Dan's story

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Why Ally Senior Living exists today -

Many years ago, I was unsatisfied with the direction my life was going. I worked and played; honestly, I played more than I worked, but we won’t go there. I just felt something was missing, and I couldn’t put my finger on it. One day, I asked myself, “what am I doing to contribute to society”? Am I helping people”? “Am I doing anything that means something”? My answer was no, and that cut deep. 

There was an ad for a job in a senior living home in Montgomery, Alabama. It didn’t pay well, was not glamorous, and said you must live there with the seniors. 

I applied, got the job, and moved in with 110 seniors. Most of my friends thought I had gone off the deep end. The first few days, I thought I might have as well. But the second week, a specific moment changed everything. 

A widow, Mrs. Cook, called the office and asked for help getting to her email. She wanted to read what her son wrote her that day and I fixed it for her. She called for the next several days, needing help figuring out how to get to the email. I had written it down and walked her through it several times to no avail. I did notice something, every time I fixed it, I saw the joy on her face. Her son wrote her every day; it was her day's highlight. It meant so much to her.

One day that second week after fixing her email and while walking back to the office, I realized something so simple for me but complex for another could have such a positive effect on that person. What would happen to Mrs. Cook if no one took the time to help her with her email? If she couldn’t connect with her son, it would devastate her. 

A bouquet of flowers would arrive from her son every Sunday, so I knew how much he loved her. I stopped in the hall that day, and the enormity of what I was doing hit me. I was making a positive difference in someone's life. I finally found it. That was what was missing in my life.

I committed to helping seniors right then and there. I have never doubted my decision and never looked back. 

Today, as the Founder and CEO of Ally Senior Living, our mission is simple; “to make a positive impact on every person we serve.” No fancy corporate mumbo jumbo mission, just plain and simple; go out and make a positive difference in someone's life. 

It is our passion; it is our mission; it is our duty! 

That’s my story! 

Dan