Managing With Heart : Good Will: Couple running apartment uses loving ways, clean surroundings to keep elderly residents happy.

"When we were young, Joe always used to say 'When you're old, nobody wants you.' It seems to me seniors have paid their dues in life. They deserve peace and quiet and a nice place to live. They shouldn't have to be worrying. And handicapped people deserve special attention. They should have access without having to apologize. It's their right."

"Everybody has a smile on their face now. Joe and Diane Cole are a middle-aged couple with million-dollar smiles, high energy and watchful eyes that take in everything from a few wet leaves on the sidewalk to a shy, withdrawn look on a resident's face. The tenants entered the Coles in a nationwide manager of the year contest and contacted the newspaper, urging a story on two managers who manage from the heart."

Oxford Park Apartments, a 109-unit housing complex for seniors and disabled residents near the Santa Monica Freeway, has become a vibrant community under the management of Diane and Joe Cole. The couple's dedication to their residents has earned them a nomination for a nationwide manager of the year award, initiated by the tenants themselves. Joe handles maintenance while Diane manages administrative tasks, but both share a philosophy rooted in respect and dignity. They believe seniors have earned peace and security after lifelong contributions, and disabled residents deserve accessible accommodations without stigma. Their approach, guided by the Golden Rule and genuine compassion, has transformed the apartment complex into a place where residents smile and feel valued.

Read at Los Angeles Times