November 10, 2026For 40 years, Lavonne Colston has been a valued member of The Gardens community, helping residents stay active, healthy, and engaged through her role as Senior Fitness Aide in the Wellness Department. Throughout her four decades of service, she has built meaningful relationships with residents and fellow employees, making The Gardens much more than just a workplace. “I am truly blessed to be celebrating forty years of employment at the Gardens. Day after day, year after year I have loved being part of this amazing place. It is a place of real community, between not only the residents, but employees as well. The smiles, chats, hugs, and yes, tears from knowing and caring for hundreds of people during my time here has enriched my life. I have always been inspired by how the Gardens keeps growing and thriving to better everyone’s days.” For Lavonne, the connections she has made over the years have been just as rewarding as the work itself. Her passion for wellness and genuine care for others reflect the strong sense of community that makes The Gardens such a special place. We are grateful for Lavonne’s 40 years of dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping our residents thrive. Thank you for being such an important part of The Gardens family! [...] Read more...
October 29, 2026At Mt. San Antonio Gardens, our employees play an important role in creating a welcoming and supportive community. For the past 15 years, Margie Reeves, LVN Clinical Coordinator at Oak Tree Lodge, has been a dedicated member of The Gardens team, building meaningful relationships with residents and colleagues while continuing to grow in her career. Margie’s journey at The Gardens began as a per diem floor nurse. Through hard work, dedication, and a passion for learning, she embraced opportunities for professional development and advanced into her current role as LVN Clinical Coordinator. Throughout her career, she has found fulfillment not only in providing care but also in connecting with residents and supporting her fellow employees. “What I enjoy the most is the communication I get to have with residents, the good and the bad, and the relationships I build with them. It’s interesting to learn about what they’ve done in the past and hear their stories. The same goes for staff. I enjoy making sure they have what they need, providing skills training, and making learning fun and enjoyable.” For Margie, these connections have been one of the most meaningful parts of her career and a major reason she has remained at The Gardens for 15 years. “What has kept me here are the relationships I have with residents and staff. We all work together as a team.” That spirit of teamwork was especially evident during one of her most memorable experiences at The Gardens. When residents from another senior living community were forced to evacuate due to nearby wildfires, employees came together to welcome them and help them feel comfortable during a difficult time. Staff even transformed an office into a temporary closet to accommodate the visiting residents’ needs. It was a moment that demonstrated the compassion, flexibility, and willingness to help others that make The Gardens community so special. As Margie celebrates 15 years of service, her journey reflects the opportunities for professional growth, meaningful relationships, and teamwork that are part of the employee experience at Mt. San Antonio Gardens. From her beginnings as a per diem nurse to her current role supporting residents and staff, she continues to make a positive difference in the community. Thank you, Margie, for 15 years of dedication, leadership, and compassionate service. Your commitment to residents, colleagues, and continued learning is a wonderful example of the people who make The Gardens such a special place to live and work. [...] Read more...
October 22, 2026At Mt. San Antonio Gardens, our employees are an important part of what makes our community special. Their dedication, experience, and the relationships they build with residents help create a welcoming environment where people feel at home. This year, we are proud to celebrate John McCurdy, Maintenance Electrician in our Plant Engineering Department, as he marks an incredible 45 years of service at The Gardens. Throughout his career, John has become a familiar and trusted face in the community. While his work involves maintaining and repairing essential systems, he believes that what makes his job truly rewarding goes beyond the technical side of his responsibilities. “The challenges are what make my job interesting and exciting. I enjoy meeting a variety of people. It’s not just about repairing something; it’s about greeting residents, getting to know them, and building a relationship because they put a lot of confidence in us. I like talking with people and hearing their interesting stories.” Over the years, those everyday interactions have helped him develop meaningful connections with residents. Whether responding to a maintenance request or simply stopping to have a conversation, he values the opportunity to get to know the people who call The Gardens home. When asked what has kept him at The Gardens for more than four decades, his answer reflects the sense of comfort and belonging he has found within the community. “I’ve stayed because I feel comfortable here, and the residents feel comfortable with me. Working here has made life better for me. It’s a great opportunity with good benefits and good people to work with.” One particular experience left a lasting impression on him and changed the way he approaches relationships with residents. While attending a memorial for a resident who had passed away, he learned that she had grown up in his hometown and that his father had even been in her class. He realized they had shared a personal connection he never had the opportunity to discover while she was alive. That experience inspired him to make a greater effort to learn about the people he meets. “Since then, I always read the bios of new residents and try to get to know them.” For John, taking the time to learn someone’s story has become just as meaningful as the work he performs each day. His approach reflects the personal connections that make The Gardens more than just a workplace. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we recognize not only his 45 years of service but also the countless interactions, conversations, and relationships that have shaped his journey. Congratulations, John, on 45 years at Mt. San Antonio Gardens! Thank you for your dedication, craftsmanship, and genuine care for our residents and community. Your commitment to your work and the people around you has made a lasting impact on The Gardens. [...] Read more...
