Northbrook Retirement Community Helps Students With College

NORTHBROOK, IL — Working at Covenant Living of Northbrook has its benefits, especially if you're a college-bound student. A group of 14 college-bound students currently employed at the retirement community in dining services were recently awarded a total of $21,000 in grants-in-aid to help pay for their educations.

The grants were made possible through funding by proceeds from Covenant Living’s annual Holly Fair and contributions from anonymous resident donors and Covenant Living administration, according to a news release.

Those who each received a $1,500 grant include:

• Cooper Ade, who will be attending Wayland Academy
• J.R. Flood, Drake University
• Isabel Jung, University of Illinois
• Tara Vandergaw, DePaul University
• Carter Hazlitt, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Soo Ah Kim, University of Illinois
• Julia Knych, Oakton Community College
• Kelsey Lundgaard, Samford University
• Angela Shibu, Lake Forest College
• Merin Reji, St. Louis University
• Cynthia Cyriac, Lake Forest College
• Emily Yunda-Raijer, University of Michigan
• Renee St. John, Clemson University
• Taylor Brocato, University of Arkansas.

“Our residents build wonderful relationships with our employees here at Covenant Living of Northbrook and this is an example of how they’re also invested in the educational future of these young men and women as they head off to pursue their dreams,” said Hilde Sager, executive director at Covenant Living of Northbrook, in a statement. “This type of support shows that working at our community is more than just a job.”

Recipients of the award must have been employed at Covenant Living for at least six months, be enrolled in a college or technical school, and have completed a grant application with an essay highlighting their hopes and their future career goals, according to the news release.