After several years under the skilled management of Kathleen Waits, the position of Director of Cottonwood Villa Apartments is being undertaken by Louise Harlan.
Harlan and her husband, Dan, settled in Crofton in the summer of 2020 after living in Arizona and traveling throughout the northwestern United States.
She began her job as director on March 21, 2022, bringing with her many years of secretarial and clerical skills as well as several years of experience in health care as a surgical assistant. Harlan feels her previous work history provides her with the proficiency necessary to serve the residents of Cottonwood Villa.
Harlan will have many responsibilities at Cottonwood Villa which include assessment of individuals for affordable housing, making sure that the physical and financial requirements for housing are met, directing residents to social services when appropriate, making sure the needs of each resident are met, and maintaining a current waiting list of those who apply for housing. All of her duties are defined by federal guidelines.
She said that she feels a connection to the residents she serves, most of whom are age sixty-two and older and going through a transition in life. She acknowledges that her profession of surgery assistant was becoming physically demanding, particularly during the peak months of Covid-19. Her new responsibilities enable her to continue to exercise compassion while she continues to grow spiritually, mentally and physically.
Harlan looks forward to continuing the long time rituals of outgoing director Kathleen Waits who initiated a morning coffee hour, sending out birthday greetings and holiday treats, delivering meals prepared at the senior center and generally going the extra mile for the residents. She plans to continue to plan activities which help maintain a strong sense of community as she gets better acquainted with the Cottonwood residents as well as people in the Crofton community.
People in Crofton will still see Harlan’s friendly face at People’s Grocery where she plans to continue part time, and in regard to her new position as the Villa Director, she said, “I could not be more happy about this job. It’s the most comfortable job I’ve ever had.”