When you are the Director of Life Enrichment clearly there are expectations, especially when this is your position at a retirement community where residents need special attention. As such, you either got it or you don’t. In the case of Johan Naranjo, he definitely has got it! With his friendly, outgoing, and dedication – not to mention humor – residents at The House of the Good Shepherd in Hackettstown have embraced him with open arms.

Naranjo, who joined the staff at The House in early summer, has worked in the senior field for nine years, previously as a Recreation Director and Activities Director. 

To Naranjo, his secret to engaging with residents, is simple.

“My goal is always to capture the imagination and enthusiasm in residents with everything that I do,” he said. “I want them to come to realize that it is wonderful to give themselves permission to let loose and have fun at this stage of their lives.”

As Director of Life Enrichment, Naranjo has myriad responsibilities from planning the resident event calendar, developing and implementing established – and new – activities and special events, coordinating volunteers, and assisting with social media outreach.

“Johan is a real people person and the residents respond well to him,” said Sue Lanza, CEO and President at The House. “He is innovative, always coming up with new ideas and has a terrific personality. He even dresses up in various characters some days. Anything to brighten the day for residents – and staff!

Added Naranjo, who lives in Allamuchy Township, “I enjoy myself the most when everyone around me is having the time of their lives! I found a real niche for myself in this line of the work because I get energized seeing others feed off of my enthusiasm. I like to be around a lot of positive energy, so I do what I can to create it. The residents are really kind and friendly. They are fantastic and are open to new ideas and activities, which makes my job more enjoyable.”

It helps too that staff are also willing to lend a hand. “I feel it’s important to create community,” said Naranjo. “At HOTGS they already had a great community feel when I arrived, so my goal is to build on that and make it stronger. Community between residents and staff is how you create great energy.”

At one time, Naranjo was an on-air talent with radio station WNNJ and before that he did “street team work” for several stations in New York City. 

“I think those experiences helped to develop my style that I use in my current job,” he said. “I built up my confidence back then by playing to crowds when I would make appearances on behalf of the station.”

Originally from Ridgefield Park, Naranjo also notes that he “loves collecting pop culture memorabilia. Specifically, I’m a huge Batman fan. I tend to lean towards collecting toys mostly…I have a toy habit!”

Most of all, Naranjo loves seeing smiles on residents’ faces. 

“I hope that my style brings a lot of joy to the people I’m working with,” he said. “I hope I can make a difference in people’s lives, because that’s what gets me up in the morning!”

Without a doubt, he is making that difference, day after day.

For more information about the House of the Good Shepherd and its living accommodations, visit www.hotgs.org.