Carolyn Robinson is a team member in the maintenance department, whose responsibilities include serving as an in-house painter and other maintenance issues at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida. When you first meet her, you see a petite, kind and quiet woman with a lovely smile and cheerful demeanor. But once you get to know her, you quickly realize that beneath that gentle exterior lies a backbone of steel and a heart of gold.
Robinson’s journey to Oak Hammock has been shaped by resilience and hard work. She moved frequently as a child, often being “the new kid on the block,” which meant constantly adapting to new schools and new environments. Along the way, she faced bullying and the responsibility of caring for her three younger brothers at a young age. Those experiences, she says, taught her strength and perseverance.
“I was bullied a lot growing up,” Robinson recalls. “But those experiences made me stronger.”
Born in Sharon, Connecticut, and raised in Millbrook, New York, which is about 90 miles north of New York City, Robinson spent 18 years there before life took her to California, Florida and back to New York. She graduated from Boces Adult Education in Poughkeepsie, NY, and later met her husband, James, through family connections. “The first time I saw him, I said, ‘He’s going to be my husband,’” she laughs.
They’ve now been together for 41 years and married for 36. They share three children — Anthony, Daryl and Ashley — and four grandchildren. “My oldest granddaughter just graduated from Gainesville High School,” Robinson says fondly. She is proud of all her children and praises their work ethic, humanity and strong moral compass.
A Career Built on Care and Dedication
Robinson joined Oak Hammock nearly two years ago, on October 31, after working for Rossi Painting, a contractor for the community. “My boss encouraged me to apply,” she says. “I chose Oak Hammock because the benefits are great, but quickly realized the people are what make this place special.”
As part of the maintenance department, Robinson primarily works as a painter but also assists with appliance repairs and other maintenance needs. “We do whatever needs to be done,” she says. “It takes teamwork, and I love being part of such a great group.”
Her enthusiasm for her work is contagious. Her positive attitude, passion and generosity show a deep commitment to the residents and other team members.
“I love my job! It’s the best job I’ve ever had. Every day I’m excited to come to work.”
Robinson is well respected by Oak Hammock management. As Maintenance Supervisor Erich Rossi said, “Carolyn is a great asset to the maintenance team and is always willing to go the extra mile to help both team members and residents. I truly enjoy working with Carolyn on projects around campus and appreciate how organized she keeps every project.”
Living the “We Care” Philosophy
Robinson embodies Oak Hammock’s “We Care” values of being welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive and empathetic.
“I’ve been through a lot, and I think that helps me have empathy for others,” she explains. “If I can come to work and put a smile on someone’s face, then I’ve done my job.” Robinson also believes in doing the right thing and enjoys the support of her entire team. She feels the maintenance department shares a collective effort in striving for excellence!
She treats residents with the same kindness and respect she would want for herself. “One example is when a resident washed her rug and put it in the dryer, and it got stuck. I helped her get it out and even vacuumed it to clean the backing that had come off. I just like to help people and it makes me happy.”
Making a Difference Every Day
Robinson’s compassion often extends beyond her regular duties. She once saw a resident fall in the parking lot after work. “I ran over and stayed with her until the nursing staff arrived,” she recalls. “The resident didn’t want us to call 911, but I wanted to make sure she was okay.”
Another time, a co-worker lost her heart monitor and believed it had been thrown away. “I jumped into the dumpster to see if it was there but it wasn’t,” Robinson says with a grin. Her willingness to make a difference is what makes her a role model.
Her personal motto, inspired by The Little Engine That Could children’s book is simple but powerful: “I think I can, I think I can!”
More Than Meets the Eye
Beyond work, Robinson leads a full and adventurous life. She enjoys zip lining, tubing down the Rainbow River and spending time with her family. She relishes being close to her family, especially spending time with her mother and attending her grandchildren’s events such as dance recitals and softball games.
She’s also deeply spiritual. “I’m very in tune with the spirits and believe everything happens for a reason,” she says. That belief led her to Gainesville in 2020 when she “had a good feeling” about a house and decided to move closer to her mom and son.
Having lost her younger brother to AIDS at just 25 years old, Robinson now embraces life with gratitude and positivity. “That experience taught me to appreciate life,” she says. “My goals are simple — live life, be happy, pay my bills and stay on that path. I try to focus on what my mom always says, ‘Concentrate on being happy and live life to the fullest. Tomorrow is never promised.”
From her strong work ethic to her uplifting attitude, Robinson exemplifies what it means to serve with heart, humility and purpose — a true reflection of the Oak Hammock spirit.
Quotes from residents:
“Carolyn is a “can do” person, which is a wonderful trait in any employee. She and Albert installed all the numbers and name plates in the community gardens, and I could see then that she takes pride in doing a good job.” – Gail Robinson, resident
Caroline is an enthusiastic and energetic employee here at Oak Hammock who definitely loves what she does. She always makes herself available. She has hung and removed pictures for me, then rehung those same pictures in a different location, and always with a smile on her face. I’ve recently learned she definitely does so much more than that. She’s truly an asset here at Oak Hammock. – Rhonda Smith, resident