She’s the amazing lady at the front desk who welcomes every visitor and vendor at the entrance lobby at Residences at Deer Creek. She is the official representative of Residences at Deer Creek in that beautiful lobby. She seems to know everything and everyone and if she doesn’t, she’ll find out for you A.S.A.P. That’s our Gigi, who lives the true definition of a Lead Concierge, service and hospitality, setting the tone for excellence.
Gigi says she has the nickname because “ …everyone in Munster knows I cheered my kids and grands at whatever function they participated in—from baseball, to band, to dance—whatever they do at school, I’m there!,” Janis LaFond proudly explains. Accustomed to being busy constantly, Gigi says she was bored with retirement and now finds it fun working full time at Residences. “Every day brings something new and above all I love the residents. I try to bring a smile to my face and their faces every day.” As Lead Concierge, Gigi is responsible for answering phone inquiries, making sure families are connected to their loved ones or staff, computer data entry and organization, and other clerical tasks. She is also a first-line of safety in the building, making sure visitors and vendors sign in, screening for covid and being sure residents sign in and out when leaving on their own or with family.
“ I worry about residents if they aren’t feeling well or at the hospital, “ she adds, “Residences is like home—I’m invested in the residents. I sometimes have to put on a hard shell, trying to keep a little emotional distance, but really I’m soft on the inside,” she laughs. Gigi is used to working with seniors. She was an Assistant Property Manager at a senior living apartment complex in Chicago with 214 units. She understands how to brainstorm solutions to problems, troubleshoot, and work with everyone from residents to building engineers.
Experience for Gigi also includes retail and manufacturing. She’s worked for Sears and TJ Max; as a secretary in engineering and a plant coordinator for manufacture of wheels for railroad. Gigi is glad she had such diverse opportunities and, in fact, recommends that to young career-seekers. “Don’t be afraid to take a chance; be diverse, be able to cope with changes,” Gigi advises. “It’s important to figure out who you are, what you want to do and not listen to others. Be true to yourself—their advice and sometimes friendship can be short-lived.”
Find her at her cottage in Monticello whenever she has spare time; usually sharing it with her three grown children and their children who live in the area. Gigi is a nickname for Grandma, by the way, and rather perfect for someone who cares about others as much as our Lead Concierge, Janis LaFond!
Interested in sharing your welcoming skills with residents and families at Residences Senior Living? Check out the opportunities, part-time and full-time, on our website www.ResidencesSeniorLiving.com