alzheimer’s disease for the well-being all residents.
Alva’s nursing career began in the Emergency Department of Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, IL. She remained there for 7 years and obtained experience in many medical areas. Later, Alva worked with the Department of Veteran Affairs as a Family Support Coordinator for 11 years.
After her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she became interested in learning more about the disease. Her desire to help residents and families then led her to specialize in this area. Alva has worked in assisted living/memory care for the last 15 years as a Health & Wellness Director.
Alva has one daughter and two lovely grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with them and introducing them to new experiences in life.
Lynette Smith
ADMINISTRATOR
Lynette Smith is an Administrator at our Bear Lake home. She has worked with the elderly for nearly 15 years. She has 2 grown adult children and 4 grandchildren which she adores.
Lynette started her career as a CNA, then went on to become a nurse. In her 32 years as a nurse, she has worked in many different areas of nursing but caring for the elderly has been her favorite. She brings not only her nursing expertise, but her experience on the administrative side has proved invaluable. Lynette believes in working closely with her staff to give them the support and tools they need to be successful.
When asked why she works with the elderly Lynette stated, “They bring so much joy and wisdom to us if we just listen. I have met so many people along the way and hope I’ve made a positive impact somehow while caring for them.”
“I am excited to be here to help care for your loved ones and look forward to getting to know them (and you) as we go on this journey together.”
Brandon Rowley
regional executive chef
Brandon Rowley is the Regional Executive Chef for Strive Senior Living and Strive at Fern Park. He is responsible for developing and planning menus, managing food cost and inventory, maintaining quality standards, and leading, mentoring, and managing the culinary team. Brandon’s vision for Strive Senior Living’s dining experience is to craft simple cuisine that enlivens the senses and surpasses your expectations.
Brandon graduated high school in 2002, and attended Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, Florida where he graduated in 2005. He started his career working in country clubs and hotels before entering the senior living industry in 2008. Brandon believes that serving meals and caring for seniors is perhaps the greatest reward we have.
Bernice Francois
senior house manager
Bernice Francois is a Senior House Manager for our Quenita home and also oversees operations in three of our other homes. She was born in New York, but relocated to Florida in 2005 where she started working as a caregiver. Bernice is a happily married mother of three lovely children.
Bernice has been with Sanctuary by Strive for nearly seven years, where she continually cares for the residents, the staff, and their families. She was once asked” Why did you choose to work with the elderly?” Her reply was, “Something that hasn’t changed throughout the years of my experience is my good attitude and my willingness to always advocate for the residents”. She looks forward to continuing to care for your family.
Syndie Valmont
SENIOR house manager
Syndie Valmont is a Senior House Manager at our Miscindy home and also oversees operations in two of our other homes. She has been working for Sanctuary by Strive for nearly 5 years. Syndie used to work in tech support as a call center agent and health and life insurance agent. She started working as a caregiver in 2017 thanks to one of her best friends recommending a career change.
Syndie was born and raised in Haiti until she was 17 years old. She has been living In Orlando, Florida since 2002, and is a single mother of a handsome boy named Micheal.
Syndie enjoys working and taking care of people because it gives her the potential to make a difference in someone’s life. She is a licensed Healthcare Administrator in the State of Florida, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a minor in Accounting at American Public University.
Vonnie Hall
house manager
Vonnie Hall is the House Manager for our Mount Dora home. A Florida native, she grew up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She completed her education in the New Jersey educational system. Vonnie recognized at an early age that she had a passion and great concern for the wellbeing of others.
Vonnie married Benjamin Hall in July of 1983. Only months after taking her vows, she and her husband became devastated by the news that Benjamin had only months to live, as he had been diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Taking her vows seriously, she devoted all of her time to caring for her husband until his passing.
Immediately after losing her husband, Vonnie decided to dedicate her life to caring for others. She soon began taking classes to earn credentials that were necessary to make her dreams a reality.
Upon completing all required courses and after obtaining her license, Vonnie secured employment with the Woodbridge Developmental Facility for the Disabled. She went on to hold various positions of personal care. She is currently enjoying working with residents and the Strive family at Sanctuary by Strive.
Let us show you around.
or give us a call at
407-740-8815
