As a service-focused organization, Sentry Management’s most important asset is its people — and with over 1,000 employees, Sentry understands that life is unpredictable and some employees and their families may find themselves in less-than-ideal circumstances. This is why Sentry provides employees with resources like the Employee Hardship Fund in times of need. The Employee Hardship Fund, Sentry Management’s short-term financial assistance program, was created to assist employees undergoing immediate, severe, and temporary hardships due to life circumstances or emergencies. Monies distributed from the fund can help cover immediate costs for food, housing, utilities, or medical expenses for employees in need.

Since the program’s inception in 2023, the Employee Hardship Fund has awarded over $130,000 to dozens of Sentry employees dealing with family illness, unforeseen medical bills, devastation and damages from natural disasters, car accidents, household income loss, and other unpredictable circumstances. The Employee Hardship Fund also assisted Sentry employees after Hurricanes Milton and Helene devastated their local along the Gulf Coast.

Not only has the Hardship Fund positively impacted the lives of Sentry employees, it also demonstrates Sentry’s commitment to giving back and to Sentry employee’s shared value of taking care of each other. Sentry Management’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Ashley Grahek, oversees the Employee Hardship Fund. She noted, “Sentry employees will always be our priority. Creating an inclusive, rewarding, and diverse space that reflects this employee-first standard is important, and it is an honor to provide our employees with the opportunity to utilize this emergency hardship fund in times of need.”

A Hardship Fund recipient expressed their gratefulness in a handwritten note, writing, “When Hurricane Helene left me with nothing but heartbreak and uncertainty, I could have never expected the outpouring of support and compassion I received [from Sentry Management]. They didn’t wait for me to ask for help — they stepped in immediately…Their kindness reminded me that even in the face of unimaginable loss, there are still people who care deeply… Words could never fully express my gratitude, but this [had a] profound impact on my life. Having a company that truly cares for its employees is rare, and I count myself so blessed to be part of Sentry Management. Thank you for giving me not only the means to recover but the belief that I could. You’ve given me so much more than just a place to work — you’ve given me a second chance!”

Sentry Management employees can voluntarily donate to the Employee Hardship Fund by selecting any amount of their choosing for paycheck deduction during open enrollment or benefit selection.  Sentry matches all employee donations dollar-for-dollar in addition to contributing a set amount, and the fund is used solely for supporting fellow employees dealing with financial or personal hardships.

Sentry Management is a full-service community management company. Sentry’s business is the day-to-day operation of communities, homeowner associations, and condominiums. Sentry is accredited as an AMO® (Accredited Management Organization) by the Institute of Real Estate Management, providing the independent evaluation that Sentry has one of the highest operating and financial standards in the industry. Sentry operates in dozens of localities in Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and Virginia.