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Fellowship Square provides affordable housing and services for older adults.
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"Fall Back" Reminder
Holiday Fundraiser
Christy's Corner
Resident Life
Community Support
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Thank you Scott Parkin
Elder Abuse Information
New Team Members
Internships Available
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Community Changemakers 2019:
Get Inspired! Get Involved!
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Fellowship Square was pleased to participate in the Catalogue for Philanthropy’s Community Changemakers 2019 event that took place at Arena Stage on Monday, October 28. Featured as one of more than 70 nonprofits in this celebration of the metro area’s best local charities, Fellowship Square was able to showcase the great work we do and meet with potential volunteers and donors.
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More than 300 participants roamed through the expo to learn more about the Catalogue’s vetted nonprofits while enjoying great food and drinks. This event is just one of the many benefits of being included as “one of the best” in the
Catalogue for Philanthropy 2020
.
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The Fellowship Square social workers have been busy enrolling residents in the Senior Brown Bag, a USDA program administered by the
Capital Area Food Bank
. The program is open to people age 60 who live on a very low fixed income. Since 2012, hundreds of Fellowship Square residents have taken part in this food service which provides a critical source of a person’s monthly nutrition needs. The program delivers a monthly bag of groceries consisting of a variety of foods from the USDA, as well as purchased and locally donated foods, and up to 10 pounds of fresh produce.
Seniors face hunger and food insecurity at a higher rate than many other groups, in part because fixed incomes make healthy foods unaffordable. And, as we age, we aren’t able to manage the process of going to the store, shopping and carrying groceries back to our homes – these are all barriers seniors face every day just to have food in their cupboard.
A fundamental part of what we do at Fellowship Square is to fill the gaps our residents face in living a long healthy life – and this includes nutritious food. The Senior Brown Bag Food Program is just one of the many food services we offer to Fellowship Square residents.
But they need more – and we need your help. Join in our
“Tidings of Good Food” Senior Food Drive
. Drop off shelf stable food at any one of our Fellowship Houses by December 15 so that we are stocked up for Christmas and throughout the winter months.
You and I might take nutritious food on our table for granted – I assure you our residents do not. Please plan to donate much-needed food items to our residents this holiday season. Thank you!
In gratitude,
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Thank You for Your Service…
The Fellowship Square board, staff and community would like to thank outgoing board member,
Scott Parkin
, for his service to the organization.
Scott has served on the Fellowship Square board for two and a half years, served as its Vice President, and chaired the Public Relations/
Resource Development committee. Scott’s dedication to the mission of the organization was steadfast and unwavering… he will be missed.
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Many older adults are subject to mistreatment or being taken advantage of due to their vulnerable status. One in 10 adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited (according to the
National Council on Aging
). The CDC defines ‘elder abuse’ as an intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult (an adult 60 or over). Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, or sexual harm inflicted upon an older adult, their financial exploitation, or neglect of their welfare by people who are directly responsible for their care.
Although sometimes hard to spot, there are many signs of abuse of which one can watch be mindful. Some of these signs of abuse in an older adult include:
- Depressed mood, confusion, or a withdrawing from regular activities
- Isolation from friends and family
- Unexplained bruises, burns, or scars
- Poor appearance, dirty, underfed, dehydrated, over or under medicated, or not receiving needed care for medical problems
- Bed sores or other preventable conditions
- Recent changes in banking or spending patterns
- Displaying signs of trauma, like rocking back and forth
- Acting agitated or violent
Like many abuse victims, seniors who endure these kinds of mistreatment may be too frightened to report their situation. If you believe that an older adult is being abused, please call the
Eldercare Locator Hotline
at
1-800-677-1116
, or
911
if immediate danger is present. For more information, you can also call the
National Center on Elder Abuse
at 1-855-500-3537.
By Sahana Ven, FS Summer Intern
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Fellowship Square is pleased to welcome two new staff members to help support its mission:
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April Myers-Whitley
Community Manager,
Largo Landing Fellowship House
April joins the Largo Landing Fellowship House staff with over 15 years of property management experience that includes facilities management. Before property management, she worked in law enforcement for 15 years. April is excited to join the Fellowship team and support the residents at Largo Landing.
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Debi Ballard-Rious
Service Coordinator, Largo Landing Fellowship House
Debi, a healthcare and social service professional, has provided client-centered case management and customer service to the elderly for over 20 years. She firmly believes in service and advocacy for seniors; linking and collaborating with other providers for high-quality outcomes while promoting both medical and physical independence. Debi looks forward to supporting and working with the Largo Landing Fellowship House residents!
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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
!
We post articles, updates on activities and events, our monthly newsletter, and pertinent information regarding our properties.
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