Cornerstone Assisted Living director of health services Antonia “Toni” Dahlin still remembers the day her career in senior living began in January of 2004.

Since then, she has grown alongside Cassia communities, and as a result, she has met, cared for and connected with countless residents, families and team members.

“You have no idea how many people I’ve connected with working for Cassia,” Toni says. “… The connections you make, you don’t know when they will come full circle again.”

Toni has met influential people every step along the way. She began as a CNA while in nursing school; in time, she became a registered nurse, assistant director of nursing, director of nursing, and eventually director of health services at Cornerstone.

A Positive Culture at Cornerstone

Toni appreciates the culture created for residents and employees alike. She believes it begins with housing director Julia Graupner.

“She’s hands on,” Toni says. “When someone digs in the trenches with you, it makes a great leader.”

That mentality extends to the entire Cornerstone team.

“Leading by example is huge,” Toni says. “Cornerstone is all about that. No one says, ‘I’m too good to help someone else get things done.’ We’re a team and whatever needs to be done, we’re all here to join in and do that … It’s all-hands-on-deck when needed.”

Helping others can make a bigger difference than one realizes at the time.

“Sometimes people don’t realize when they help people, the impact they have on that person to do great things,” Toni says.

In her own life, she recalls the HR professional who encouraged her to pursue nursing, a moment that shaped the rest of her career. As a result, she now works to be that person for others.

The Reason for Staff Longevity

For those looking for assisted living in Plymouth, Minnesota, Cornerstone offers more than care; it offers community and continuity.

Like Toni, several Cornerstone employees have worked for Cassia for many years. Beyond a paycheck or benefits, Toni says Cornerstone provides a welcoming environment.

“We’re just more of a family here,” Toni says. “ … We can be real with each other. Employees say, ‘This is the first time I feel like I belong.’ We’re accepting of each other. That’s part of it. When you spend so much time at work, this becomes your family. We get the work done, but like to have fun, too.”

Getting to Know Residents

Before residents even move into Cornerstone Assisted Living, Toni takes the time to get to know them.

“I get to go out to their homes and do an initial assessment and find out more about them,” Toni says.

That benefits everyone when they move into the community, creating a personalized senior living experience.

“When they come to Cornerstone, it’s like they already have a friend here,” Toni says. “We’ll joke around. We’re not super serious. It’s a fun family and we like to laugh.”

A Faith-Based Focus

Toni says her faith plays an integral role in her decision to work for Cassia for so many years.

“When God is in your life and you think God has a purpose for you, it means something to work for a faith-based organization. That’s why I’ve stuck around,” Toni says. “I like being able to pray for people.”

She also appreciates that she can talk about her faith in a setting where people work to help people, rather than just collect a paycheck.

She believes God led her to Cornerstone.

“God brings people to where their calling is,” Toni says. “Cassia is a good company to work for. I really do like the people I work for, and I like the residents and their families.”