
The Village on Roeser is just one of four FSL properties where the organization’s resident services program operates (submitted photo).
With the arrival of the holiday season, FSL (Foundation for Senior Living) is looking for volunteers to sign up for their Christmas Angels program. They are looking for individuals or companies that are willing to sponsor a gift up to $30 for a low-income senior or adult with serious mental illness. The gifts will be distributed to FSL adult group homes or to individuals living in low-income housing properties throughout Maricopa County.
Volunteers need to sign up by Dec. 10 and deliver a wrapped gift to FSL’s corporate office, located at 1201 E. Thomas Road in Phoenix, by Dec. 13. Once residents sign up, information about their Angel and a list of gift options will be sent to them. To learn more or sign up, email adeleon@fsl.org.
In addition, in November, the PNC Foundation announced that it awarded the FSL a $20,000 grant to assist in the implementation of a resident services program that will provide support at four affordable housing communities, helping vulnerable residents continue to live independently and age safely in place.
“We are thankful for the support from the PNC Foundation as we implement these resident services,” said Tami Bohannon, president and CEO of FSL. “As we see an increase in homelessness in Arizona, it is our goal to work with our current residents to avoid any situations that could put their health, wellness or home at risk.”
The organization has identified several residents who need an additional safety net and resources to maintain their independent housing. Property managers work to address these unique challenges and help residents avoid lease violations that could jeopardize their housing.
In addressing this need, FSL developed the resident services program that operates at Acacia Heights, 29 Palms, Spectrum Courtyard and Village on Roeser. It focuses on providing necessary support services for residents, developing programs and resources that support wellness, working with residents to understand lease requirements and house rules, advocating for residents and providing information on community services, and working as an intermediary between residents, often serving in a support role for them during difficult times.
The grant from PNC will support the resident services coordinator role created to implement and operate the program. The coordinator works with residents and property managers to connect them to community resources that address the following: eviction diversion, financial literacy, hoarding, social isolation, technology applications, pharmacy discounts, smoking cessation, scam prevention, Medicare supplements/insurance coverage questions, food insecurity, transportation barriers, mental health and substance abuse counseling and disease prevention.
To learn more about FSL’s affordable housing services, visit www.fsl.org/real-estate-services.