Resident Stories

How Frank Found Joy and Strength in the Unexpected Winter Hill Apartments, Falls Church, Virginia

AT WINTER HILL APARTMENTS, residents often discover that community can be as healing as it is joyful. For longtime resident Frank Mitko, that discovery began with a simple idea—and a dance. When Resident Services Coordinator Dong Bui invited residents to share their thoughts at a Vision Board meeting two years ago, the goal was to listen: to learn what mattered most to those who called Winter Hill home. Among the residents gathered that day was Frank, who quietly suggested something new—a dance class. It was a surprising request. Until then, Frank had never joined the community’s fitness or wellness activities. But his suggestion inspired action. Within weeks, the first dance class was launched. Frank showed up, ready to give it a try—and from that moment, everything changed. He didn’t stop at dance. Energized by the movement and camaraderie, Frank soon began attending yoga as well. What started as a single class evolved into a rhythm of health and connection that strengthened both body and spirit. Today, Frank rarely misses a session. His progress is visible to everyone who knows him. Once hunched and reliant on his cane, he now moves more freely—sometimes even dancing without it. “My back doesn’t hurt anymore,” Frank says, smiling. “I can stand up straight. It feels like a miracle.” For Dong, Frank’s transformation is a reminder of the power of listening to residents and helping them shape their own experiences. “When residents have a voice in what happens here, the results are amazing,” he says. What began as a suggestion became a celebration—a testament to resilience, movement, and the community spirit that defines Winter Hill. Through Operation Pathways’ Family-Centered Coaching approach, residents like Frank aren’t just participants—they’re partners in creating programs that inspire growth, connection, and joy. At Winter Hill, the music continues, and so does Frank—dancing toward strength, independence, and the sheer happiness of feeling alive.

Where Frank lives matters.