2025 Employee Education Fund Scholarships

At LifeSpire of Virginia, we are committed to caring for our residents and our dedicated team members. One way we fulfill this promise is by investing in team member growth and well-being through contributions to the Employee Education Fund.

Each year, the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation awards scholarships to current team members—and their children or grandchildren—who are pursuing higher education. This year, over $40,000 in scholarships was awarded to 35 recipients enrolled in accredited colleges and universities. These awards are more than just financial support—they are an investment in the future of compassionate caregivers, dedicated team members, and aspiring professionals.

“It is a wonderful feeling to know that I am supported by the place I love to serve,” notes team member Kelly Bennett, a scholarship recipent studying for her nursing degree. “I am not sure that I would be as successful if I didn’t have the prayers, kindness, and generosity of everyone at The Culpeper and LifeSpire.”

The Chesapeake

Camila Piovano, Home Health
Hassana Sparks, Culinary
Katie Riter, Culinary

The Culpeper

Abigail Claveloux, Dining
Alayzia Robinson (Celeste Lee, Med Tech)
Carla Alvarez Mendez, Dining
Danielle Mays-Patterson, Assisted Living
Joshua Sewordor (Alba Sewordor, Dining)
Kelly Ann Bennett, Assisted Living
Megan Newman, Healthcare
Oscar Wentz (Carolyn Wentz, Dietary)
Sadie Wentz (Carolyn Wentz, Dietary)
Shanice Thomas, Memory Support
Teresa Lewis, Administration
Zana Tibbs (Tanya Tibbs, Staffing Coordinator)

The Summit

Adrianna Reynolds (April Ruff, Nursing)
Ryenne Flood (Marjetta Flood, Assisted Living)

The Glebe

Aniyah Johnson, Dining
Braydon Whorley, Dining
Colton Bowman, Dining
Emily Campbell, Home Health
Emily Dimon, Nursing
Lindsey Boone, Dining
Bethany Laymon (Darlene Martin, Transportation)

Lakewood

Anthony Lewis (Vernita Lewis, Healthcare)
Austin Burks, Dining
Cadence Goodnight, Dining
Elijah Johnson (Vernita Lewis, Healthcare)
Elizabeth Clair Duffey, Dining
Jannie Torrico, Healthcare
Julie Hahn, Dining
Lexi Brooke Dull (Amy Curry, Administration)
Mariah Whiteside, Dining
Prince Babonye, Healthcare
Tiffany Coleman, Healthcare

The VBH Foundation’s Employee Education Fund provides awards on an annual basis. The fund relies on the generosity of donors for sustainability. The LifeSpire team is grateful for the kindness of residents, families and colleagues who give to the Foundation to assist team members financially with scholarships and crisis awards. To learn more about the programs providing support to team members, visit lifespireliving.org/give/employee-support

Since 1946, LifeSpire of Virginia has been committed to shaping the future of aging services with innovation, compassion, and community at its core. It all began in Culpeper, Virginia, when we broke ground on our very first senior living community. That moment marked not only the start of a physical space, but the beginning of a mission to redefine what it means to age well.

Today in 2025, LifeSpire continues to break new ground, quite literally, as we expand both our residential offerings and amenities to meet the evolving needs of today’s older adults. Across our communities, we are adding modern Hybrid Homes and cottages that blend independence with security and comfort. These thoughtfully designed spaces reflect our belief that home should be a place of both rest and possibility.

At The Chesapeake, in Newport News, Virginia, we recently broke ground on an exciting addition: a covered outdoor pickleball pavilion. This new amenity is more than just a sports court — it’s a space for fellowship, wellness, and fun. It will be a place where residents and team members come together to enjoy friendly matches, build relationships, and stay active. The pavilion reflects our commitment to not only supporting physical health but also creating opportunities for connection and community spirit – boasting a fire pit, recreational areas, and space for entertainment of all kinds.

This project was made possible through the generosity of a resident, Barbara Howell and her late husband David.  The Howells shared a deep love for The Chesapeake.  By giving back to their community, they envisioned the pavilion as a space for all to connect in fun and friendship. Their legacy will live on in the memories and fellowship that will flourish within its walls. We are also deeply grateful to GC Commercial, our construction partner, who made a significant contribution to bring this vision to life.

As we honor the legacy of our past, we continue to invest boldly in the future. Building spaces that empower seniors to thrive.

At LifeSpire, the groundbreaking never stops, because neither does our commitment to excellence in aging services.

Glebe resident Linda Fleshman’s cool blue watercolors create a wintry wonderland on this year’s LifeSpire holiday card. But don’t look for anything too traditional or busy here. 

 “It’s calm,” noted another resident about the painting. “Just like Linda.” 

