Residents, staff and community partners at 17 Erickson Living communities have donated more than $2.3 million via local Student Scholarship Fund campaigns, and 1,400 student-workers will benefit.

“Receiving the Linden Ponds’ Student Scholarship means so much to me,” said Terence Condon, a Weymouth High School graduate who works at Linden Ponds in Hingham, MA. “I will be attending Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island in the fall and am paying for school myself with the goal of someday opening my own restaurant. This scholarship is allowing me to start my college career at my dream school.”

To be eligible for consideration, students typically work 1,000 hours in the dining services department of an Erickson Living community during their junior and senior years in high school. They also must remain in good standing in their jobs, as determined by their managers.

“There is no doubt that the young men and women who work at Erickson Living communities are not only gaining valuable life skills and career experiences, but also are being encouraged toward success,” said Jeff Watson, Erickson Living’s director of operations. “The residents’ generosity is truly remarkable and reveals their passion to help student-workers achieve their dreams.”

At Ann’s Choice Retirement Community’s recent annual Scholar Awards Ceremony, 46 graduating high school seniors each were awarded $8,000 scholarships to pursue higher education. In addition, nine students received donor-designated named scholarships totaling $36,500.

Click here to see the In Focus archive and read how to submit your photos for consideration.