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Fellowship Square provides affordable housing and services for older adults. |
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Roof is On at New Lake Anne House
Resident Life
Christy's Corner
Hugs on the Horizon
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Lake Ridge Rotary Cookout
Community Partner SN Mortgage
Welcome New Interns
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TOPPING OFF THE NEW LAKE ANNE HOUSE |
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One year into construction, we are proud to announce that the new Lake Anne House is “topped off,” a major milestone in new construction meaning that the roof is on the building. This allows the team to begin installing HVAC systems. More importantly, it gets the building substantially closer to being ‘weathertight’, which clears the path to beginning the installation of interior drywall and finishes. This also gets us closer to when our Lake Anne residents can move into their new homes! |
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Summer Awakening
Summer is in full swing, and our residents are out and enjoying life!
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Hunters Woods
Fellowship House
On June 6th, Hunters Woods Fellowship House welcomed Isabel Scarlett, CEO from Eden Senior Care Services, to discuss mindfulness and healthy living options.
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Largo Landing
Fellowship House
Largo Landing Fellowship House residents, Ms. Commodore and Mr. Gerald, helped to assort vitamins and healthy breakfast wraps for the Senior Immune System Program.
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Lake Anne
Fellowship House
On June 14, Lake Anne Fellowship House residents gathered to celebrate Flag Day and the many countries represented in the community.
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Lake Ridge
Fellowship House
June 5th 2021, Lake Ridge Fellowship House residents enjoyed the return of the Rotary Club BBQ!
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Fellowship House Wellness Center |
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Age, family genetics, and gender make it nearly impossible for older adults to avoid becoming a chronic disease statistic. Eighty percent of adults 65 and older have at least one condition, while 68% have two or more.
In the Fall of 2020, Fellowship Square conducted a survey of its 800+ residents. The top health concerns of our residents follow the top chronic health conditions of all older adults across the country:
- Arthritis/rheumatism
- Hypertension/high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- Heart disease
- Depression
- Chronic Kidney Disease
Managing existing conditions – and taking steps to mitigate their effects is a daily battle for individuals. At Fellowship Square, we take deliberate steps to encourage residents to see the doctor regularly, we remind them to pay attention to changes in their mental or physical health and we provide periodic, free onsite health check-ups from various health professionals.
In the coming months, we hope to establish an official “Wellness Center” that includes a robust roster of health specialists and on-going programming around the top chronic conditions and other health challenges that seniors face.
Older adults struggle to overcome the many barriers in preventing – and treating – chronic health conditions. We know that not every disease or condition can be prevented but having the help and support you need can make a difference in one’s quality of life. At Fellowship Square, we’re glad to provide that kind of support.
By creating a Fellowship House Wellness Center, we can engage more health specialists, community partners, volunteers and others who will play a key role in helping us deliver the support residents need.
Do you want to get involved in this effort? We appreciate all of those who have already stepped up to make our Wellness Center a success – and we look forward to welcoming many more.
In gratitude,
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This past year of quarantine has been anything but ordinary. From Zoom calls to masks, folks around the world were forced to reimagine their daily routines. For seniors especially, the risk of contracting COVID-19 disease meant taking extra precautions to protect their wellbeing. These precautions isolated seniors and removed an integral part of their lives, the hug. Social distancing measures made hugs virtually impossible from six feet away, and seniors were unable to embrace their families, friends and neighbors.
Luckily, these restrictions appear to be on their way out as the country continues to ‘reopen’ amidst dwindling infection rates. With vaccinations being made readily available in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released new guidelines for older adults who are fully vaccinated. Among other relaxed restrictions, these guidelines allow for vaccinated older adults to visit indoors with unvaccinated members of one other household. This means that families and friends separated by quarantine can once again meet to talk, sing, eat and most importantly, hug!
Hugs are much more than a way of showing affection. Scientific research has proven that hugs are valuable tools for reducing stress. They have even been shown to boost our immune systems for further protection against diseases. After a year without hugs, it is safe to say that we all could use a little extra TLC in our lives.
If you or a loved one has yet to be vaccinated, signing up is easier than ever. You can visit vaccines.gov for more info on the COVID-19 vaccine, and to find a vaccination center nearest you.
By Tyler Thorne, Fundraising Intern
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VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHTS |
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Lake Ridge Rotary Cook-Out |
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On Saturday, June 5, Lake Ridge Fellowship House residents were treated to a cook-out with all the fixings and live country music provided the Rotary Club of Lake Ridge, a longtime community partner. Approximately twenty Rotary members cooked and served hamburgers, hotdogs, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, baked beans and cold drinks to residents and staff. The music even inspired some folks to dance. According to Lake Ridge Community Manager Susan Hoffler, “The band was phenomenal, the food was delicious, the attendance was more than expected and the laughter and fellowship was refreshing.” Our thanks to the Rotary Club for planning and executing an awesome event!
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Fellowship Square is pleased to work with Security National Mortgage Company (SN Mortgage) as a relatively new community partner. In November and again in late May, employees from SN Mortgage Company volunteered to make door-to-door food deliveries as part of the “Fellowship Fresh” program. Mid-Atlantic Executive Regional Manager Scott Shelton recently interviewed Christy Zeitz to discuss Fellowship Square, Fellowship House and our mission. They also talk about the importance of community involvement, volunteerism and strategic partnerships to their success in this short video.
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Welcome to Fellowship Square's
Newest Interns
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Tina Gau
Programs Intern
Tina is currently a student at Oakton High School. She became interested in Fellowship Square as an organization after seeing how much it meant to her grandparents, who are currently residents. This made her want to become more involved with the organization and assist in organizing and planning resident programs, especially during the pandemic.
As an intern, she hopes to help strengthen and further Fellowship Square's resident services in maintaining intellectual, spiritual, social and physical wellness. In the future, she hopes to study math and finances in college.
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Minister Wanda Elliott
Spiritual Wellness Program Intern
Minister Elliott is a licensed minister with 20 years of experience providing educational, counseling and ministerial guidance to all demographics and has served in capacities of lecturer, counselor, associate minister and Assistant Pastor for Congregational Care.
Minister Elliott earned an undergraduate degree in Professional Biology and a Masters of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State University (where she was a member of the Lady Bulldogs Basketball team and Student Government) and furthered studies toward a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at Old Dominion University in Virginia and a Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
Minister Elliott looks forward to joining the Fellowship Square at Largo Landing, as Chaplain Intern and providing residents with spiritual and mental wellness through, spiritual lecture series, activities and coaching sessions.
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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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