Linda says she was surprised to have her art selected for this year’s card, but truly enjoyed painting the serene subject. “I’ve always enjoyed doing something with trees. I liked the star… the starlight made the ground seem like snow. And I loved the meaning of the star, pointing to the birth of Christ.”  

For almost two years now, Linda has been bringing her calm creativity to Saturday morning painting classes at The Glebe. Taught by Peggy DeHart, a resident and a former school art teacher, the class is open to eight students each week. Some are regulars, some are first-timers, but all contribute to what Peggy calls “an art program to make stronger bonds within the community.”  

When Peggy moved to The Glebe two and a half years ago, her time as an activity director at a retirement community inspired her to start the painting class. With support from The Glebe staff and shared art supplies from her sister, she designs each class project as a greeting card to use for celebration, comfort or cementing friendships. “Our homemade pictures in watercolor, acrylic or ink are about learning new techniques to make sharable art.” And greeting cards, she says, “are the ebb and flow of our community.” 

Linda Fleshman always liked doing creative activities but had not taken painting classes since college. The small class size at The Glebe helped her find the courage to start again. And for those who might be intimidated by painting? “Don’t be afraid to try!” she quickly advises. “I’ve been surprised at how much better my work can look than I expected.” 

Linda estimates that she’s created about 25 paintings in the class over time. But artistic progress is not the only draw for her on Saturday mornings. “It’s fun!” she says. “It’s a very interesting group of people to work with. And by now we’re all good friends.”  

During construction at The Glebe, the painting class has relocated to temporary quarters in the community room. The resident artists look forward to working in a brand-new art studio as part of the planned community center renovation and expansion, coming in 2025. 

We salute all the LifeSpire residents who share their time and talents to help build one another up, form friendships and create a true community. Thank you! 

How IRA RMDs Can Support LifeSpire of Virginia’s Mission

Understanding IRA RMDs

If you have an IRA, upon reaching the age of 73, the IRS mandates the withdrawal of a certain amount of money through the RMD, which is typically subject to income tax, potentially impacting your financial planning and tax situation. The Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows you to direct an RMD to a qualified charity, such as LifeSpire and its communities, without it being counted as taxable income.

A gift of any amount offers you a tax advantage while making a difference at LifeSpire.

How to Make a QCD to LifeSpire of Virginia

Please let us know about your generous contribution so we can appropriately acknowledge your support and ensure it is directed according to your wishes.

LifeSpire of Virginia is deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors. By choosing to give through your IRA RMD, you not only support our mission but also become part of a legacy of caring and compassion that impacts the lives of many. We encourage you to consult with your financial advisor or tax professional to determine how a QCD can fit into your charitable giving and financial planning strategy. For more information or assistance with making a QCD, please contact Jodi Leonard, Vice President, Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation at (804) 521-9213

Every year, the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation raises over a million dollars to benefit seniors in all of our communities, thanks to those committed to taking care of residents who need assistance.  Donors to the Benevolent Fund provide security and peace of mind to residents who, through no fault of their own, need additional financial resources for their care and stay.  Last year, 43 residents were provided with benevolent support. 

Supporting the Benevolent Fund in your community helps residents like George and Susan.  They moved into their community after a lifetime well spent serving their church in leadership roles.  As LifeSpire residents for over a decade, they are even more certain of their good decision to live at LifeSpire.  Along the way, they realized it would be necessary to request financial assistance through the Benevolent Fund.  The Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation stepped in to provide the support they needed.

“We will always be grateful for that.”

Your gift to the Benevolent Fund will put the “love” in Benevolence and support residents like George and Susan.  Help us continue this tradition with a gift to your community’s Benevolent Fund through the VBH Foundation.  Gifts can be made securely online at https://lifespireliving.org/fall-2024-giving/ or you can give us a call at 804-521-9213.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

LifeSpire of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Homes (VBH) Foundation are pleased to announce the 2024 scholarship recipients. A total of $35,000 was awarded to 43 eligible individuals. The scholarships are funded by the Employee Education Fund. 

The fund provides financial assistance for team members towards two- and four-year higher education degrees. Support is awarded with grants for college-bound team members, and their children and grandchildren. 

