The secret behind The Garlands’s spit-spot and award-winning cleanliness isn’t the latest and greatest cleaning product or a new-fangled vacuum cleaner.
It’s much simpler than that: just real people caring for real people and one another.
What appears as only a single bullet point on The Garlands brochure’s long list of convenient services, housekeeping is pivotal to the community’s consistently positive first impression. More importantly, it is a very meaningful point of connection for staff and many Garlands members.
“Housekeeping is just one of those little gems that prospective members don’t know to appreciate until they actually move into The Garlands fully,” says Michelle Murphy, director of sales and marketing.
Every week, each Garlands housekeeper is responsible for their own portfolio of private homes — up to five a day. Over time and with consistency, The Garlands members and their housekeepers get to know one another’s preferences and form a connection.
“I love all my members,” says long-time housekeeper Monica De La Cruz. She tells of one member who plays Mariachi music for her when she cleans. “He knows I love it! He also talks to me about stories while I clean, and I enjoy listening to him.”
When the housekeepers are not working in our members’ homes, they are cleaning the 1.3 million square feet of common areas throughout The Garlands community.
Beverly Astudillo, who has led the housekeeping team for over five years, has high expectations for herself and her team, saying, “Our role is to be sure that we provide service for all members and keep The Garlands clean and safe.”
She’s the first to point out that “the job is very hard.” Teamwork is key to their success, and Beverly and the ladies work hard, smart, and well together.
They also play together, hosting frequent potlucks, birthday recognitions, holiday celebrations, and a Secret Santa gift exchange, which helps to build a palpable esprit de corps among the team.
Meet the MAGIC Behind The Garlands Clean Team
Monica
I am a busy mom. My first job is in our home, helping my daughters with homework, going to their games and the park, and taking care of my house.
The schedule is great for taking care of my family, and I like the people who live and work here. It is like I am cleaning for my own grandparents. When I do my job for them, I want to do my best!
I have one member who hugs me when I leave, and he always says, “Peace and love!” and I say the same back to him!
Julia
When the doors closed to the photography studio I worked at as the office manager for 20 years, I needed to find a new job with good benefits and one that would challenge me physically. I found The Garlands, and it is what I needed. The members make it a very special place to work!
I enjoy going in and talking to The Garlands members. They are all very special to me and they appreciate what we do for them, and they will tell you that too. That makes me feel respected. Plus, my co-workers are awesome. They’re just good people to work with.
When I’m not cleaning at The Garlands, I like to go to the beach, read, do yardwork and spend time with my 8-year-old grandson.
Sayada
A bubbly and vivacious newcomer to the team, Sayada moved to the U.S. from Bangladesh five years ago.
I live here with my husband and his family. I like to cook Indian food and clean for my family. I also like to sing and dance!
Everyone on my team is hardworking. The people at The Garlands are very good and nice. That’s why I like it here. I listen, and I learn from them — my English is improving!
