By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Erickson communities are known for their family atmosphere. But for Richard and Debbie Zwerlein, that description is especially true.

Debbie Zwerlein is employed at Maris Grove, an Erickson community in Concordville, Pa., and her father, Richard Zwerlein, lives just a short trip down the hallway from her office in the community’s Vernon Woods neighborhood.

Something new
Father and daughter both found Maris Grove around the same time.

Richard Zwerlein was tired of raking leaves and shoveling snow, so he began looking for a place that would take care of those chores for him. Meanwhile, his daughter was hunting for a new job where she could work with people in a life-affirming environment.

“My father was looking for a new place to live and had done all of the research and really liked Maris Grove,” Debbie Zwerlein says. “He had gotten the information kit, joined the Priority List, and was set to move in 2008. Well, he knew I wanted to work with people, so he suggested I give it a look too. So I went with him one time to check it out, and as soon as I saw the campus and met the people there, I knew I wanted to be there too. It was just what I was looking for.”

A great environment
“She came with me when I looked at Maris Grove, and we both were just impressed at what a pleasant place it was,” Rich Zwerlein says. “I wanted to move there, and she thought it would be a great place for her to work.”

His daughter agrees. “I loved Maris Grove because it’s a good place where  people  care about the mind, body, and spirit of others,” she says.

So Debbie Zwerlein applied for a position with the Office of Resident Life and soon after became a member of the Maris Grove team.

“My father always says I came to work here to keep an eye him,” she says with a laugh. “But the truth is, it works both ways!”