Team Member Scholarships allow residents to give toward and provide awards of up to $5,000 per team member per year to pursue their educational dreams. Foundation scholarships may be used for any field of study or a vocational program, and both part-time and full-time team members are eligible to apply in communities with programs.

Applications are available through human resources each December and due at the end of January. In 2023, $272,814 was awarded to 78 team members, and 2024 set a new record of 108 team members with over $360,000 in awards granted.

“They do for us, let’s do for them!” is a motto when it comes to raising funds for year-end appreciation gifts for team members in our communities. Each year, Lifespace residents, largely under the auspices of their resident councils, contribute through the Foundation to provide December bonuses to the team members that serve them every day.

In 2023, residents contributed over $2.5 million for these gifts that make a huge difference for team members and for which they’ve written many thank you notes – and even made some wonderful videos to show their appreciation for residents’ generosity.

The Team Member Emergency Assistance Fund at our communities provides resources for team members experiencing severe financial challenges. In 2023, the fund provided crucial assistance to 33 team members, totaling $38,196.

Our Human Resources Directors and Executive Directors confidentially handle requests for assistance, ensuring that sensitive information is only shared with those who need to know. Last year, the fund supported team members’ emergency car repairs, family health emergencies, emergency home repairs, and more.

A team member experienced a tragedy no one should ever have to bear: the death of a child. This sudden loss presented the team member with a traumatic situation, but also a substantial unexpected financial burden. The Foundation was able to help reduce the financial burden by assisting the team member with a TMEA grant to pay a portion of the mortuary expenses.

Reporting for work during their normal night hours, a team member finished their shift to discover their vehicle’s catalytic converter had been stolen. The Foundation was able to help pay for car repairs, getting the team member back into their transportation, preventing a sudden financial burden as a result of the crime.

A house fire caused substantial damage to a team member’s house, rendering it uninhabitable while the insurance company worked through its process. The team member applied for and received a TMEA grant that helped to pay for temporary housing for the team member and their family, easing at least a small piece of the stress of dealing with such a disaster.