Cathedral Square Selected as a Top Workplace in Vermont for 2024
Written by Dan D’Ambrosio, Business Reporter for the Burlington Free Press.
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT — Cathedral Square has been selected as a Top Workplace in Vermont for 2024.
The organization was founded in 1977 by St. Paul's Cathedral in Burlington to address a shortage of affordable senior housing, a situation that Cathedral Square Chief Executive Officer Kim Fitzgerald said still exists today. Still, Cathedral Square has been doing its part to solve the problem for the past 47 years.
"We now have 28 properties in Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties," Fitzgerald said. "We serve just over 1,300 people. Of those 28 properties, 26 are for independent living and two of them are long-term care communities."
One of those long-term care communities is Memory Care at Allen Brook, with 14 residents, which Fitzgerald said is "truly affordable."
"We are 100% Medicaid and 100% Section 8 for the rent," she said. "Truly affordable and memory care don't usually go together. You can spend $12,000 to $15,000 a month (on memory care). We have a wait list. We could build 10 more of those communities if we could afford it and had the staff."
Cathedral Square wants to care for its staff as well as its residents
Speaking of staff, Fitzgerald said her mission is to care for Cathedral Square's employees just like the organization cares for its residents.
"People who come to work for Cathedral Square want to make a difference in people's lives," she said. "We are making a difference in people's lives. It's also about supporting each other."
Fitzgerald said she cultivates a culture of family and togetherness on her staff.
"Living that work-life balance is important to us," she said. "We have an active wellness committee that makes sure people are supporting each other from a health perspective. I'm also proud of the fact that we have a 20-plus club of people who have worked with the organization for more than 20 years."
The 20-plus club as six members, including Fitzgerald, who takes everyone out to lunch every year.
"It's a time for me to connect with them and find out what they see has changed over 20 years that they like and don't like," Fitzgerald said. "I value them so much for their longevity."
Fitzgerald will celebrate 25 years with Cathedral Square Corporation this fall. She has been CEO for 10 of those years.
"I feel very honored and blessed," Fitzgerald said. "We've all had difficult times. Being there for each other, supporting each other and caring for each other is what we do for residents and the people we serve. It's important to do that within our staff as well."