The VBH Foundation’s Employee Education Fund provides awards on an annual basis. The fund relies on the generosity of donors for sustainability. The LifeSpire team is grateful for the kindness of residents, families and colleagues who give to the Foundation to assist team members financially with scholarships and crisis awards. To learn more about the programs providing support to team members, visit https://lifespireliving.org/give/employee-support/ 

Lakewood:

Name	Department	School
Ciara Barnes	Healthcare	Virginia Commonwealth University
Emma Bell	Resident Services	Virginia Commonwealth University
Austin Burks	Dining	Kent State University
Maryam Chowdhury	Dining	James Madison University
Elizabeth Duffey	Dining	University of Delaware
Lexi Dull	Child of Amy Curry (Marketing)	Longwood University
Sky Evans	Dining	Virginia Commonwealth University
Karolin Fekry	Healthcare	Virginia Commonwealth University
Krista Goodnight	Dining	James Madison University
Julie Hahn	Dining	Auburn University
Anthony Lewis	Child of Vermita Lewis (Nursing)	Radford University
Divine Mills	Healthcare	Virginia Union University
Snehitha Ravilla	Dining	Virginia Tech University
Saidi Katende	Healthcare	Western Governors University
Shartan Smyre	Assisted Living	Galen College
Jayla Spindle	Child of Stephania Jones (Nursing)	Tennessee State University
Xavier Spindle	Child of Stephania Jones (Nursing)	Norfolk State University
Jannie Torrico	Healthcare	Virginia Tech University
Rizvan Vahora	Child of Hamidaben Vahora (Housekeeping)	Humber College
Ava Brown	Dining	James Madison University
Cadence Goodnight	Dining	Old Dominion University
Mikala McGehee	Dining	Virginia Tech University
Caroline Sampson	Assisted Living	University of Mary Washington

The Chesapeake:

Name	Department	School
Oluwaseyi Adepoju	Child of Uzoamaka Adepoju (Assisted Living)	Virginia Commonwealth University
Oluwapelumi (Victor) Adepoju	Child of Uzoamaka Adepoju (Assisted Living)	Virginia Commonwealth University
Oluwafemi Adepoju	Dining	Virginia Commonwealth University
Sylvia Cheatham	Healthcare	Old Dominion University
Erma Finley	Nursing	Bryant and Stratton College
Robert Holihan IV	Grandchild of Patricia Paschall (CNA Transporter)	Hampden-Sydney
Latoya Turner	Healthcare	Walden University

The Glebe:

Name	Department	School
Eden Finup	Assisted Living	Radford University Carilion
Noah Glenn	Dining	University of Charleston
Bethany Laymon	Child of Darlene Martin (Transportation)	James Madison University
Aniyah Johnson	Dining	University of Alabama
Brennan Corell	Dining	Liberty University
Heather Roberts	Healthcare	Radford University Carilion

The Summit:

Name	Department	School
Ryenne Flood	Child of Marjetta Flood (Assisted Living)	Shenandoah University

The Culpeper:

Name	Department	School
Kelly Bennett	Healthcare	Germanna Community College
Madison Callahan	Healthcare	Germanna Community College
Alayzia Robinson	Child of Celeste Lee (Assisted Living)	Germanna Community College
Zana Tibbs	Child of Tanya Tibbs (Memory Support)	Virginia Commonwealth University
Zaria Tibbs	Child of Tanya Tibbs (Memory Support)	Virginia State University
Teresa Lewis	Nursing	Liberty University

If you’re thinking about your future career path, consider the benefits of working in senior care. Aside from the competitive pay and health benefits, working in senior care can be extremely rewarding. Whether at a life plan community, or providing care at home, many of these positions provide flexible schedules, job security and opportunities for growth. Keep reading for more reasons why working in senior care could be the right career move for you.  

Why Work in Senior Care?

Competitive Benefits

Many life plan communities offer team members competitive pay and benefits, including generous time off, health and dental benefits. Plus, some communities even offer career development opportunities and tuition reimbursement so you can continue learning.  

A Variety of Career Opportunities

At a life plan community, there are also opportunities for nursing, housekeeping, culinary, and administration positions that can make a difference as well. You can pursue your passions while also helping seniors in a warm and welcoming environment. 

Connecting with Residents

When working with seniors, especially at a life plan community that becomes their home, you get to know the residents. You get to hear their stories and learn about their lives and their families. From retired military officers and teachers, professors, artists and business leaders, our residents offer a wealth of life experiences and perspectives that contribute to the camaraderie and richness of our communities.

Flexible Scheduling

Senior care isn’t always a standard 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. workday. Life plan communities provide support around the clock, so if you need to work nights, mornings or afternoons, full-time or part-time, you have options. 

Job Security 

The number of seniors in the U.S. is growing and so is the need for senior care. According to Pew Research Center, the number of U.S. residents age 65 and older is expected to be almost 22% of the population by the year 2050. This means that you don’t have to worry about job security due to the increasing anticipated need.

Make a Difference

One of the most rewarding parts of working in senior care is feeling like you are making a difference in the lives of these people. Providing quality care, making sure residents are safe, even just taking the time to say hello and ask about their day, it means the world to our residents and their families. See how some of our team members have made a difference.

Overall, if you are looking for a career path you can feel good about, with generous benefits, job security and flexible scheduling, then a career in senior care might be for you

View our careers page to see our current job openings at our life plan community and apply today.