St. Joseph of the Pines (SJP) recently held the first corporate orientation session of its kind in years for new associates of the organization.

Forty-nine people attended the full-day event, which was held in the Belle Meade clubhouse, according to a news release.

Because of the organization's rapid growth SJP determined the most effective way to assist those new to the organization is to hold both weekly new hire orientations and monthly corporate orientations, the release said.

"After receiving immediate feedback on last month's corporate orientation, its clear how much passion lies in the management team of SJP," said Jennifer Gwaltney, recruitment and employment manager for SJP. "It's great to see how much our associates care about this organization and our residents.

"As an associate of SJP, I recognize that my work here is more than just a job. It's important for new associates to also understand that helping others is the center of our mission and the reason SJP was founded from the very beginning."

St. Joseph of the Pines is an aging service network offering a full continuum of retirement housing, health care and community-based services for older adults as well as community outreach to those in need.