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Community Corner

Friendship Senior Options Foundation Invests in Our Youth

Friendship Senior Options Foundation has awarded scholarships to four outstanding graduating high school seniors.  Rachel Mathys of Elburn, Dhrumil Shah of Hoffman Estates, Hillary Dunn of South Elgin and Jamie Navid of St. Charles will each receive $500  for the Foundation’s inaugural scholarship program.

Friendship Senior Options operates two retirement communities: Friendship Village of Schaumburg and GreenFields of Geneva.  Both communities have strong ties to young people. Residents enjoy intergenerational events regularly and have formed strong bonds with the high school students who work in their communities.  In launching the scholarship program, Stephen Yenchek, President and CEO explained that FSO’s commitment to seniors extends beyond their current services. “Friendship Senior Options (FSO) is a proud leader within the senior care industry. Our mantra is ‘Get Set!’ and we believe that education is the key to preparing for the future. We’re proud to offer these scholarships to students advancing their education and consider this to be one of the many ways we invest in the future of our communities.”

There were almost three dozen applications for the four scholarships.  Each was reviewed anonymously by residents of both communities, two Foundation Board members, and the Foundation Manager.  “The applications were scored on categories including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service, work experience, recognition and honors, essay response, and candidates’ embodiment of FSO core values,” said Kate Garbarek, Foundations Manager.  “We had incredible applicants!”

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The four Friendship Senior Options Foundation scholarships will become an annual part of the Foundation’s efforts to impact its communities.

Friendship Senior Options is the not-for-profit organization that sponsors two of the Chicago area’s leading Continuing Care Retirement Communities:  Friendship Village of Schaumburg and GreenFields of Geneva.  We are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to satisfy the critical needs of the senior living marketplace.  Friendship Senior Options provides a range of services for seniors in Chicago including independent living assisted living, skilled care, rehabilitation therapy, home services and memory support.  For more information, visit www.FriendshipSeniorOptions.org or call 847-884-5300.

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