2017 WINTER ISSUE
In This Issue
PresidentsMessage
President's Update
Renee Jakobs headshot
Renee Jakobs, Board President
With winter soon upon us, I'd like to wish all of our friends, supporters, residents, their families, and staff a very warm and happy holiday season. I'd also like to wish you a fond farewell. In January, I will be leaving the Fellowship Square board for a six-month sojourn overseas. Our very able vice president, Eddie Byrne, will be stepping into the president's role. You may know Eddie from his work on the Lake Anne redevelopment. In that and in all other capacities, Eddie has been the calm, clear voice of reason. We have been working together with Christy for a smooth transition and I leave with confidence that the organization is in good hands.  
 
We have accomplished a tremendous amount over the past year, restructuring the organization with the hiring of our wonderful executive director, Christy Zeitz; engaging SL Nusbaum as our property manager, which has brought new competencies and efficiency to our operations; improving governance by updating the corporate bylaws; and increasing the financial resources that enable us to carry out the mission. We continue making progress toward the Lake Anne redevelopment, and are looking ahead to the opportunity to recapitalize and modernize the Hunters Woods Fellowship House in 2019. We have just completed a strategic planning process that will focus our efforts to deliver on the mission.  
 
I'm grateful for all who've worked to make Fellowship Square an organization that's truly making life better for seniors. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you and the Fellowship Square community.
 
Renee Jakobs
Board President, Fellowship Square Foundation
ZikaA Focus on Health: Zika, Flu Shots, and Bed Bugs (Oh my!)

powerpoint presentation
There have been six confirmed cases of Zika Virus in Virginia and 10 cases in Maryland so far in 2017 and, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), "there seems to be a higher risk of Guillian-Barre in older adults than there is in young people." Guillian-Barre syndrome is a post-infection complication that can lead to temporary paralysis in adults. In addition, many residents travel overseas to countries where there have been outbreaks of the virus.
 
Although the risk of contracting Zika Virus is lower during the off-peak mosquito season starting in November, residents should still be aware of the risks and ways to prevent Zika. Fairfax Health Department visited the Hunters Woods and Lake Anne Fellowship Houses to present about Zika Virus to residents. The speaker highlighted the symptoms, preventions and treatment of the virus.
 
In addition, residents of both Fellowship Houses received flu shots through Fairfax County and the Rite Aid Flu Clinic. The CDC stresses how important it is for people 65 and older to get a flu shot each year because they are at high risk for complications from flu.
Holiday
Celebrating the Holidays,
from Halloween to New Year's
Halloween photo
Residents had a spooky good time dressing up for Halloween, and what's Halloween without a little friendly competition? Largo Landing Fellowship House residents held a costume contest and Halloween Bingo Party. House staff at Hunters Woods Fellowship House coordinated a Halloween Party for residents that included a fun photo booth! Residents had the opportunity to dance, eat and be merry in the spirit of Halloween.
people in dining room
servers behind cafeterial line
Christmas decorations
Thanksgiving is a time to share your thanks, and this year was no exception! Maryland State Delegate C. Anthony Muse hosted a pre-Thanksgiving Dinner for the residents at Largo Landing Fellowship House. Love Wins Community Table joined residents at Hunters Woods Fellowship House for a Thanksgiving Celebration.
 
After that last bite of pumpkin pie, we all know what time it is: it's the Christmas season and the Largo Landing Christmas Party is this year's premier event! Residents enjoy coming together to celebrate with music, great friends and great food.
3 ladies at a table
Lake Anne Fellowship House is looking to give back this holiday season: they have launched their annual Holiday Drive to support residents and are currently collecting winter clothes, gift cards and Christmas Baskets from the community. 

