The rain outside didn’t dampen the atmosphere inside Hunters Woods Fellowship House on Saturday, May 18. There was plenty of laughter, smiles, and gratitude as more than 100 residents, community partners, donors, volunteers, and board members came together to celebrate another successful year for Fellowship Square.

Guests enjoyed an "indoor" floral garden party with live music, delicious food, and beverages, including everyone’s favorite beer from Aslin Beer Co. Guests also saw an impressive Tai Chi performance by Hunters Woods Fellowship House.

Fellowship Square honored many of our dedicated and passionate supporters:

·      Karen Wen

·     Lake Ridge Rotary Club

·      Minnie Orozco and Cornerstones

·      Prince George's County Sheriff’s Department

·      Lee Altman

·      Sara Gentry, Sentara Health

·      Dr. Pamela Spencer

·      RestonStrong

·      Tori Chow, Capital Area Food Bank

Thanks to everyone who attended to celebrate our mission. We were honored to have Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn attend and acknowledge the important work volunteers and community partners do for our residents. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn!

Fellowship Square’s mission is to improve the lives of older adults who struggle to make ends meet through affordable housing and supportive services. We would not be able to carry out this mission without our donors, community partners, and volunteers. Thank you to all who help us bring joy to our residents throughout all of our Fellowship Houses.

Fellowship Square held its annual business meeting and were honored to have Ms. Courtney Nuzzo, the Executive Director at The Lewinsville, an affordable housing community in McLean, Virginia. The presenter gave a keynote presentation to deliver more affordable housing in Northern Virginia.

Additionally, attendees voted to renew and add the following people to our Fellowship Square Board of Directors:

·      Eddie Byrne

·      Dan Flavin

·      Mark Fleming

·      Carl Jenkins

·      John Kelly

In addition, we renewed and added new corporate members to our Board of Directors, including Mr. Adam Nalls and Ms. Luzette Njweipi. We are honored to have so many dedicated and committed board members working to enhance our mission every day.

Secretary Kristin Norris presented Fellowship Square Board of Directors President Dan Flavin with a plaque recognizing his years of service to Fellowship Square and our residents. We recognized Eddie Byrne, John Gray, Carl Jenkins, Robert “Sarge” Sargeant, and Allison Watts for their ten years of service to Fellowship Square.

Earlier this month, we hosted the 2024 Fellowship Square Foundation Annual Meeting of our Members with the theme “Closing the Gap on the Affordable Housing Crisis.” It’s clear from a recent report issued by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University that the country is woefully under producing new housing which is exacerbating the lack of affordable options, particularly for seniors who struggle to make ends meet.

Fellowship Square is working to address both issues by developing new affordable senior housing and creating models for better supportive services. We are pursuing new opportunities that include strategic partnerships for in-home support and healthcare services that would be delivered onsite directly to Fellowship House residents. This is the future of senior affordable housing. I urge you to get involved in the work we do – help us develop new programs, services and support for seniors so that they can live comfortably, securely, independently and so they never have to worry about losing their home or where their next meal will come from.

Largo Landing Fellowship House resident James Norris’ attitude and helper spirit has earned him a nomination into the 2024 Maryland Senior Citizen Hall of Fame.

Norris, 83, moved into Largo Landing in January of 2021. He is known as the “Largo Landing Angel” because he is active in all aspects of his community from planning and executing events, serenading his neighbors and friends for their birthdays, and hosting “Man Cave Mondays” to discuss the past weekend’s sports news and results, especially the Washington Commanders. Norris’ infectious smile and attitude creates a loving, inclusive atmosphere at Largo Landing Fellowship House.

Pastor Weniger, of the Lake Ridge Baptist Church, offers bereavement counseling weekly to residents. His empathetic approach and spiritual guidance help them navigate their grief, fostering a sense of community and supporting them during difficult times. By addressing their emotional and spiritual needs, Pastor Weniger plays a crucial role in helping individuals find solace and healing.

South Lakes High School's Generation-to-Generation Art Program recently hosted "The Universal Language of Beauty" art workshop, an event that celebrated the diverse expressions of beauty through art. This workshop provided residents and students a unique opportunity to explore various artistic mediums and techniques, fostering their creativity and broadening their cultural perspectives. By engaging with different interpretations of beauty, both residents and students were encouraged to develop their own artistic voice and appreciate the universal nature of art as a means of communication and connection.

Happy Mother's Day! Families celebrated a heartwarming event acknowledging the invaluable contributions of Mothers. The highlight of the event was a touching tribute of personal stories and an expression of their gratitude. The program featured handmade gifts and flowers for all the Mothers, making it a memorable occasion that honored their dedication and love.