On a beautiful end of summer morning, Chelsea Arnink spoke about her journey finding a career that she loves. She is a bright, confident woman whose sincerity, kindness, and quiet strength seem to shine from within. She carries herself with grace, arriving polished and professional in a sleeveless suit. On her left arm, a striking owl tattoo peeks through, a beautiful detail that hints at the meaning behind her journey.
chelsea’s Labyrinth
Chelsea grew up surrounded by a loving family. Her father was a teacher and her mother was a pharmacy technician; they often worked long hours. From a young age, Chelsea spent her days with her grandparents. She deeply treasures memories of baking and crocheting with her grandma, watching documentaries with her grandpa, and sitting together on the sundeck, watching the planes glide across the sky. 
The warmth of those childhood memories makes Chelsea’s owl tattoo even more meaningful. Inspired by Labyrinth, a film she loved watching with her mom as a child, the owl represents both her bond with her family and her personal journey. Like the film’s heroine, Chelsea has navigated her own labyrinth.
Unsure of her purpose, she tried many paths before finding her true calling. Over the years, she worked as a teacher, tri
via host, receptionist, server, bartender, and supervisor. But through it all, her cherished memories of her grandparents kept pulling her toward one direction.
Chelsea had been volunteering in retirement homes and communities since she was just 12 years old, starting at Yaculta Lodge. Her passion for working with older adults never faded. During COVID, while volunteering at Amica to support the community, she began working in the dining room, helping prepare and deliver meals to residents. Chelsea shares, “The residents reminded me of my grandparents. I knew I wanted to keep working with them, not just for now but forever.”
Encouraged by other staff at Amica, Chelsea decided to enrol in Stenberg College’s Therapeutic Recreation Assistant program. It was a big decision, but her husband, Kellen, stood by her side and supported her as she balanced work and school.
Making a Difference
Her classmate, Carol Rosher, writes: “Chelsea is a dependable teammate and a generous peer mentor. Whether offering help with assignments, organizing group study sessions, or uplifting others during challenging moments, she is someone we all look to for support and steady guidance.”
Chelsea cherished the relationships she built along the way. “The best part of the program is the relationship with my classmates and my instructors,” she shared. Those connections gave her support and a sense of belonging that carried her through the program.
Chelsea returned to Amica for her practicum. She finally had the chance to put into practice everything she had learned at Stenberg College and do what she had dreamt of: making a difference in the lives of older adults. Her instructor, Cheryl Bain, shared that she received glowing feedback about Chelsea’s performance. “The Life Enrichment Coordinators, Nathely and Jessica, praised her strong work ethic, initiative, and professionalism. She was recognized for her enthusiasm, her ability to connect with both the residents and team members, and her willingness to go above and beyond in all tasks.”
Chelsea graduated with an impressive 95% grade point average. On the day she completed her program, Chelsea was offered a position as a Life Enrichment Assistant at Amica. Nathely McSween of Amica Senior Lifestyle says: “We were pleased to offer Chelsea a position within our organization, which is a testament to the outstanding impression she left on our team.”
Celebrating Her True Calling
Chelsea is thriving in a career that doesn’t feel like a job. “It feels like a calling,” she says. “The decision to take the program changed not only my professional life but also my personal life. I used to finish work feeling drained, but now I come home excited to share my experiences with my husband. I’m enthusiastic about everything I get to do.”
Every day at Amica is meaningful for Chelsea, and that’s what she loves most. She starts her mornings by greeting residents as she passes through the dining room, stopping to chat and inviting them to join the day’s activities. She leads fitness classes, shares music, organizes art sessions, connects with residents, and sometimes brings out her ukulele to share a song.
“I treat my residents like they’re my grandparents, an extension of my family.” After navigating life’s labyrinth, Chelsea helps older adults find theirs.