24 January 2026
Longevity in seniors’ living isn’t just about the residents; it’s also about the employees. Silvera employee Sozana Richards has been with the organization for 42 years and counting, making her Silvera’s second longest serving employee.
Sozana began her journey in seniors’ care in September 1983, joining Silvera’s former iteration, Metropolitan Calgary Foundation, as a housekeeper.
“I was a part-time floater for 13 months,” Sozana recalls. “Then in 1984, I started full time at Bow Valley community and have been here ever since.”
Over the years, Sozana has worn many hats – housekeeping, kitchen help, and as a Community Evening Attendant. “As a CEA, we do it all. Some shifts I make salad for dinner, do minor maintenance, cleaning, cooking, helping residents. Sometimes it gets very hectic, with 56 residents in the building.”
Year after year, Sozana says she continues working at Silvera because she has a soft spot for residents. “The residents are like my parents; I love them like my own family. Their faces light up when they see me. They hug me. I treat them all the same, they’re like my moms and dads. For me, seniors are a group of people I’ve always enjoyed being around.”
During her multi-decade career, Sozana has witnessed immense change at the organization. “When I started, everything was handwritten, now it’s all computerized. I used to go door-to-door collecting rents from people. It’s a completely different environment now. There are lots of different people, different buildings, different staff. Despite all the changes, I’ve always loved it here.”
Sozana says her specialty at Bow Valley is decorating the community for special events, especially Christmas, bringing joy to both residents and other employees.
Through challenges like the 2013 flood and the COVID-19 pandemic, Sozana, like the residents she serves, has needed to be resilient. “During the flood, residents had to evacuate for two weeks. It was really hard for residents and employees alike. Residents were worried about their homes and their things. I made sure I advocated for them during that time.”
As Sozana plans for retirement “in the next few years”, Silvera celebrates her legacy, built on kindness, dedication, and the countless lives she has touched along the way.
“There’s going to be a day when it’s time for me to say goodbye to Silvera, but that day is not here yet!”