Rev. Kenneth Daniel, president and CEO of United Church Homes, recognizes Olivia Markley as the first recipient of a new, $1,000 scholarship. Markley is a junior at Bowling Green State University.
MARION – Olivia Markley, a 2018 graduate of Pleasant High School, is the first recipient of a new, $1,000 scholarship from United Church Homes.
The scholarship is open to students from Marion and Wyandot counties who are studying a healthcare-related field. Markley was selected as the first recipient through the Marion Community Foundation scholarship.
Markley is a junior at Bowling Green State University, where she is majoring in social work. She is considering adding a gerontology minor after seeing her great-grandmother, who will turn 93 in June, move into an assisted living community.
“I was able to witness how the staff helped her going through the transition,” Markley said. “I became aware of what I can do to help someone else.”
Rev. Kenneth Daniel, president and CEO of United Church Homes, said the organization wants to support young people who are considering careers working with older adults.
“This scholarship recognizes students of promise whose academic and personal achievements are most needed in healthcare fields like senior living,” Daniel said. “United Church Homes works with a number of undergraduate and graduate schools to provide internships, field education practicums and summer jobs so we can expose as many young people as possible to careers serving older adults. We call these ‘careers that love you back.’”
United Church Homes employs about 1,800 individuals, and in addition to nursing and other healthcare fields, career opportunities include business administration, social work, marketing and sales, communications and gift planning/advancement.
“Working with older adults is among the most satisfying and emotionally rewarding ways to live out your personal calling,” Daniel said.
For more information about United Church Homes, visit unitedchurchhomes.org.
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About United Church Homes: United Church Homes, headquartered in Marion, Ohio, has been “Celebrating the Spirit” of older adults for more than a century. The faith-inspired nonprofit organization is one of the nation’s largest providers of senior living services, with more than 1,800 dedicated staff serving nearly 5,000 residents of all faiths in 75 senior living communities throughout 14 states and two Native American nations. UCH is in covenant with the United Church of Christ and welcomes residents of all faiths.
Media Contact: Alissa Paolella, Communications Coordinator, 740.382.4885 or apaolella@uchinc.org