This month saw a special gathering at Holly Creek for A Morning of Gratitude—a heartfelt celebration honoring CLC scholarship recipients. Attendees included scholarship recipients, generous donors to the Employee Scholarship Fund, members of the CLC Scholarship Committee, Board members, team members, residents, family, and friends. It was a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when the incredible CLC community comes together with a shared purpose.
At CLC we know that when our team members grow, we all grow. Since the launch of our Employee Scholarship Program, this belief has taken root and flourished.
With your support, more than $146,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 60 remarkable team members in the last three years alone. These scholarships are supporting degrees in nursing, business, healthcare administration, social work, leadership, as well as certifications that deepen professional expertise and impact.
Michelle Fraternali, the Executive Director of Holly Creek, noted that “Knowledge is power, and people have so much more confidence in their abilities and their skills. Not everyone has the opportunity to pursue education. This gives them the financial help that they may not have had otherwise.”
Your Generosity in Action
So far in 2025, 17 scholarships totaling $48,937 have been awarded. Most scholarships have been in clinical fields, with the majority supporting full degree programs. These are not just numbers! They represent team members who are courageously pursuing their dreams, investing in their futures, and choosing to enhance their meaningful careers in senior living.
Christine Njagi is a Registered Nurse at Holly Creek. She was awarded a scholarship to further her expertise by becoming an advanced practice RN with specialized training in mental health care. She is filled with gratitude for those supporters who have made her education possible: “To the generous donor—thank you for all you do,” she said. “You’ve supported me. You’ve inspired me to keep pushing. You’re not just funding an education. You’re changing lives.”
A Seed That Took Root
The scholarship program began as a simple idea – seed of hope and opportunity for the compassionate team members of CLC. Through your generosity, that seed has grown into a thriving initiative that’s transforming lives.
Each scholarship is a story of determination and heart. Behind every award is a team member showing up with purpose – serving residents with dignity and compassion, forming lasting relationships, and advancing their knowledge to better care for the older adults who call a CLC community home.
Denise Johnson’s parents lived at Holly Creek, and she was grateful and appreciative for their time in such a compassionate and supportive community. Though they passed away many years ago, Denise has remained involved with the CLC community as a member of the Scholarship Committee. She has found it rewarding and meaningful to help support team members in achieving their dreams. As she explained, “It’s a chance to step out of your own life and say, with all my gratitude, I want to help someone else’s life and give them the opportunity.”
The Heart of Our Mission
Our dedicated team members are the heartbeat of CLC. Supporting their growth is not just an investment in their careers, but in the future of our mission. Scholarships recipients have high levels of retention. They often report that they are able to use their enhanced skills and knowledge to better support the older adults they partner with in care.
When amazing supporters like you generously give to support the Employee Scholarship Fund, you are touching and transforming so many lives. As one Scholarship Committee member beautifully shared, “It feels like you’ve done something to improve someone else’s life—and at the same time, it’s improving yours. We’re a big family.”
Thank You for Believing in This Vision
To our scholarship recipients: thank you for saying yes—to your future, your families, and to our shared mission.
To our generous donors and supporters: thank you for making this possible by caring about and investing in CLC team members.
The CLC Scholarship Program is fully funded by supporters like you. It is an incredibly powerful example of community lifting community. Together, we’re creating opportunity, strengthening lives, and building a future rooted in compassion and excellence.
Thank you. Let’s keep dreaming, investing, and growing—together.
About the Author
Stephanie Manley is the Director of Philanthropy at Christian Living Communities. She has demonstrated a passion for building relationships with residents and staff. As a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stephanie is committed to ensuring our organization maintains ethical and accountable fundraising principles. She is passionate about being part of a mission-driven organization that invests in providing older adults with compassionate and purposeful living opportunities.