October 22, 2026At Mt. San Antonio Gardens, our employees play an important role in creating a welcoming and supportive community for residents. Their dedication, compassion, and willingness to help others are part of what makes The Gardens such a special place to live and work. This year, we are proud to celebrate Alma Aguilar, Administrative Assistant at Oak Tree Lodge, as she marks 10 years of service at The Gardens. Alma’s journey began as a Ward Clerk in Magnolia Grove before transitioning to her current role at Oak Tree Lodge. Throughout her time at The Gardens, she has embraced opportunities to learn new skills, take on different responsibilities, and support residents and colleagues in a variety of ways. Her experience includes training in resident assistance, medical transportation, and medication assistance. Having worked across different shifts, Alma has gained valuable insight into the community’s daily operations and the importance of teamwork. “I enjoy being busy and working with both the staff and residents. It’s good to learn different capacities and feel like I can support in different areas.” For Alma, one of the most rewarding parts of working at The Gardens has been the relationships she has built over the years. She especially appreciates the generosity of residents and the meaningful connections that develop through everyday interactions. Reflecting on her decade of service, Alma recalls the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the most memorable experiences of her career. During a challenging and uncertain time, she witnessed employees across the community come together to support residents and one another. “When COVID struck, everyone worked as a team. It was all hands on deck, and everyone put in a lot of hours.” That spirit of teamwork and dedication continues to be an important part of Alma’s experience at The Gardens. Her willingness to learn, adapt, and lend a helping hand reflects the commitment our employees bring to the community each day. As Alma celebrates this milestone, we recognize not only her 10 years of service but also the positive impact she has made on residents and colleagues throughout her journey. Congratulations, Alma, on 10 wonderful years at Mt. San Antonio Gardens! Thank you for your dedication, flexibility, and commitment to making The Gardens a welcoming place for everyone. [...] Read more...
October 20, 2026What makes Mt. San Antonio Gardens such a special place to work? We went straight to the people who know it best: our employees! We asked our team members to share what they enjoy most about working at The Gardens, and the response was inspiring. From the meaningful relationships they build with residents and coworkers to the supportive environment, opportunities for growth, and sense of community, we received 100 heartfelt reasons that reflect what makes The Gardens more than just a workplace. Each response offers a glimpse into the people, experiences, and connections that make our community so special. Here are 100 reasons our employees love being part of The Gardens family! They push me to be best version of myself for me and the residents. Thank you for pushing me to go back to school! It is an honor to be in the presence of a retired community; we get to learn from experts and professionals. Competitive pay, Employee Appreciation, Employee parties. Bonuses and scholarship opportunities. Being a Server aids me in becoming more communicative and talkative. With my salary, it is enough for me to support myself and my family. It makes me happy working with the residents. I’ve learned a lot in the kitchen. My supervisor cares about me as a person. Being there for the residents who feel alone. I enjoy listening to the residents share their life experiences when they were younger. Spending time with residents; I don’t have grandparents, so I feel happy to be around them. I get to work with people who genuinely care about the residents and each other. Consistent feedback and pay increases. Working here provides a sense of purpose. Mutual respect brings happiness to all. Special events and celebrations are opportunities to spend time with residents. Feels like Family. I like feeding the koi fish. I like that there is order and that people work together well. The feeling of community flows through the Gardens with residents and employees. Management is always flexible and accommodating. I love my job because we get to interact with residents often. I feel happy and blessed to be employed at MSAG. I get to talk to many retired senior professionals. Peaceful place to work. The scenery around the gardens and all the gardens. They give me the tools and supplies to do my job. Fun working with good people at such a great facility. How the Gardens appreciate their employees. The innovative culture. Compassionate environment. My ideas are heard and valued. I feel supported to make my ideas materialize. I enjoy developing strong relationships with the residents and their families I enjoy it when residents are excited to see me and tell me about something fun that happens in their life. Not a lot of turnover. Get to work, and it’s the same great people. Engaging with the residents to do therapy exercises with me. Working with a competent team I can trust. Opportunities for career growth. Being appreciated by the residents. Learning about different interesting facts about residents’ backgrounds. Learning new skills and hobbies from residents. All the fun events scheduled for employees and family events. Educational scholarships. They helped pay for my college. I enjoy the constant day-to-day differences in my shift. The beautiful flowers. We get to help people; their smiles make it all worth it. This position serves God. I love the beautiful environment and the hummingbirds, butterflies, and trees. The ability to