AUGUST 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
Donor Spotlight
Volunteer & Community Partners
Resident Life
Christy's Corner
Welcome New Board Member
National Senior Citizen's Day
Become a Board Member
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Judy Koucky
Judy Koucky head shot
At 85 years of age, Judy Koucky has plenty to be thankful for. That includes her good health, stable housing, and access to necessary services. Yet, Judy finds herself most thankful for the ability to continuously “provide care to those in need.” She has supported Fellowship Square’s mission for over 36 years. Judy has served the organization in multiple roles, as a corporate member, volunteer, and secretary of the Board of Directors.

A lasting impression of her time on the board is the relationship she developed with Dr. John Scherzer (1901-1994), the founder, and first President of Fellowship Square. Judy alludes to the charitable spirit she observed in Dr. Scherzer, as he “would always focus upon the specific needs of the community he lived in.” She remembers Dr. Scherzer as a man with a knack for community engagement, who always employed the help of others in solving societal issues.

And while Dr. Scherzer is no longer with us today, Judy Koucky has witnessed his legacy blossom within Fellowship Square. When asked about the changes she has observed over her years with the organization, Judy speaks to the community-centric innovations that would make Dr. Scherzer proud. This includes reaching out to new community partners, hosting more social gatherings, and implementing a Resident Life Director who ensures that a consistent model of service is offered throughout each Fellowship Square property.

Judy also offers advice to the next generation of those looking to become involved with the organization. She wants younger folks to first develop their own understanding of Fellowship Square and the issues it solves, because the “initiative to help has to come from someone engaged.” She encourages those interested to seek volunteer opportunities for both long- and short-term projects, to become further acquainted with the organization’s work. There is no single, best avenue for involvement with Fellowship Square, but Judy observed that the strongest relationships were developed through mutual trust between the individual and organization.

Fellowship Square is grateful to keep Judy Koucky as a trusted advocate and is more than thankful for her countless years of service. With the help of supporters like Judy, Fellowship Square is able to develop communities with safe, affordable, and quality housing and a continuum of services for older adults. 
VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY PARTNER FOCUS
Asa Gurney
ASA Gurney head shot
This summer, recent South Lakes High School graduate Asa Gurney volunteered twice a week at Hunters Woods Fellowship House delivering food donations and staffing a game station at the Fun Fair. “It makes me feel really good. I just like helping people a lot and I like seeing how grateful everyone is when we deliver the food.” Asa learned of Fellowship Square volunteer opportunities through his father, Steve Gurney, who is the founder and publisher of the Positive Aging Sourcebook.

Asa’s future plans include attending James Madison University (JMU) and majoring in Finance. He is also working on obtaining his real estate license, and for fun, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing baseball and skateboarding.

When asked about his greatest strength, “Persistence because I always see things to the end. I always keep going no matter what happens in my life. Sometimes, (with) volunteering, (it) can be hard to wake up and go, to keep doing the same thing, but if you’re persistent, you just keep doing it."
group outside at a fair
SHARE Food Network
three people with carts of donated food in bags
Did you know that Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington operates the SHARE Food Network in the Washington, DC metropolitan area? The SHARE Food Network is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to offering healthy, nutritious groceries at a roughly 50 percent discount.  This is accomplished through high-volume purchasing and thousands of volunteer hours, which strengthens the community for all.  SHARE food packages are available to anyone who is interested. This month Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington is providing SHARE food boxes for all interested residents of Largo Landing Fellowship House.  We are so grateful for this generous donation!

