Friendship Senior Options Foundation Invests in Our Youth

Friendship Senior Options Foundation has awarded scholarships to five outstanding graduating high school seniors. Madison Astling and Jessica Kock, both from Batavia High School, and Margarita Ramirez from Schaumburg High School received Associate Scholarships, meaning that they work at GreenFields of Geneva or Friendship Village of Schaumburg. Roshni Patel of Streamwood High School and Arreyellen Salyards of St. Charles North High School received Community Scholarships meaning that they live within the Geneva and Schaumburg area. All of the awardees will each receive $1,000 from the Foundation's scholarship program.

Friendship Senior Options operates two retirement communities: Friendship Village of Schaumburg and GreenFields of Geneva. Friendship Senior Options Foundation fosters an environment of philanthropic giving in order to enrich the lives of seniors in the area.

Both Friendship Village and GreenFields 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.

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 dozens of applications for the five scholarships. Each was reviewed anonymously by a selection committee led by residents of both communities along with one Foundation board member 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, Foundation manager. "We had incredible applicants!"

The Friendship Senior Options Foundation scholarships have 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.