customize resident care based on their preferences. I love that the residents are welcoming and respectful. I like the variety of beautiful plant life; they give a nice view while working. I love the lizards and hearing the birds. I admire the leadership approach. I love the opportunities to help residents, interact with them, and make them smile. The activities provided for residents make it a nice place to work. Working with nice people helps make it a good day. I love interacting with all residents. I love the friendly staff and the residents. I like that I get to work early hours; this allows me to enjoy more time with my family. Great communication with all staff and residents, which makes me feel appreciated. Building meaningful relationships and being a part of a wonderful place. I like the professionalism and resident dedication. Getting to know residents and how they enjoy our services. The Gardens listens to and respects employees. We have every type of equipment for the residents. Dollar-for-dollar matching of my retirement funds. Grateful for the kindness of the Gardens, residents, and staff. I have made lifelong friendships at the Gardens; my co-workers are family. The environment is very welcoming! Learning and growing from Staff. Collaboration with staff and residents. The residents’ pets. We have amazing residents. Campus is absolutely beautiful. Love my UCC Pension. Relationships are positive amongst residents/staff. Great benefits. Great programs for staff. Over 900 beautiful trees on campus. The landscape and koi fish. The beautiful environment. The cute garden swag. The karaoke at Magnolia Grove. Appreciation Day, Benefits, and Teamwork. Homemade food at meetings. Residents, other employees, and the look of the Gardens. The beautiful scenery and the teamwork. Stability Serving the elderly community is my passion. It’s never a dull moment here. I enjoy MSAG, the residents, and co-workers. Celebrating birthdays and special milestones with co-workers. The smiles we receive from residents. The beautiful view as I walk through the campus. Seeing the Gardens change and evolve. Relationships I have created with the team and our birthday meals. Gaining wisdom and life perspective; feeling like I have a great purpose in life. The butterflies and birds. Feeling accepted and needed. Co-workers and knowing I am making a difference. I love to serve people, and of course, my fellow workers are great people. I love that the Gardens takes care of Employees (e.g., Scholarships). I like that the Gardens is so accommodating for schedules. Having a supportive environment. I love to see the resident artwork. The caliber of the staff in leadership is truly remarkable. Deep respect, love and loyalty. Restaurant-quality food at the Employee Café. Stress-free, great residents, friendly staff, lovely campus, and serving people. Great company to work for. [...] Read more...
September 2, 2026You couldn’t ask for a better address Nestled right between the vibrant city of Pomona and the charming college town of Claremont, where exciting, engaging activities are always just around the corner, waiting for you to explore and enjoy. The Gardens is close by: The Monthly Art Walk — every second Saturday in the Pomona Arts Colony, the Art Walk brings crowds to the streets, with galleries hosting artist receptions, shops, studios, and restaurants staying open late. The Fox Theater — this restored 1931 Art Deco landmark has been fully modernized into a live music and entertainment complex hosting nationally touring acts, film festivals, community events, and fundraisers. It’s a beautiful, historic venue right in the heart of downtown. The Cal Poly Pomona Farm Store — this one is a hidden gem. It’s a beloved local spot on the Cal Poly campus where you can shop for artisan foods, fresh produce, homemade jams, jellies, honey, and even student-made wine and ice cream. Relaxed, scenic, and unique. AMOCA — the American Museum of Ceramic Art champions the art, history, and creation of ceramics through rotating exhibitions, collections, and studio programming — a wonderful, unhurried museum experience. The Arts Colony itself — it’s a historic neighborhood dedicated to the creative arts, education, and urban living, with public art, festivals, exhibitions, performances, and diverse dining. The Claremont Packing House — a historic citrus-packing facility turned food hall and entertainment hub, right in the heart of the Village, with more than 50 artisan stores, studios, galleries, and restaurants. It hosts a weekly farmers’ and artisans’ market on Sundays and a gallery event every Friday night. California Botanic Garden — an 86-acre living museum and the largest botanic garden dedicated entirely to California native plants, with a curated collection of more than 22,000 plants, some of which are rare or endangered. There’s even a seasonal Butterfly Pavilion every spring and a gentle “Yoga in the Garden” program. The Folk Music Center — part shop, part museum, and owned by the family of Grammy-winner Ben Harper, this beloved Claremont landmark has been a gathering place for music lovers since 1958, with handmade instruments, global artifacts, live performances, and monthly open mic nights. The Claremont Village itself — a walkable college town at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, with over 80 restaurants, independent boutiques, day spas, and bicycle-friendly streets. Easy to explore at your own pace. Multiple art museums — the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College, the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, and the Claremont Museum of Art at the historic Depot, are all must-stops for art lovers. For more on the two cities, hear it from two local team members who grew up here. [...] Read more...
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