Shown at left: residents Eugene Fletcher, Reta Lee, and Melvin Awkward.
four people in a room with cartons stacked on tables that have the catholic charities logo stamped on them
RESIDENT LIFE
It's Been a Very Active Summer!
* Per CDC guidelines, everyone in our buildings is wearing masks indoors
woman in mask facing camera
Largo Landing Fellowship House

Residents learned about the importance of an advance directive from Community Angels Nursing Services representative Melisa Koppal
woman looking at items on a table
Hunters Woods Fellowship House

Residents celebrated Apple Jam-Slavic Cultural Festival. Folk band “Funk Lore” performed traditional music and residents also enjoyed a display of traditional Slavic folk clothing and musical instruments. Classic apple pie and refreshing crisps were served in traditional Russian Tea Party-style. 
Lake Ridge Fellowship House

Residents enjoyed a spread of donated goodies from Panera Bakery. 
table covered in red check tablecloth with trays of bread on tp
woman at table filled with trays of bread
Lake Anne Fellowship House

Residents enjoying line dance class.
group of ladies doing a line dance
CHRISTY'S CORNER
No Fall Zone
During the last year of the pandemic, Fellowship Square seniors struggled to stay active. For many months, they stayed in their homes with little physical activity; when they did go out it was only for necessities like groceries or doctors’ visits, but not for exercise. 

According to a National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan, declines in physical functioning are common among older adults and can increase the risk for falls. We know that falls may lead to serious injuries – and exacerbate the aging process; someone can go from independent living at Fellowship House to assistant living all because of a fall due to lack of balance.

September is National Fall Prevention Month, and we have several programs and activities to help our seniors learn how to improve their balance, perform regular exercise, and pay attention to their own aging process. Falls are an on-going risk as people age. Strengthening the core and leg muscles are important steps that improve balance, which helps reduce the risk falling.
Many of our residents have eagerly signed up for our weekly physical activity programs. With the help of staff, residents enjoy regular walks outdoors around the property and gentle yoga in the community rooms. We hope to implement additional physical activity options for residents – something that appeals to each one of them. If you’d like to get involved, please reach out! We are seeking volunteers and community partners to help us implement more programs that help keep our seniors active and healthy. Thank you. 

In gratitude,
Christy Zeitz
CEO
WELCOME
Lake Ridge Fellowship House’s Newest Board Member
Wavery Brown Head shot
Wavery Brown has been a resident of Virginia (Woodbridge) since 1999. Her employer (Battelle) relocated her from Richland, Washington to Washington, DC in 1998 to manage the Battelle office.

Since her retirement in 2012, she became a Real Estate Agent; served on community HOAs in several board capacities; worked in real estate leadership positions; and currently volunteers with Belmont Elementary School where she provides weekend meals, school supplies, clothes for students, and holiday and Christmas meals for needed families. Wavery has been a Rotarian since 2017 where she holds a leadership role with the Rotary Club of Lake Ridge.

Wavery enjoys seeing our seniors live with dignity and loving life.  The residents of Lake Ridge Fellowship House have become a part of her life and she always looks forward to time spent with them.
NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZEN'S DAY
Group of five senior men and women
Celebrating Seniors
National Senior Citizen’s Day is celebrated on August 21st every year and not only raises awareness on the condition of older people and how to help them through the aging process; it also recognizes their accomplishments. National Senior Citizen’s Day dates back to the Ronald Reagan Presidency in 1988 when he signed Proclamation 5847 on August 19th, 1988, making August 21st a day to honor the great Senior Citizens of the United States.

Reagan praised seniors through a speech he made that day saying, “For all that, they have achieved throughout their lives and for all that they continue to do, we owe our gratitude and sincere greetings to our senior citizens. We can show our gratitude and appreciation better by making sure our communities are good places. Age and maturity, places where older people can participate as much as possible and find the encouragement, acceptance, support and services they need to continue living a life of independence and dignity.”

Today we are here 33 years later, and senior citizens are more active than ever. Tremendous strides have been made for the health of senior citizens and many more opportunities exist than in years past. Organizations such as Fellowship Square have taken extra steps to address the needs of seniors – especially those with limited means - by raising funds and providing food and housing, and promoting senior health and wellness initiatives.

How can you celebrate National Senior Citizen’s Day? Spend time with the seniors in your life - make sure they know how appreciated they are and be sure you can help with whatever needs they have in their daily lives!

By Max Norcross, Marketing Intern
4 hands clasping wrists to form a square of hands
Join Us and Make a Difference

If you’re interested in getting involved as a potential board member, reach out to the CEO, Christy Zeitz, for more info… become a board member!
Reminder: If you have a Thrivent account, please designate Fellowship Square for donations
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