In a field where change is often the norm, the Claremont Group Home stands out for something increasingly rare: decades of consistency. For the staff and residents who call Claremont home, longevity provides a foundation of trust, stability, and family.

Sylvia, Gale, and Donna have each spent 27 years working at Claremont. Gauthie has been there for 26 years, and Shaniqua for 13. Together, they represent more than a century of shared experience under one roof. It’s a remarkable commitment, and one that has deeply shaped the lives of the six residents they support, many of whom have lived at Claremont for that entire span of time.

“We’ve grown up together,” Sylvia says. “These guys are our family.”

That sense of family is woven into everyday life at Claremont. Staff members talk about watching residents grow, change, and thrive over the years and about how those long-standing relationships allow them to provide care that is deeply personal and intuitive. Knowing someone for decades means understanding their routines, preferences, joys, and challenges without needing words. For residents, that consistency brings comfort, security, and a sense of belonging.

When asked what has kept them together for so long, the staff point not to any single factor, but to a culture that works. Getting along with one another; strong, supportive management; and a team that shows up for each other day after day.

“We really can’t believe it ourselves sometimes,” says Gale, who like the rest of her teammates admits that she never expected to work in one place for as long as she’s been at Claremont. “But we all just get along really well, we’re very close.”

That stability has ripple effects beyond the home itself. Families of the residents have deep trust and close relationships with staff, built over years of shared milestones and daily care. Staff members’ own children have grown up alongside Claremont’s residents, too. Kids who once visited after school now, as adults, see the residents as an extension of their own family.

Retention doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects an environment where people feel valued, supported, and proud of the work they do. And amid the chaos of a world that often feels like it’s moving too fast, the team at Claremont is a reminder of the quiet strength of staying, and of building something lasting through care and connection. Claremont’s story is a powerful testament to The Arc of Essex County’s commitment to its staff and to creating a workplace that feels like home.

For additional information about The Arc of Essex County’s residential services, contact The Arc’s Chief Program Officer Rebecca Lorusso via email at rlorusso@arcessex.org or by calling (973) 535-1181 ext. 1270.