SOULcial Salute December 2024
Sara Rubio, Housekeeping Supervisor
Summit Place Senior Campus, Eden Prairie
Housekeeping By Any Other Name Always Keeps Things Sweet
Sara’s title was Caretaker when she began with Summit Place’s sister property, Village Shores in Richfield, in 2000. Today she goes by Housekeeping Supervisor. Either way, the exceptionally good work that she and her staff deliver is key to keeping the bloom on rose at Summit Place.
“Both my parents and grandparents had strong work ethics.” Sara explained. It is evident that trait carried straight through to her. She went on to say “We regularly fill in open time from a list of deep cleaning and detailing projects. There is always something to be cleaned around the building!”
It’s A Family Affair
In the early days Sara brought in her first husband to the maintenance department at Village Shores. Then she brought her dad in as well as he entered retirement. Eventually her sister Lia joined the foodservice department at Summit Place. Finally, she met her second husband, a fellow employee at Summit Place.
It all adds up to a lot of great work ethic in the community.
Home Is Where The Heart Is
Having “a heart” for working with older adults is an unofficial requisite.
Sara came by that heart early growing up in Apple Valley. She had a special bond with her grandmother and called her after school most days. “I loved my grandparents!” she enthused. “They were always there for me. We had a hip granny that liked to go out and do lots of fun things! They took my sister and I on our first plane ride. A trip to Disney World.” Sara laughed.
Housekeeping And Caregiving In Equal Parts
Not only does Sara like cleaning she also loves the relationships with the residents. “I like making things look nice and I think of myself as a caregiver. Getting to know the residents is the best part of the work.” Sara explained.
“They allow us into their most personal space. It is so important that we give them dignity.” Sara went on to explain that she views the whole community as one big house with many rooms and many family members. “I see these folks almost more than my own family!” Sara added.
Housekeeping And Caregiving At Scale
While “having the heart” for this work is key, succeeding in that delivery in a large environment takes serious skills. Sara’s organization and dedication was recognized early on.
As a result management readily left her alone to handle the apartment “turns”, a crucial task in supporting sales with lovely units to show. As a result, it was no surprise Sara was tapped to help prepare and open Summit Place in 2003.
Sara began almost single handedly by keeping everything pristine through the construction wrap up. As more needs arose she kept answering the call. She took on receptionist duties for sales. Then new residents wanted housekeeping services. Sara automatically managed the business side of that with scheduling, hiring, training and managing the needed staff. And still does so to this very day.
Success Begets Success
In her supervisory duties Sara leads by example. Her training lasts about four weeks and she has always worked right alongside her crew. It makes for good training and mentoring.
During the pandemic, while some temp cleaning services were necessary for common spaces Sara and one staff managed all the apartments themselves. Now she’s back to her crew of four. Sara’s skilled supervision is marked by instances of current staff inviting people they know to come join the company. Always a good sign.
Above and Beyond
The culture Sara has created around housekeeping for residents and staff is notable. Consequently, beyond keeping the place looking “mahh-velous” everyone wants to pitch in on the holiday decorating and un-decorating. Sometimes residents even help with some common space dusting. And while this atmosphere generates occasional tips, Sara always turns them in for the common good.
On The Lighter Side
Once while cleaning a hallway a “tough customer” came out of her apartment all a twitter having gotten her curling iron inextricably tangled in her hair. The only solution was to help her cut it out. Sara was anxious about the fallout. It led to a necessary new short cut from the stylist. Luckily all the woman’s friends raved about it. Happy ending. Phew!
Finally, Sara finished by saying “We aim to make them comfy in their own home.”