BARRY’S BAY – When Lisa Yantha moved to Barry’s Bay with her family, she never fathomed that she would be working in her field, let alone securing her dream job.
But that she did, after long-time former Activities Director Mary Blank announced her retirement in 2019.
Yantha, nee Gorra, was born and raised in Perth, Ontario.
“I was very lucky growing up to have three wonderful grandparents I spent lot of time with. This is where my love for being with seniors began. I was that granddaughter who would go on my school breaks and stay with them or weeks at a time,” Yantha said.
She made the decision in high school to do a co-op placement at Perth Community Care.
“After that placement, it was confirmed that activities in long term care would be my future,” Yantha said.
She met her husband, Trevor Yantha, when they were working together during the summer near Perth.
After attending Fanshawe College in London, she received a diploma in recreation and leisure services. Before she secured a job, however, she wanted to travel. So, she backpacked for two months in New Zealand.
When she arrived home, it wasn’t long before she got her first activity aide position at Longworth Long Term Care in London, a contract maternity leave position.
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