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President's Update
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| Renee Jakobs, Board President |
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We are excited to be embarking on a strategic planning process this fall, to clarify and formulate our vision for Fellowship Square. We'll examine possible improvements to our governance and operations, resident services, advocacy for the needs of seniors, and community engagement.
We are pleased to report that we're making progress toward the redevelopment of Lake Anne Fellowship House. Meanwhile, residents of Lake Ridge, Largo Landing, and Hunters Woods Fellowship Houses are enjoying the recent improvements to their buildings, which include new windows and LED lighting that improve comfort and sustainability - while lowering operating costs.
We continue to provide safe, comfortable, affordable housing with services that enhance the quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities who live in our communities. To do this, we rely on the time, talent, and treasure of our supporters. Many of our staff and volunteers feel called to do this work of justice and compassion. For those who sit through committee meetings, who sharpen their pencils and analyze budgets, who deliver a meal, offer a ride, lead a class, lend an ear, or write a check, we are grateful. With your help, we'll continue to make Fellowship Houses great places to live.
Board President, Fellowship Square Foundation
FSF started a new fiscal year July 1 and elected new Board officers:
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President
Renee Jakobs
Vice President
Eddie Byrne
Treasuer
John Gray, CPA
Secretary
Joan Thomas
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Mike Collins
Ric Fisher
Dan Flavin
C. David Hartmann
Bryan Isler
Carl Jenkins
Vern Krueger
Scott Parkin
Bob "Sarge" Sargeant
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Thanks to the Clothing Closet of Herndon for a recent $1,000 grant to support our resident services!
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FSF has made great strides this year - hiring a new executive director and changing property management companies. These changes - and others to come - are all for the benefit of our residents, who are our first priority.
Unfortunately, lack of affordable housing in our region continues to be a challenge for low-income seniors and others - FSF has a waiting list of nearly two years for people who need our services! The average income of our residents is around $1,000/month which means there are very few options when it comes to choosing a safe and stable place to live.
FSF is one of a few affordable senior housing properties in Metro DC and fulfilling our mission is critical for meeting the needs of this underserved and vulnerable population.
Please support our work by making your most generous tax-deductible donation today. Your financial support helps us provide a broad range of programs, services, information, and social activities that make Fellowship House more than just a place to live - it is home for more than 650 older adults.
Thank You!!
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Lake Anne Redevelopment News
The Lake Anne Redevelopment has reached some major milestones over the summer, enabling FSF and our development partner, Community Preservation and Development Corporation (CPDC) to proceed with the building design and rezoning process.
The project would replace all 240 units in Lake Anne I and II with a new state-of-the art building that would minimize disruption for current residents while maintaining long-term affordability and improving accessibility and program space. Many of the current efficiency units would be replaced with larger 1-bedroom, and some 2-bedroom apartments.
The new Lake Anne Fellowship House would retain affordable housing in a community where rent is often unaffordable to many seniors and people with disabilities. Just as they are now, new units will be available to older adults over age 62 and people with disabilities who are income qualified.
Financing for the project is complex and includes housing tax credits, mortgage debt, and the sale of excess land. The joint ownership project with the CPDC means that FSF will have a say in all major decisions affecting the project, will receive a share of development fees and projected cash flow as well as first right to the purchase of the property at end of the financing period.
Construction of the new Lake Anne Fellowship House would start in late 2019 in the currently-unused eastern portion of the property and would be completed sometime in 2021. After current residents move in to the new building the older buildings will be demolished. The land on which they stand would be sold to help finance the new building.
Milestones:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded FSF a new rental assistance payment contract for 91 of Lake Anne' I's 100 units and also approved a rental contract for 27 of Lake Anne I's units with a "mark Up to Market" increase, the new subsidies will not only support current residents but there will now be enough revenue to keep both buildings in sound operating condition until the replacement is complete and the revenue will greatly assist in the financing.
This Fall, an application for rezoning the 240-unit replacement and up to 185 market rate units will be completed and filed with Fairfax County. Community meetings to review the design of the new Lake Anne building spaces will be scheduled.
FSF has chosen MAC Realty Advisors to market the 3.6 acres that will be used for the market rate housing mentioned above. |
Thanks to George Washington University staff who came to HWFH to provide mammograms for 16 residents in the "Mammovan." Residents who registered received bags of healthy snacks and items that promoted good health provided by our resident services coordinator, Cassandra Hawkins.