Staff have planned many fun activities and events throughout the month of December, bringing cheer and fun to the residents.
Safety
Important Presentations for Residents on Safety, Health and Other Topics
two men in green shirts fixing up a bathroom
Fall-Prevention Project, Hunters Woods Fellowship House
 
Fellowship Square Foundation received a contribution from SunTrust Bank for bathroom upgrades for residents at Hunters Woods Fellowship House. The grant received was used to purchase showerheads, grab bars and safety treads for accessibility modifications. In order to determine resident needs, the Wellness Team, led by Ms. Melanie Bush of Fairfax Rehabilitation, assessed residents by distributing wellness surveys during the Age Out Loud celebration and various other events scheduled at Hunters Woods. The survey used pictograms and was presented in at least five languages to identify equipment and needs of each resident surveyed. After receiving all the surveys, the team was able to prioritize the residents who were in need of safety upgrades.
 
In partnership with Rebuilding Together, 30 volunteers helped to make the accessibility modifications in 70 units. At the completion of the work, the House staff inspected the installation to ensure it was completed without any anticipated maintenance follow up. This is a prime example of a true community partnership between many organizations and couldn't have happened without the efforts of many.
Transportation Seminar Presented by Fairfax County Tuesday, Oct. 10
 
Transportation services are in high demand among seniors throughout Fairfax County. To address the growing requests from residents, the Resident Services Coordinator at Hunters Woods Fellowship House coordinated a speaker from the Department of Transportation to speak about the many low-cost options seniors have for getting around the County and to their most requested destinations, such as grocery stores, shopping malls and doctor's appointments.  Residents learned about Fastran, MetroAccess, and the taxi voucher program that include Senior-On-the-Go!, Dial-a-Ride, and Taxi Access.
 

Seniors on the Go!
Taxi Access
Dial-A-Ride
Qualifications
* Must be a resident of Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax

* Must be 65 years of age or older

* Annual Income must be $40,000 or less for an individual or $50,000 or less for a married couple
* Must be a resident of Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax

* Must be a registered user of MeteroAccess
* Must be a resident of Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax

* Annual Income must be 225% below  Federal Poverty Guidelines (see table below)
Cost
$20 per $33 coupon book
$10 per $33 coupon book
$10 per $33 coupon book
Allowance
16 Coupon books per year (July 1 through June 30)
8 Coupon books per year (July 1 through June 30)
16 Coupon books per year (July 1 through June 30)

LakeAnne
Lake Anne Redevelopment Update
Progress continues on the redevelopment of Lake Anne Fellowship House as we set our sights on breaking ground in late-2019, with completion scheduled for 2021. Here are some key highlights and some dates to look forward to:
 
people at meeting

Rezoning

The rezoning application, which includes the Development Plan and draft Proffers, was filed on November 8 and accepted for official review by the Planning Department on December 1. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will host a community meeting December 11. We anticipate public hearings at the Fairfax County Planning Commission on our application in May or June 2018

 

Resident Outreach  

2 men looking at chart

Residents had the opportunity to prioritize their preferred amenities from an extensive list of 15 options at a meeting held on September 21. A follow-up resident meeting was held on October 26 to present the exterior and interior conceptual idea. On November 13, our partner CPDC's Community Impact Strategies staff conducted a needs assessment of residents in small group settings with more than 100 residents participating.

 

Community Outreach  

CPDC briefed Supervisor Hudgins staff on the building design and site plan being submitted to Fairfax County. A community meeting, sponsored by Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, has been scheduled for December 11 to present the new Lake Anne House plan to the community and Reston Association. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Drive, Reston, VA 20190.

 
This is an exciting time for Fellowship Square and the residents of Lake Anne Fellowship House. We will continue to provide you with status updates through the Redevelopment process: it's important to us to have feedback from residents as well as the surrounding community.
OpportunitiesManaging Opportunities and a New Path Forward
It's been nearly a year since SL Nusbaum was selected as the new property management company for Fellowship Square. During this time, they've helped bring about enhancements and improvements to ensure a better quality of life for residents, such as improving communications to residents by offering more documents in more languages as well as upcoming improvements to the facilities and surrounding properties, like the new canopy and parking lot at Largo Landing Fellowship Houses.
Lake Ridge Fellowship House Exterior
 
The staff at Lake Ridge have been working tirelessly to improve, upgrade and remodel the building to make it more comfortable for the current residents, future residents and to extend the life of the building for years to come. Important improvements include replacing the heating and cooling systems, replacing the hot water heaters, adding a generator for when the power goes off, and important elevator modifications.
 
