Celebrating 10 Years at Encore Assisted Living & Memory Care Community

It seems like the years are flying by faster than ever, while some days feel long. I am writing this during a brief visit back to Switzerland, where the weather in my hometown of Zurich has been nothing but rain, with temperatures hovering in the 30s and 40s. Despite the gloomy skies, my heart is warmed by a truly special milestone: the 10-year anniversary of our Assisted Living and Memory Care community, Encore at Avalon Park.

Wow, 10 years! This achievement fills all of us at Avalon Park Group (APG) with pride. From the very beginning of Avalon Park’s vision over 25 years ago, the dream was to create a community where people can live, learn, work, and play. Our goal has always been to ensure that individuals can experience every stage of life within Avalon Park.

It is not often that developers own and operate an Assisted Living community, but at APG, we take pride in being more than just developers—we are town builders. Operating ventures such as the Marketplace, East Orlando Gym, and The 5th Floor co-working and entrepreneur center is part of our DNA. Encore, however, is uniquely special.

Encore is home to over 100 residents, cared for by a dedicated team of more than 100 staff members who deeply understand the importance of their work. I often remind our team that Encore is not just another business; it is an extension of our commitment to care for people. While mistakes in other ventures might result in financial losses, at Encore the stakes are higher. The lives of our residents, who are often in need of daily assistance, are the most precious responsibility God has entrusted to us.

The formidable leadership of Kim, Suzy, Monica, and the rest of the Encore team ensures that our residents receive attentive care 24/7. Their passion and dedication inspire me every day. It brings me immense joy to see families entrust their loved ones—mothers, fathers, and grandparents—to our care, often leading to a new chapter of joy and belonging in their lives.

It makes me happy when a family entrusts their mother or father, or another loved one into our care. They often start a new life at Encore, another chapter of joy and belonging. I have met many residents through the years at Encore, but there is only one resident who truly stands out and who I have a special bond with.  Jose Lebron, who will celebrate his 101st birthday on March 1st of this year, has been with us at Encore since we first opened the doors. He is a true gem, greeting everyone in the lobby with warmth and sharing his love for his home at Encore. We affectionately call him our ambassador because of his daily rounds to check on every floor and his reassuring updates when I am abroad. He always tells me that everything at Encore is “under control,” and I believe him!

Thank you, Jose, for your unwavering spirit and presence. Thank you to the families who trust us to care for their loved ones. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you to the Encore team for 10 years of hard work, passion, and love.

We love Encore!