Fellowship Square provides affordable housing and services for older adults.
JULY 2019
IN THIS ISSUE
Christy's Corner
'Nip & Sip' Fundraiser, Sept. 19
Fellowship Square Honored
Review Us at "Great Non-Profits"
Resident Life
Man's Best Friend for Life
Thank you Victor Evans
New Board Members
Join the Fellowship Square Board
CHRISTY'S CORNER
Positive Aging Never Grows Old
Christy Zeitz headshot
How do you feel about growing old? For some, it’s a scary time filled with change and loneliness. While many Fellowship House residents are active and engaged in the community, there are some that struggle with loneliness - having few friends or family to turn to. To them, getting older is not an exciting transition but a time in which they feel they will have less independence, less mobility and less interactions. Sadly, some may feel helpless and bored.

At Fellowship Square, we reinforce the positive aspects of aging by reminding residents that they are a valued part of our community. We have made a deliberate effort to reinforce the value of seniors in our community through artwork and photographs that hang in the hallways of Fellowship House and we’ve added inspirational quotes and positive aging articles in the resident newsletters. Thank you for your on-going support in our efforts to make our residents feel appreciated as they age.   

In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at our programs and activities to ensure we offer opportunities that allow those who are home-bound to participate even if they cannot leave their apartment.
We’re social creatures and growing old isn’t a solo sport. That’s what positive aging is all about. How we choose to define, view and accept the changes is crucial to our ability to “age gracefully.” Positive aging means being a part of a supportive community that helps us adjust to the changes we expect – and those that we don’t.

In gratitude,
Christy Zeitz signature
Christy Zeitz
CEO
FALL INTO FELLOWSHIP
wine bottle glasses fall leaves and words nip and sip fundraiser
Featuring a variety of wines and fall appetizers

Thursday, September 19, 2019
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Generously hosted by: 
Bozzuto Construction Company
6406 Ivy Lane
Greenbelt, MD 20770
 
Join us to support our
Fellowship Square Communities!
 
 
Want to help with the event?  Volunteers needed!  
for more information.
FELLOWSHIP SQUARE HONORED
Logo for Catalog for Philanthropy
Fellowship Square Named
‘One of the Best’ Nonprofits by the Catalogue for Philanthropy

As it Celebrates its 17 th Anniversary
Serving the Greater Washington Region, the Catalogue for Philanthropy is Proud to Honor Fellowship Square 
After a careful vetting process, the  Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington has selected Fellowship Square to be part of the Class of 2019-20.  Fellowship Square has undergone a rigorous review process conducted by a team of 150+ local experts and has met the Catalogue’s high standards. Potential donors can be confident that the nonprofits in the Catalogue are worthy of their support.  Fellowship Square is a leading provider of affordable housing and related services to low-income seniors in the metro region - they envision communities where there is safe, affordable and quality housing and a continuum of services for older adults.

This year, reviewers helped select 78 nonprofits to feature in the print edition, 36 of which are new to the Catalogue this year. It also selected an additional 36 nonprofits to be re-featured on its website. The network now includes 400+ vetted nonprofits working in the arts, education, environment, and human services sectors throughout Greater Washington.

“People want to get involved in their community—they want to make a difference, close to home. Based on our rigorous review process, we believe that Fellowship Square is one of the best community-based nonprofits in the region,” says Matt Gayer, Director of Community and Nonprofit Development at the Catalogue for Philanthropy.

The Catalogue believes in the power of small nonprofits to spark big change. And they believe in Fellowship Square to continue to further that positive change, working each day to lift up, strengthen and enrich our local community.
Great Nonprofits logo
We Need Reviews!
If you love our work, then tell the world! Did you know that just behind recommendations from friends and families, reviews impact volunteering and donation decisions the most?
 
Won’t you help us raise visibility for our work by posting a review about your experience with Fellowship Square? Visit GreatNonprofits – a review site like Yelp, but for nonprofits to tell the world what you think about us. All reviews are visible to potential donors and volunteers.
 