Other improvements that are visible to Lake Ridge Fellowship House visitors and residents include new windows and sliding doors throughout the building, a recumbent bike for the exercise room; new carpeting; upgraded and new computer equipment, including three new monitors, four new hard drives/CPUs and a new printer; laundry room upgrades including new flooring in common areas and new furniture to enhance the décor throughout the building. Our entire building both inside and outside has been upgraded to LED lighting. Because granite is more durable and requires less maintenance, we have replaced the countertops in more than half of the 100 units at Lake Ridge Fellowship House with granite. We have replaced linoleum floors with ceramic tile because it is durable and lasts longer. Seventy-nine residents have received new energy-efficient refrigerators and Lake Ridge will replace several more older models with the energy efficient models.
DonateToday
Help Improve the Lives of More than 750 Seniors: Donate Today
We are wrapping up one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking years in Fellowship Square's 60-year history. We have taken major steps to improve operations, increase the long-term value of our properties, and better support our residents through new programs and services that will help to keep them living independently as long as they are able.
 
Because of supporters like you, we are on the path for new and better things at Fellowship Square. Please support our ongoing efforts with a  year-end donation  that will help us achieve our goals and ultimately improve the lives of the 750 residents that call Fellowship House home.
 
When I came to Lake Ridge Fellowship House, I recognized it then as a gift from God. Peace and time had been given to me for my final years - release from all the desperate struggles of our times. Peace and time: these things being so badly needed, spiritually, by all. 

All of you who have a part in the working of this miracle, you do God's work indeed. Only I like to think how, someday, such a miracle might be made possible for all.
 
- Marjorie Richard, Lake Ridge Resident
woman in room looking at camera
 
Please consider a tax-deductible  year-end donation  to support Fellowship Square. Your generosity is very important to our continued success.
Rachel
Fellowship Square Foundation Hires New Program Manager
Rachel Johnson headshot
Rachel Johnson, CAE, joined Fellowship Square Foundation in November 2017 as the new Program Manager, a position newly created to ensure staff capacity to carry out the organization's mission. Johnson will oversee office operations, manage communications and marketing efforts, and assist with fundraising campaigns and community outreach and events.

Johnson has worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade. During that time, she has been recognized for her Communications and Public Relations efforts from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), PR News and the Association Forum and USAE, among others. In 2013, Johnson received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, the highest professional credential in the association industry.
 
"I've always strived to give back in some small way," remarked Johnson. "Whether it was creating and implementing grassroots outreach programs to educate the public on important life-saving messages, or working within the Fellowship Square community to enhance the lives of the seniors in the Houses, I've felt it's my personal responsibility to do good for others."
When Johnson isn't working with Fellowship Square Foundation, she spends her time with her husband, young daughter and not-so-young dog. Johnson is an avid traveler and has had the opportunity to explore the world, from the Great Wall of China to the Kremlin to the coral reefs of Costa Rica.
 
"No matter how far I've traveled from home, Northern Virginia is an important part of my life. I'm originally from Baltimore, so I understand the unique culture of the D.C. metro area and the challenges it can present to its residents. That's why I'm so excited to work with the Fellowship Square Foundation: I look forward to interacting with the residents of the Houses and learning how the Foundation can help this unique and wonderful community."

InvolvedGet 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. 
 
 

DonateDonate 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
czeitz@fellowshipsquare.org or (703) 860-2536.

Thank you!


ThrivantIf you are a Thrivent Financial
customer, be sure to designate Fellowship Square Foundation in your annual giving.

Mission
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 older adults.

Our communities, through mutual support and by facilitating access to services,
foster independence, dignity, and healthy and vibrant lifestyles.


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