ILA Member Spotlight – Rose Iheke

Upon entering JOJO Independent Living, you’re immediately met with a sense of peacefulness. Rose Iheke, owner of this home, sits happily and quietly at the dining room table while her residents come and go from the home talking to Rose as they do so. One of Rose’s 6 children divulges that she “puts her heart and soul into this business” and is typically at the home very early in the morning and does not leave until later in the evening. Her passion and dedication to her business and her genuine desire to see her residents’ improve their lives does not go unnoticed. It’s seen in how impeccably clean she keeps the home, in how she interacts with her residents, and how her face lights up when she talks about how much she enjoys getting to meet people from all walks of life and how her goal for her residents’ is to see them succeed.

Rose, who is originally from Nigeria, moved to San Diego with her husband in 1992. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked for various local hospices and hospitals. After being a CNA for 20 years, Rose heard about Independent Livings through a friend. With her background in helping others and her deep compassion, running an Independent Living seemed like a good fit for her. When Rose is not busy at her Independent Living she enjoys attending church services three times a week and spending time with her family. Rose is also thinking about going back to school to study English.

Rose hopes she has created a home where her residents feel a sense of home and of being loved. She is hopeful that when her residents’ move on from her home, they leave with a new story; that they don’t leave the same way they arrived. That to her, means she has succeeded in reaching her goal for her Independent Living.

For more information on JOJO Independent Living, please see their profile on the ILA Directory.