A Calling to Connection: Meet Melissa Barnett
as a pastry chef, and spent years volunteering at church. Along the way, she realized she was drawn to older adults, their stories, and the opportunity to make a difference in everyday life. When the nonprofit where she worked was sold, she searched for mission-driven work closer to home. Park Place was ten minutes away. She has now been here three and a half years. “I like mission-based work,” Melissa says. “The main source is the residents. If we know them, we know how to program.” That philosophy shapes everything. Socials help neighbors become friends. Group activities invite connection. For residents who prefer quieter engagement, Melissa arranges regular one-on-one visits to be sure no one is overlooked. In skilled nursing and rehab, she helps document participation and goals as part of each person’s care
plan. The approach is holistic, supporting emotional and social well-being alongside physical health. Families notice the difference. “In almost 30 years, I have never seen so much family involvement,” she says. Visits are frequent. Holidays are full. Loved ones often share how relieved they feel seeing someone who once spent long days alone now surrounded by conversation and community. Melissa is quick to credit her coworkers. When asked what makes Park Place different, she says, “The team,” without hesitation. She sees people step in for each other, share responsibility, and work together in ways she rarely experienced elsewhere. She also meets weekly with partners in Independent Living to help residents who began their journey there continue to feel connected. Outside of work, Melissa and her husband stay busy raising
their two active sons. Milo, 17, has found his passion in theater, while 13-year-old Roscoe would much rather be on the soccer field. When she’s not cheering from the audience or the sidelines, Melissa enjoys tending to her garden on her one-acre lot, getting lost in a good book, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. Now that her boys are getting older, she’s rediscovering a little more time for herself. Faith has guided every chapter of her career, and she believes it led her exactly where she is meant to be. At Park Place, she sees residents settle into the community, families gain peace of mind, and staff members show up for one another every day. For Melissa, that is what life enrichment is all about.
MELISSA BARNETT Life Enrichment Manager, Park Place of Elmhurst
Ask Melissa Barnett what a typical day looks like, and she will tell you, “It’s almost impossible to describe.” As Life Enrichment Manager, her day may include required documentation, care plan meetings, one-on-one visits, or a community celebration. She might help someone set up a Roku, get a library card, or register to vote by mail. No two days are alike, but each one begins with the same priority—the residents. Melissa did not originally set out to work in senior living. She studied to become an English teacher, later trained
6 Volume 1 | 2026
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