SEIU Member Elaine Ellis
Certified Nursing Assistant
New Rochelle, NY

Twenty years ago, Elaine Ellis left her job as a hotel floor manager in Jamaica to build a new life for herself and her children in New York. She became a U.S. citizen and has worked at the Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation for eighteen years.

When first looking for employment in New York, Elaine answered an ad in the local Penny Saver and began working as a home health aide. A year later, she left her job as a home health aide to become a nurse assistant at Sarah Neuman. 

To make ends meet, Elaine took on a second job at Manhattanville Nursing Home, in the Bronx.  Elaine worked 16 hour days, five days a week for a decade to ensure her four children could have a better life.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant at Sarah Neuman, Elaine begins her days at 6:30 am getting residents out of bed, dressing and bathing them, administering any medications, and getting them to the dining room for breakfast. Elaine is responsible for preparing, serving and feeding residents and administering all medication and necessary treatments throughout the day. She cleans rooms and changes linens, helps residents move about, and assists with all other resident needs. When Elaine’s shift ends at 2pm, she’s served as the primary caregiver for nearly 10 residents.

Her children, Christopher, Tony, Michael, and Andrea are now all grown and live in California. Tony is on active duty with the United States Navy and was recently deployed to the Middle East. 

Elaine still works part time at Manhattanville Nursing Home two days a week.