HealthLeaders: Griswold Foundation Awards Over $44K in Scholarships to Caregivers

In an effort to highlight the importance of caregiving and its practitioners, The Jean Griswold Foundation, the non-profit organization led by home care franchise Griswold, has granted 18 scholarships to caregivers, totaling $44,200. These scholarships are intended to assist caregivers in pursuing further education or licensing in related sectors, thereby providing them with possible career trajectories within the home care industry. 

Michael Slupecki, CEO of Griswold, initiated this charitable endeavor with the goal of supporting caregivers. "A lot of our [recipients] simply want to get a certified nurse assistant (CNA) designation," he told HealthLeaders. "But we have several recipients that want to pursue a nursing degree."

One of the recent recipients, Bettina Conde, who has been involved in healthcare for 15 years mainly as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), plans to utilize her scholarship to help cover the costs of nursing school. 

"As the first in my family to pursue higher education, I've embraced the opportunity with determination and excitement," Conde said. "While navigating the complexities of academia, I've been motivated by the change to set a precedent for my family and future generations."

Having migrated from the Dominican Republic as a child, Conde recognized the challenges posed by language barriers, which often hindered access to essential resources. Driven by a desire to assist others and address the challenges her family encountered, she perceives her mission in life as a service-oriented one.

"From our view, if we show that upward trajectory, if we show and help in that career path, then we can attract more people in the field of providing care," Slupecki said. "They can see that starting out in home care and learning just the basics can be a stepping stone to going up the continuum."

The fundraising for these scholarships is supported by Griswold and its franchisees, with additional contributions coming from client families. Last year, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the home care business, the foundation successfully raised over $140,000. 

"I would love to have a million dollars to give away," Slupecki said. "It's the best job in the world to be Santa Claus and see those reactions."

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ABOUT GRISWOLD

With 170 locations in 31 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing professional, compassionate caregivers 24/7. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness, or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care, and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. In 2023, Griswold was ranked #267 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and named a 2023 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit www.griswoldhomecare.com or call 215.402.0200.

ABOUT THE JEAN GRISWOLD FOUNDATION

Honoring the founder of Griswold Home Care, Dr. Jean Griswold, The Jean Griswold Foundation is a public non-profit whose primary goal is to support caregivers. Funds raised through private donors, corporations, franchisees, and employees will focus on caregiver education through scholarships. The Jean Griswold Foundation believes that everyone deserves to age with dignity and the availability of quality caregivers is the key to achieving this goal. By supporting the profession of caregiving in all its forms, communities across the nation will be happier and healthier places to live. For more information, visit www.JeanGriswoldFoundation.org.