Foulk Living Senior Living Community in Wilmington Launches Student Workforce Engagement Program

September 04, 2024 | News | Reading Time 3:00 Minutes

It’s a perfect combination of heartwarming and practical.

Foulk Living senior living community in Wilmington has launched its Student Workforce Engagement Program, and area students are responding.

The employment initiative provides job opportunities for area high school students. The program, which places teens in roles in the Dietary Department of the senior living community, provides students the opportunity to experience a role in a hospitality-centered environment. They learn to enhance their social skills, interact with seniors, and deliver quality customer service to the community’s residents.

Foulk Living began implementing the program in May.  Coincidentally, an area mother on a Mom of Delaware (MOD) Facebook page was asking about work opportunities for her son at that same time.  She mentioned that he would go to places and apply, but no one was calling him back for an interview. Melody posted, in response, that Foulk Living was looking to hire students.  “Next thing you knew, my inbox was flooding with moms asking about their kids and employment.  We spent much of the summer interviewing and hiring students from the local high schools and ended up with nine in the program, ranging from sophomores to seniors.

Foulk Living provides orientation and training for the students. The senior living community’s Chef Renee “takes each student under her wing,” said Melody.

“This was a first job for most of them, and we’re hoping many will continue into the Fall. We accommodate them with a modified schedule because of school and are flexible with their work schedule as we have availability after school hours and on weekends,” said Melody.

The experience has been heartwarming for everyone involved. The residents love the young people working on campus; the other staff members are happy to have their help and energy. The students are working in a purposeful, rewarding job while receiving great support and training. “The residents always compliment how nice and respectful the students are.  That recognizes that they are really trying, and you can tell they are learning a lot,” said Melody. And the practicality of the initiative is a result of successfully filling job openings with enthusiastic teens wanting to work.

“This has been extremely successful, and we are looking forward to continuing this initiative,” said Melody.