Housing, Help and Hope for Older Adults |
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Season to Celebrate!
Board Members & Officers Elected
Thank You, Mike Scheurer
Resident Spotlight
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Christy's Corner
Community Partner Highlight
Resident Life
Welcome Communications Intern Cara Kiser
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Annual Meeting Celebrates Our Accomplishments! |
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On the sunny Saturday morning of May 20, Fellowship Square held its Annual Meeting for the Corporate Membership at the newly built, state-of-the-art Lake Anne House in Reston, VA. Corporate Members were treated to remarks by guest speaker, Jill Norcross, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, who elaborated on promoting healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities that meet the diverse needs of the metro region. The membership voted in new and renewing members and heard from Fellowship Square’s CEO on accomplishments from the past year and exciting future initiatives. The meeting concluded with an uplifting musical performance by the Largo Landing Gospel Choir.
Meeting guests then joined other Fellowship Square supporters arriving that afternoon for a Donor/Volunteer Reception on the building’s beautiful outdoor terrace, a tribute event aimed at thanking supporters who give of their time, talent, and monetary funds that helps the organization provide housing and programs to older, low-income adults.
The festivities included appetizers, refreshments, tours of the new building, and live music by a local band… and more musical entertainment from the Largo Landing Gospel Choir. Check out our new video that gives an overview of our mission, facilities, and programs… Watch it here!
Thank you to everyone who attended and to those who made Fellowship Square’s Annual Meeting and Donor/Volunteer Reception such a success!!
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Staff and volunteers enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company on the Lake Anne House terrace. |
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A special thank you to our sponsors: |
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The Fellowship Square Corporate Membership re-elected three of its board members to serve another term. Congratulations to all who are continuing in these important leadership roles!
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Thank you, Mike Scheurer!
Mike served a total of 5 years on the Fellowship Square Board of Directors and provided great leadership during his time as Vice President. He brought expertise in the areas of affordable housing finance and development which was beneficial to the organization for the Hunters Woods Fellowship House refinancing and preservation project. We are forever grateful for his knowledge, coaching, and mentoring in more ways than we can count. His humor, diligence, and compassion made a lasting impression on Fellowship Square and his involvement will be missed.
We thank you for your time working with us as Vice President and all the contributions you have made to our program. Fellowship Square Foundation wishes you the best in retirement!
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Samantha Lee — Aging Unbound |
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Resident Samantha Lee discusses the positive aspects of growing older in observance of older Americans Month.
To keep herself on track for healthy aging, she exercises more and eats well. She also tells us that it is important not only to focus on physical needs but also mental ones, and this is where Hunters Woods programs nourish a positive state of mind and body for her.
Engaging with others in the community daily really benefits Samantha with regard to the aging process. These interactions make her feel that she is an important part of the community. This helps her combat the aging process and, even though time is passing, she doesn’t feel she is getting any older. Each year she still feels the same even though her physical state may be changing little by little.
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Breaking news this month was that the Surgeon General announced that loneliness and isolation are now a public health crisis. These statistics were of some concern prior to 2020 (the year of the pandemic), but since then we’ve seen a dramatic rise in the number of older adults who have expressed feelings of being on their own, no one to turn to and no one to talk to.
Fellowship Square continues to leverage our programs and activities to encourage residents to meet one another, socialize and engage in life around them. Unfortunately, having a cheerful word or encouraging someone to participate is not enough to get someone to actually open up about their feelings, their fears and develop a genuine connection with that person.
Thankfully, our service coordinators are trained to do more than just be a friendly face in the building. These professionals can understand the types of mental health issues that are most common in the later years of life; recommend mental health resources, specifically designed for older adults to residents and their families; and know the warning signs of mental distress, including suicide and know when to call for a higher level of care.
Working as a team, all of our staff know to pay attention to signs that may indicate someone is not in a good mental space. We have staff and healthcare partners willing to step in and help when needed.
Thanks to your support, we have the resources we need to provide to residents when they need help.
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VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT |
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Patti Berry’s Crafter’s Club Delights Largo Landing Residents |
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At the height of the pandemic, Patti Berry was faced with a dilemma. Like so many others in quarantine, she was feeling disconnected and isolated. Patti is a natural extrovert and felt like she needed to find a way to connect with other people. Then it occurred to her that the crafts she was working on could be put to a purpose and brighten other people’s lives. She started making birthday cards for Largo Landing residents and, thus, the Crafter’s Club was born.
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More than 15 million older adults are formally recognized volunteers, but nearly half of all seniors volunteer in some capacity. Volunteering can be a key component for overall health by providing physical activity, a sense of purpose, and social interaction.
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Largo Landing Fellowship House
During the month of May, residents at Largo Landing Fellowship House became gardeners! Gardening has been shown to lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety. It's gratifying to plant, tend, harvest and share one’s own food. Facilitated by Largo Landing’s Service Coordinator, Grace Foster, residents planted many different herbs like parsley and oregano. Routines, like watering and weeding, can create a soothing rhythm to ease stress and are beneficial to mental and physical well-being.
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Service Coordinator, Grace Foster and resident, Julia R. |
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Hunters Woods Fellowship House
Women's Health Care Month is observed annually in May. Hunters Woods Fellowship House hosted a presentation from an American Healthcare Professional Nurse Practitioner for women residents about how to make health a priority every day.
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A women’s health presentation educating our residents on how to stay healthy. |
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Lake Ridge Fellowship House
On May 19th, Lake Ridge held a Women’s Empowerment Luncheon. Residents enjoyed a delicious lunch, music & entertainment, raffles, and even an area to take selfies! The Servicer Coordinator, Nicole Harrison, also spoke about fall prevention and shared some words of affirmation for women.
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The women of Lake Ridge enjoying each other’s company at the special Mother's Day Lunch. |
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Welcome Lilith Luna!
Congratulations to Fellowship Square's Communications & Development Coordinator, Brenda Martinez! Baby Lilith Luna was born May 2nd, weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. and measuring 22 inches in length.
Brenda says, “Since becoming a mother, I have been in pure bliss! I’m excited to go through this journey with Lilith and see the wonderful person she will become. I am thankful to bring Lilith into my world and excited for the adventures we will share together.”
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Meet our New Communications Intern
I am pleased to spend my summer with the opportunity to learn and work with Fellowship Square. I am a senior at George Mason University majoring in communications, and I have an interest in studying psychology as well. My employment background is diverse - it includes working at a Taekwondo school where I was an instructor and after-school teacher and working in a physical therapy office helping patients. This internship is a wonderful opportunity for me to enhance my experience in my desired field, and to assist the communities around me.
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia and have spent my life in this area so far. Once I graduate from George Mason University, I hope to work for a PR firm that will allow me to develop my creative abilities. I also plan on returning to school to further my education in psychology. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking and photography. I love to try different coffee shops and bakeries in the DMV area and I’m always up for a new recommendation. Through this internship opportunity, I hope to help make a difference in the lives of the residents so they can thrive in their golden years!
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Reminder: If you have a Thrivent account, please designate Fellowship Square for donations
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Stay in touch with Fellowship Square on Facebook!
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We post articles, updates on activities and events, our monthly newsletter, and pertinent information regarding our properties. |
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