Happy Family gathered at The Blake at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana

Couple dining at The Blake at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana

Two beautiful ladies playing jenga at The Blake at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana

Resident walking with assistant at The Blake at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana

Ladies enjoying themselves at The Blake at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana

Residents sitting outside having a meal together at a The Blake at Lafayette community

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Resident playing a game of chess at a The Blake at Lafayette community

Resident playing with a younger family member at a The Blake at Lafayette community

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Jennifer was born and raised in Lafayette, LA. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a Minor in Business. She is the mom of two boys and has been married to her husband Mark for 20 years. She comes to The Blake with over 10 years of experience in senior care. She worked in Assisted Living for 3 years as a Sales Manager, working closely with the operational side of the community. She also has 8 years of Home Health experience, with roles as a Territory Manager and the Director of Sales. Her passion for Seniors began in 2012 after she lost her Grandmother to Alzheimer's disease. Seeing first-hand how she was cared for while living in Assisted Living prompted her to want to be in an Assisted Living community, making a difference in people’s lives daily. Jennifer is honored to join The Blake at Lafayette as the Executive Director. She is truly looking forward to continuing to provide the highest level of care and compassion to the residents and families at The Blake. Helping families navigate through different stages of life with their loved ones is so rewarding to her. " I believe that every day is a gift," says Jennifer, " And it is my goal to make sure that our residents are provided with an exceptional quality of life daily. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with friends and family. She also loves attending community events and volunteering for non-profit organizations.

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Kim St. Blanc is the Director of Sales for The Blake at Lafayette and has been in this position since 2015 when The Blake opened its doors. She has lived most of her life in Lafayette. She was a caregiver for her mother who had dementia and, because of this experience, she understands the needs of both a resident and family member.

With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration, Kim has successfully helped hundreds navigate their senior years. She loves people, interacting with them, and helping them. “Part of my daily mantra is to ‘Be the Light’, says St. Blanc, “and I feel that I bring solutions and guidance when helping others every day. I love welcoming new residents and their families into our Blake home! It gives me great joy to see our residents happy and enjoying their lives!”

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Michelle Rather is a seasoned LPN of over 15 years, with over 31 years of management in Healthcare. Her expertise is the Geriatric Population in an Assisted Living setting, with extensive experience in Home Health, Skilled Nursing and Office Management. Michelle’s mother lived four years with Alzheimer’s which explains why Memory Care residents hold a very special place in her heart. Her greatest accomplishment is raising her one and only son. He is her world and she is excited to relocate to be able to spend quality time with him. When Michelle is not working, you will find her on the tennis court or spending time with family and friends. Michelle is happy to be on The Blake of Lafayette team.

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Kelli is originally from Golden Meadow, Louisiana. She moved to the Acadia area when she met and married her husband 15 years ago. She received her undergrad degree in interdisciplinary studies from Nicholls State University and a graduate degree in Health Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. She has over 20 years in patient-facing healthcare before transitioning to administration. Before this role with The Blake, she devoted her career to the quality and compliance sector of healthcare. In her previous role, she worked with the elderly and thoroughly enjoyed her time getting to know each of them. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and was recently accepted to the Doctor of Health Administration program at Oklahoma State University. She believes in health equity, that every human being should receive the highest level of healthcare no matter what. She looks forward to being able to form valuable relationships with the senior living community at The Blake. While not at work, she enjoys traveling with her family and teaching Sunday school.

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LaShonda was born and raised in Church Point, LA, where she graduated from Church Point High School. From a young age, she was passionate about nursing, particularly inspired by her experiences visiting her mother, Sybil, at work at the Acadia St. Landry Guest Home while participating in school activities. While pursuing her nursing education, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

With over 24 years of nursing and management experience, she is a Licensed Practical Nurse, a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and a Licensed Insurance Sales Agent. LaShonda holds a degree in Management with a Concentration in Health Care, along with a certification in Human Resources. LaShonda has a strong background in the Assisted Living Industry, having served as the Assisted Wellness Director, Wellness Director, and Executive Director. Her teams have achieved remarkable success, breaking excellence barriers and reaching unprecedented goals for the company.

LaShonda has been married to her husband, Alex, for 21 years. Together, they have two daughters, a son, and four grandkids who affectionately call her "LeeLee." She is dedicated to supporting the Nursing Department in providing exceptional care to residents. In her free time, you can find her on the golf course cheering for her daughter, reading, spending time with family, and helping elderly community members access resources to enhance their quality of life.

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Shannon is a native of Lafayette and a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Mass Communications and Elementary Education, a minor in English, and a Library Science certification. Shannon was an elementary classroom teacher and school librarian for 18 years. As an educator, she experienced fulfillment and joy in working with children and in service to others.

Always being close to her grandparents, Shannon developed a special place in her heart for the elderly. She joined The Blake at Lafayette family in 2019 as a part-time assistant director of activities and evening concierge. A short time thereafter, she accepted the full-time concierge position. Developing relationships with residents and family members further fostered her love for being part of the assisted living community.

Shannon is honored to be the Director of Activities and feels her past experiences have provided her with the tools to offer residents opportunities to thrive holistically while nurturing their interests and allowing them to share their talents. “Working with seniors is a privilege. They are truly amazing and so inspirational to me.”

When not working, Shannon loves spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and playing with her dog, Sammy.

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Chante was born and raised In St. Martinville, Louisiana. From cooking to decorating, Chante and her sister grew up helping their mother with all the preparations for an events at their local event hall. Of the experience, she says, "Before creating a single special event that cost thousands of dollars, family and friends got together and pitched in to create magical memories." Because she was a kid, she wasn't paid, but she learned to remain humble and grateful through the process. This was the beginning of her passion for coordinating programs: helping her mother.

Chante later went to school in Early Education, but it wasn’t until she found herself taking care of the elderly as a CNA that she discovered the need to do more. Planning person-centered activities was something she has always done through her daily routine as a CNA. When a Dementia Program Coordinator position opened at her previous job, she found herself in taking over that position. The role was "honestly meant for me," she says. "That road brought me in many different directions, and finally where I am today."

Dementia is something that she has firsthand experience with, as both her grandmothers were diagnosed. She sees them every day in our residents, and it is her love and her passion that pushes her to strive to make every program purposeful.

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Mike was born and raised in Lafayette, LA. He graduated from St. Martinville Senior High School and joined the Marine Corps right after graduation. He moved to Atlanta in 1999 to further develop his food & beverage skills. While there, he had the amazing opportunity to work with great mentors. Mike became the regional chef and general manager of multiple locations. He moved back to Lafayette in 2009 to raise his family in Cajun Country. Mike has 30 years of culinary and restaurant experience, mostly with Copeland’s of New Orleans. His restaurant career started in 1995, and he never looked back. Mike’s passion is food, and he enjoys putting smiles on people’s faces with the meals he creates.

Mike is honored to join The Blake at Lafayette as the Director of Dining Services. “I feel working with the residents of The Blake is my calling”. Mike is looking forward to providing extraordinary service and food to everyone here. “Everyone loves to eat, and it is my passion to provide the best meals possible”.

Mike has 5 children with the youngest 3 all being girls. He loves being a “girl dad”! Mike and his wife Grace have been married for 11 years. Mike loves sports, especially baseball, which he played his whole life.

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