Barbara Genese
Barrett DeWitt

"Christopher Community gave me the chance to be myself and spread my wings."  

When Barbara Genese suffered three strokes in 2019, her life changed in an instant.

Living alone in Rhode Island, she suddenly found herself facing an uncertain future. At the encouragement of her oldest son, Barbara made the difficult decision to leave the only home she had ever known and move to Central New York to be closer to her family.

It meant starting over in a place where she knew no one.

Everything changed the moment she walked through the doors of Barrett DeWitt Apartments.

"The manager greeted me with open arms," Barbara recalls. "She literally hugged me the moment I walked in. In a place where I knew nobody, that made all the difference."

Nearly three years later, Barbara says she has never regretted that decision.

After her strokes, simple tasks that many people take for granted became major hurdles. She couldn't drive and didn't know where to find doctors, grocery stores, transportation, or community resources. Barrett DeWitt's Resource Coordinator helped her navigate every step, connecting her with medical transportation, grocery shuttles, community services, and the support she needed to rebuild her independence.

But Barbara didn't stop at rebuilding her own life.

Because exercise played such a vital role in her recovery, she wanted to give that gift to others. Today, she leads exercise classes for fellow residents twice each week, helping seniors improve strength, circulation, balance, and confidence. She also volunteers by organizing monthly bingo, creating opportunities for neighbors to laugh, connect, and build friendships.

"My goal is to make as many seniors as I can physically fit," she says. "If I can encourage even one person to get out of their chair, then I've made their life a little better."

Barbara's desire to serve extends beyond Barrett DeWitt. Inspired by the compassion she experienced, she became a Senior Companion, visiting older adults who are isolated or living alone. Whether she's taking someone for a walk, helping prepare a meal, or simply sitting and talking, she knows the greatest gift she can offer is her time.

"There are so many people who don't have family nearby," Barbara says. "When I knock on that door and see them smile, it makes all the difference"

For Barbara, Christopher Community provided much more than affordable housing. It gave her a safe place to heal, the confidence to remain independent, and a community that encouraged her to use her own experiences to uplift others.

When asked to describe Christopher Community in one word, her answer comes without hesitation.

"Love."

Today, as she approaches her 70th birthday, Barbara is surrounded by neighbors she considers family, grandchildren who live nearby, and countless opportunities to make a difference. Her story is proof that when people are given stability, support, and community, they often become the very people who strengthen those same communities for others.