The Chelsea will be very Peaceful, promises Lisa Corrado
As published in Clifton Magazine, August 22, 2020
As construction slowed then stopped during the pandemic, projects like the soon-to-open Chelsea at Clifton paused.
But that all changed weeks ago and construction, landscaping and the entire build-out are nearly done, shaping a new senior community on Valley Rd. near Route 46 that offers various levels of living options for seniors.
The addition of a tax-paying parcel in Clifton is great long term news for the city but what’s going on now is equally important: job creation.
While seniors have been placing deposits on living quarters, Executive Director Lisa Corrado said a July virtual job fair that not only offered employment opportunities but careers in the burgeoning senior care field attracted many qualified applicants.
“We had a tremendous response and see that the job pool here is deep with highly skilled people,” Corrado said. “We are offering new employment in Clifton and that to me is outstanding. I think that is especially good news in an economy that is anything but stable.”
A crucial qualification Corrado seeks in applicants in the senior healthcare industry, she said, is the ability and desire to care.
“You have to have a caring heart … and it gives an option to allow local job seekers an outlet to be able to give everything that they can into an organization and to people,” said Corrado, who has been with Chelsea for two years and in the industry for two decades.
The Clifton location is part of Chelsea Senior Living which owns senior living communities across New Jersey and New York. Corrado said each Chelsea residence provides quality care for aging adults and peace of mind for their families and loved ones.
Corrado went on to say that any job opportunity in the building is rewarding and that helping the seniors is “almost like your second paycheck.” Whether it is someone taking a moment to smile or thanking you, it feels special. “These are things that can’t be bought,” said Corrado.
As they prepare for a fall opening, Corrado said that she is confident in their ability to keep their residents and staff safe, saying she feels safe working there. Early measures that were taken included distributing iPads and offering virtual tours of the building.
“Certainly we’re hoping sooner rather than later there will be a vaccine,” she said. “However, we’re very prepared at The Chelsea if there is a resurgence. As what’s known about the virus changes, our policies reflect that.”
“We are preparing to make sure our residents and staff are safe,” Corrado added. “That’s paramount.”
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, Corrado received résumés and people came directly to the marketing trailer since November of 2019. Things slowed, of course, during the early days of the pandemic.
Corrado added that hiring will begin in August and training will continue through the early fall. Residents may be moving in later this year.
“Clifton is a really wonderful community with neighborhoods within the city,” she said. “The Chelsea will be very peaceful,” Corrado promised with a laugh, flashing the peace sign as we concluded our visit.
