Written by Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling
From after-school kitchen shifts to nursing leadership—growth made possible by support, hard work and a timely scholarship
Allison Strause likes to joke that she’s “a lifer,” but she says it with the kind of pride that comes from building a career in a place that feels like home. Today, Allison works second shift in the Springwood Skilled Nursing Household at Garden Spot Village—caring for the 16 residents who live there, supporting her team, and doing work she never would have imagined when she first walked through the doors as a teen.
Her journey with Garden Spot Village began in the summer of 2002, when she was still a student at Garden Spot High School. She started part-time in East Kitchen, serving Garden Spot’s newly expanded health care areas. Like many students, she was focused on finishing school and earning spending money. After graduating in 2003, she continued in East Kitchen, working full-time.
Over time, she realized that her draw to Garden Spot was the residents she served. Even though the kitchen role didn’t allow for long conversations, she found herself wanting to spend more time with the people she was serving. When she learned Garden Spot Village offered Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training, it sparked something. She shadowed in caregiving, and that short experience confirmed what she had been feeling: she wanted a role that would let her build relationships and make a difference in residents’ daily lives.
Garden Spot Village didn’t just encourage that next step—it helped make it possible. The organization paid for Allison’s training and her hourly wage in the classroom. That investment mattered. It turned an interest into a plan, and a plan into a career path.
By 2012, Allison had earned her CNA credential. She would spend the next ten years as a CNA—years that shaped how she approaches nursing to this day. She learned what excellent bedside care looks like: noticing small changes, responding quickly and advocating for residents’ needs. Those experiences gave her confidence she still relies on—because when you’ve done hands-on work, you’re comfortable stepping in wherever help is needed.
Eventually, Allison started thinking about what it would take to become a licensed practical nurse. When she shared her goal, she found practical support from Tara Kuenzli, Garden Spot’s Director of Nursing. Tara scheduled her shifts around her school schedule so she could balance full-time school and full-time work.
When she learned about Garden Spot’s scholarship program, she found support to complete the application and secure a scholarship that covered her last semester at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).
That support wasn’t a one-time thing—it was a culture. Over the years, Allison has experienced Garden Spot Village as a place where people look out for one another. “It feels like family,” she says. “The environment is great—the people I’ve worked with through the years have been supportive.”
Allison graduated from HACC in December 2023 and has served as LPN since then. She appreciates how the role lets her stay connected to residents while also strengthening the whole care team. She still provides direct care at times, but she also spends a lot of her day supporting CNAs—answering questions, jumping in when things get busy, and helping ensure residents receive consistent, thoughtful care.
She credits her years as a CNA for making her a stronger nurse. “Having the experience as a CNA allows me to be comfortable to jump in and help at any point,” Allison says. Those years weren’t just a stepping-stone—they were the training ground that shaped how she leads and supports others.
As a nursing student Allison received an honor that reflected exactly what colleagues and residents have come to know about her: she is an advocate. She earned HACC’s Award for Patient Advocacy, presented to “a graduate of the nursing program that the teachers and staff felt demonstrated excellence in customer service, provided education to patients regarding health promotion and safety and collaborated with the multidisciplinary team in planning appropriate interventions for patient needs.” Allison says she felt truly honored to receive it—and she sees it as a reminder that the best care is never only clinical. It’s personal, consistent and rooted in respect.
Looking back, Allison sees a clear thread running through her journey: every step forward was built on relationships—first with residents, then with mentors and coworkers who encouraged her to keep going. From East Kitchen to CNA training, and from years of caregiving to becoming an LPN, she has grown alongside Garden Spot Village. And when the scholarship helped her cross the finish line in her final semester, it turned determination into a diploma—and a long-time employee into an even stronger resource for her team. She says, “I am truly grateful and blessed by the opportunities that I have been given at Garden Spot Village and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with my job.”
Allison’s story is proof that when an organization invests in its people, careers don’t just happen. They’re built—one supported step at a time.
Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling for Garden Spot Communities, brings a wealth of marketing and storytelling experience. She is the managing editor for Destination Magazine as well as the co-host for Garden Spot’s Purpose in Retirement Podcast.