It’s easy and only takes three minutes!
RESIDENT LIFE
Hunters Woods Fellowship House
collage of picnic photos
A huge thank you to the Heritage Fellowship Church for donating dessert and watermelons to the annual Hunters Woods Fellowship House summer picnic! This year residents enjoyed the cookout with games, photo booth, piano concert and Music with staff, Fellowship Square interns, and church volunteers.
Lake Ridge Fellowship House
2 photos of residents at ball game
Residents from Lake Ridge Fellowship House enjoyed a fun night of Potomac National's baseball at the 9th Annual "Night at the Ballpark." Thanks to HomeAid NOVA for the baseball tickets and snacks for tonight's game.
HEALTHY LIVING
Man's Best Friend for Life
Woman with small dog that is licking her face
For many seniors, isolation and the monotony of a simple life can take a toll on their mental health, according to Alegre Home Care. To combat this, many organizations recommend that seniors who are able to care for a pet should consider adopting one. Pets can reduce feelings of loneliness and instill a sense of fulfillment and purpose in one’s life. Many breeds make great companions. For example, Shih Tzu dogs are small and friendly, and while they require some grooming, they don’t have much shedding. 

For seniors with limited mobility, many pets such as cats, rabbits and birds can live in their homes with minimal care. Dogs generally require a bit more, but they can help seniors stay active with daily walks, and they are always ecstatic when their owners come home. If you are considering adopting a pet, it is important to consider the commitment involved in caring for them. Rescue pets are less expensive to purchase than pure-bred animals but many have suffered abuse and require time and assistance adjusting to a loving home . And while costs can be high, charities such as the Paws 4 A Cure, the Pet Fund and the Brown Dog Foundation are available to assist people with veterinary bills, medications and other financial assistance. More resources can be found  here , organized alphabetically by state. 

Getting a pet is a big responsibility, but having one is linked with many different positive benefits such as the slowing of memory loss, quicker surgical recoveries, lowered risk of heart disease, less stress and anxiety, and better sleep. For more information on adopting a pet, visit  ASPCA’s website to find adoptable animals near you. 

By Baylor Eaton
 Fellowship Square Programs Intern
FELLOWSHIP SQUARE BOARD MEMBERS
Fellowship Square Thanks Victor Evans for his Years of Service
Victor Evans retirement 2 photos
Victor Evans joined the Lake Ridge Fellowship House (LRFH) Board in March 2015 — after he and many other board members had already served as a volunteer council prior to the establishment of the ‘official’ House Board.

Doug Sutor , current Lake Ridge Fellowship House Board member says, “Victor had a way of expressing the work of the organization succinctly and he always had good ideas for the organization.” Christy Zeitz , CEO, describes Victor as "a dedicated leader . . . in the last two years that I’ve worked with him he has shown tremendous care and compassion for the residents of Lake Ridge Fellowship House – always considering them first in business of the Board.” 

Victor is retiring from Prince William County Government after many years of professional service. He and his wife are moving to Smith Mountain Lake where he plans to spend time enjoying the outdoors.
Congratulations
to our FY20 Fellowship Square Board officers!
Carl Jenkins headshot
Carl Jenkins
President
Scott Parkin headshot
Scott Parkin
Vice President
Jill Norcross Headshot
Jill Norcross
Secretary
John Gray headshot
John Gray
Treasurer
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment and service
to Fellowship Square!
Interested in Serving
on a Fellowship House Board?

Each of our Fellowship Houses has a board that helps to enrich the lives of our residents and provides a tie to the communities where they are located.

We welcome individuals who have a passion and interest in ensuring seniors have dignified affordable housing, and robust programs and services to help them age in place. Please contact our CEO, Christy Zeitz at  czeitz@fellowshipsquare.org  to learn more.

Reminder: If you have a Thrivent account, please designate Fellowship Square for donations


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