Virginia Home Health Services staff served ice cream to our residents during Older Americans Month. Residents celebrated around the theme "Age Out Loud" with games, music, food and a photo booth! In addition, with the help of our Wellness team, surveys were distributed to the residents so the team can improve services and increase safety at Hunters Woods.
Hunters Woods and Lake Ridge Fellowship Houses joined together to take residents on an excursion at Leesylvania State Park. The residents enjoyed a cruise on the Potomac River and enjoyed lunch catered by Great Harvest Bread Co. They cruised around for an hour sightseeing and learning about the wildlife in the Potomac River.
Thanks to the Virginia
Department of Motor Vehicles that sent staff to help residents with services ranging from renewing their licenses to changing their address. This allowed many of the residents who do not have transportation or cannot wait in line for hours to access DMV support through the DMV2GO program. DMV staff will continue to come to HWFH quarterly to assist new residents and those who need to renew expired documents.
If you or your organization want to contribute time or effort to enriching the lives of our residents, please contact George Davies
at [email protected].
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Isaiah Digby helped residents register for fishing licenses.
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Thanks to a local high school volunteer who helped residents register for fishing licenses, many LLFH residents took fishing trips this summer to Chesapeake Beach and Allen Pond Park in Bowie.
State Representative C. Anthony Muse, who's currently running for Prince George's County Executive, attended LLFH's Resident Appreciation Day and met with residents to inform them of new local government initiatives targeting seniors in Maryland.
If you wish to volunteer your time for LLFH, please contact David Digby at
[email protected].
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| Pictured from left to right: Ms. Nancy Delay 2015 winner, Ms. Katie Lane 2016 winner, and Ms. JoAnn Ferguson our 2017 Seed Spitting Contest winner. |
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There was a lot of dust and noise this summer as LRFH replaced corridor carpeting and installed granite countertops in nearly 50 units. In the midst of this major renovation, our residents enjoyed the annual Watermelon Festival, an event that they look forward to all summer. LRFH residents prepared all things watermelon, including watermelon pie, cake, pizza, punch, and watermelon twizzlers. A fun highlight of this activity is the annual seed spitting contest.
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Thanks to wide community support, Resident Service Coordinator (RSC) Garima Apan organized and executed Lake Anne's First Annual Health and Wellness Fair. Participating organizations disseminated important health information to some 100 residents at booths and provided health screenings such as blood pressure readings.
The following community partners
participated: Giant, Rite Aid, Fire and Rescue Department of Fairfax County, INOVA, American Health Care Professionals, Neighborhood and Community Services Planning, Herndon Pharmacy and Medical Supply, Care People Home Health and Hospice, Herndon Senior Center, Cornerstones and Comcast.
In upcoming months, Garima will conduct an Annual Holiday Drive, providing another opportunity for community partners to make contributions to LAFH. Community contributions provide Thanksgiving and Christmas gifts to many of our residents.
If you or your organization wish to become a LAFH community partner, please contact
Garima Apan at [email protected] or at 703-668-0307.
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We are seeking to add a full-time person to our small but nimble staff. This person will serve as our Program Manager - covering duties from marketing and communications to event planning and office operations. Check out the full description and send in your cover letter and resume to
[email protected]
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Get Involved - Give Time, Talent or Treasure
Fellowship Square relies on many volunteers, supporters and donors to ensure that our residents maintain a good quality of life as they live out their golden years in our Houses. Please consider making time - or a donation - in support of our mission!
Learn about volunteer opportunities.
Consider making a charitable donation to support our mission.
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Donate Something Other Than Money
Our residents appreciate donated items such grocery/store gift cards, household items, gift baskets and other day-to-day necessities that help to save them money. If you or your group would like to donate items, or have already collected such items to donate, please contact our Executive Director, Christy Zeitz at
[email protected]
or (703) 860-2536.
Thank you!
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If you are a Thrivent Financial
customer, be sure to designate Fellowship Square Foundation in your annual giving.
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Fellowship Square Foundation Mission Statement
Fellowship Square, a faith-based, nonprofit organization, advocates for and
provides safe, secure, and affordable homes and an array of supportive services
for a diverse population of low income seniors and persons with disabilities.
Our communities, through mutual support and by facilitating access to services,
foster independence, dignity, and healthy and vibrant lifestyles.
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