07/21/2025
A chance encounter has been described as a meeting or interaction that occurs unexpectedly, without any planned intention. These encounters are moments that turn the ordinary into something extraordinary and remind us of the mysteries of the universe. This week, I would like to introduce you to Karlene Josephs, Certified Nursing Assistant at the Hearth at Drexel. Karlene immigrated to the United States in 2015 and quickly found work as a home health aide. While waiting for the bus one day, she had a chance encounter with an employee from The Hearth at Drexel that changed the course of her career—and life—forever.
“She heard my accent and knew that I was from Jamaica,” Karlene explains. “She said ‘I work at The Hearth, and they are hiring. Would you like to get a job there?’”
After completing her CNA certification in 2018, Karlene walked into The Hearth and was hired immediately. What she found there among the staff and residents was so much more than a paycheck. She found a community rich with caring and compassion, qualities that Karlene embodies each day as she cares for her residents.
“I sing with them. I dance with them. They are my family. This is like home away from home for me,” she says.
The kindness and concern that Karlene shows her residents, along with her commitment to supporting and empathizing with others, represents the very best of Liberty’s core values. Karlene’s love for the entire Hearth community shines through in her testimonial, as does her appreciation for her co-workers and supportive management.
“If you are passionate about giving back, taking care of people who are not able to take care of themselves, if you need to grow—this is the right place for you to come,” she says. “The Hearth at Drexel is the best place for me. I will not give it up…. I hope to retire here by God’s grace.”
We are so fortunate that Karlene had that chance encounter all those years ago and decided to make The Hearth her home! So many of you have rich stories and are unsung heroes in your own right.
You can watch Karlene’s entire video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aABB_U67vsE
Thank you, Karlene, and everyone who puts “the heart in The Hearth.” And thanks to everyone at Liberty who exemplifies the kindness and care that make it a truly special place to be. All of you keep Liberty strong!
Meet Karlene, a dedicated CNA at The Hearth at Drexel, as she shares her heartfelt journey and what she loves most about caring for residents each day.Lookin...
