On May 14, 2024, Silver Maples of Chelsea hosted its annual Scholarship Reception to honor donors, recipients, and scholarship committee members. This event underscores the community’s deep commitment to education and support for staff members’ academic journeys.
This year, the scholarship committee proudly awarded $38,700 to 13 deserving recipients from the Culinary Services and Resident Care teams. These scholarships are crucial in helping many staff members continue their college education while maintaining their employment at Silver Maples.
During the event, guest speaker Alexa Schumann, a Chelsea High School graduate and multi-year scholarship recipient, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the donors and shared valuable insights with current scholarship recipients. Alexa, who has worked in the Culinary Services department for five years throughout her high school and college years, has been awarded scholarships totaling $7,200. She shared, “The support I have received from Silver Maples residents and their families over the years has been life-changing; I am profoundly grateful. To current scholarship recipients, cherish this unique opportunity of being supported by the people you serve and work for—a scholarship program like this is a rarity in the workplace. The Silver Maples community truly cares about your well-being and wants you to succeed in the world.”
Alexa also highlighted how working at Silver Maples and receiving these scholarships enabled her to pursue her college dreams. She recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science and has begun a career in Lansing, working with a Congressman.
JoAnne Reynolds, Director of Human Resources, also shared: “The opportunity to learn job skills, build relationships with our treasured residents, and these amazing scholarship opportunities make Silver Maples a great first-time employment experience for our high school and college students. The generosity of our residents and their families in support of higher education is truly a blessing and is very much appreciated. This year, we were honored once again with the Great Place to Work award, which underscores our commitment to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment. Our scholarship program is a key part of what makes Silver Maples a great place to work, reflecting our dedication to investing in our staff’s future and helping them achieve their academic and career goals.”
Over the past six years, Silver Maples of Chelsea has awarded more than $208,400 in scholarships to its dedicated staff members, reflecting the community’s strong support for continuing education and professional development.
