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Kari Schrader: Community Life Services Director

Meet Kari Schrader, Ardenwoods Community Life Services Director. That’s a particularly fancy way of saying Fairy Godmother. Look closely and you may get to see her magic.

She’s modest, calls herself a farm girl at heart from a long tradition of midwestern caretakers. Where in the world is Abingdon, IL? It’s a long way from Asheville, but Kari fell in love with the south while backpacking as a teenager. She chose Toccoa Falls College, a small college in northeast Georgia where she received her BA in Interpersonal and Organizational Communications. Has there EVER been a major so suited to an individual?!

A wall with important photos.
Kari’s Office

She’s Part of a Team

This lean mean community machine played college basketball and continues to work out every day. She’s on the elliptical machine 6 days a week and she runs 1 day a week. Put the team player with the organizer and communicator and you get Ardenwoods Community Life Services Director – Kari!

Billy Kara and Sarah posing for a photo.
Teamwork! Billy, Kari, and Sarah

The woman who plans outings, socials, speakers, hikes, and more usually starts her workday at 5:00 in the morning. That gives her time to mill her own wheat and bake bread and cookies before she comes in to work. Let’s just be clear: Kari loves to bake.

She’s also a gardener; she even worked at BB Barns Landscaping for 2 years. She still “has lots to learn,” and relies on residents to help her. Dona Marie has been particularly helpful!

Kari’s loves spending time with her crew: Derrick, and her three children, Lincoln, Meredith, and Meredith’s husband of two years Kyler. She homeschooled her kids for 12 years – working Mama! She was even on the team that formed Trailblazers Western Carolina Athletic Association for Homeschoolers, a 501(c)3 with over 250 kids.

Community Celebrations

Two residents leaning over a car engine.
Residents inspect the engine at the celebration of new Ardenwoods transportation.

Kari loves her job and finds it very “fulfilling.” Because the residents at Ardenwoods have made the choice to live in a community, they help shape it. It’s dynamic. Everybody has value as individuals and as a group. It’s this community (and the individuals who make it) that gives Kari the impetus to CELEBRATE – she celebrates the small things as well as the big things.

She’s really looking forward to Active Aging Week and she’s planning a pet parade, a cookie baking contest for residents, and an aqua dance. Stay tuned for that fun week.

Here are a few fun facts about this great lady:

  • She loves Diet Coke.
  • If she had a lot of money, she’d get more manicures.
  • She loves going to thrift shops.
  • Kari spends as much time as possible in the sun and outdoors, favoring yard work and swimming over hiking.
  • She loves sidewalk chalk.
  • She has amazing friends who enjoy ornery time and drinking wine.
  • Did we mention she likes to bake?

Get In Touch

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  • About Us
    • Our Team
  • Senior Living Solutions
    • Independent Living
    • Heather Glen Assisted Living
    • Floor Plans
  • Lifestyle
    • Staying Safe – Staying Healthy
    • Resident Stories
    • Photos
    • Activities
    • Services & Amenities
    • Dining
    • Monthly Calendar
    • Surrounding Area
    • Blog
  • Health Services
    • Heather Glen
  • Resources/Financial
  • Contact Us
    • Maps & Directions
    • Employment Opportunities
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