Meet Annie Bresnahan!

During this season of giving, we caught up with Annie Bresnahan, one of Archway’s newer additions to the Supportive Services team! She works with residents at Flats at Two Creeks, where she gleefully shares her joy since joining our team. 

“Have you always worked in this field of Supportive Services or social work?” I asked her.

“I’ve worked more broadly in healthcare for 20 years. I started as a CNA, but that progressed to hospice care, social work, and managing volunteer departments.” 

I ask Annie what originally attracted her to the field of healthcare. She tells me that the initial draw was more practical. When she became pregnant and had healthcare needs that exposed her to the industry, it made her realize how essential it was.

“I could see that healthcare is something that is always going to be needed as an industry, so from a job perspective it was a reliable direction to choose.

“But also, being a single mom, I was very grateful for the people in healthcare that really made me feel supported and cared for. That is just as important as the medical care you receive.”

It is easy to see that Annie is a person who is motivated by her deep care and concern for others. It makes sense that most of her working career consisted of positions where she could genuinely tend to the needs of others and make them feel supported and loved.

When I asked her if she has always had this heart for others, she quickly responded ‘yes.’

“I love spoiling people,” she says, stating as a personal mantra, “people deserve to be spoiled. They are worth it.” She gives me examples dating back to elementary school when she regularly volunteered with her school’s special education program, working with fellow classmates with autism.

“When you spoil someone and show them that they matter and are loved, it gives them the confidence and ability to be independent. I see it all the time in my work today – even just showing up to resident events and experiencing human connection can result in the confidence to tend to things in residents’ own lives. I’ll see residents do a painting class one day then show up to my office the next day wanting to pay bills or schedule doctor’s appointments.”

Annie stresses that it doesn’t have to be life changing. The beauty of giving, whether it’s your time or your resources, is that a little bit goes a long way.

“I think we tend to complicate giving, like it always has to be a big production or move mountains. But on days where I’m feeling low, even a simple compliment can remind me that I’m here and that I matter; I am enough. With that understanding, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

For Annie, human connection is at the heart of giving. The true gift is making others feel valuable and cared for. It is more essential than any physical gift or time spent. During this season of giving, take the time to spoil others, whether it’s a small compliment, spending quality time, or giving monetarily to others.