Meadow Ridge residents raise $250K+ for associate scholarships

REDDING – Residents of Meadow Ridge, a continuing care retirement community, have donated more than $250,000 to fund 47 scholarships for associates and their children.

The Meadow Ridge Scholarship fund started two decades ago when two residents created a long-term scholarship fund to support associates or their children with their education. The 2025 campaign was spearheaded by resident Ruth Wolsch and culminated in an award ceremony on June 12, where recipients were formally recognized.

“It has been extremely satisfying to be able to award scholarships to help these recipients continue their education and reach their career goals,” said Wolsch, the chair of the Scholarship Selection Committee.

The committee makes an appeal to fellow residents for donations each year, starting in the late winter. This year, 47 scholarships were awarded totaling $260,000. Thirty-five recipients will be attending a college or university, 10 will be attending a community college and two will be enrolling in a trade program. Chosen applicants are reviewed and interviewed by a six-member selection committee, a process that takes nearly five weeks.

“My connection to Meadow Ridge runs deep,” said Peyton Rysz, a rising sophomore at The University of New England. “Not only do I work there, but so does my mom. It’s more than just a workplace to me; it’s a community that I am excited to be a part of every day.

“With this scholarship, I plan to help pay for my college tuition. It will allow me to focus more on my education and less on financial stress, bringing me one step closer to achieving my goal of someday becoming a restaurant owner.”

Another scholarship recipient described the importance of the funds from Meadow Ridge.

“As someone who has the privilege of working closely with the community, I’ve come to know Meadow Ridge not just as a workplace, but as a second home filled with genuine connection,” said recipient Lily Condosta, a rising sophomore at the University of Rhode Island.

The Scholarship Fund is one of two ways residents formally honor associates each year. The other is through the Employee Appreciation Fund, where residents raise money to give a financial gift to every associate at the end of the year.

“Residents are really bowled over by how well the staff takes care of them,” said Bill Balch, who serves on the Scholarship Fund and the Employee Appreciation Fund Committees. “We want to show appreciation for what [associates] give us in all areas of compassion.”

Meadow Ridge, developed by Senior Care Development, LLC and managed by Benchmark Senior Living, is one of Connecticut’s most comprehensive continuing care retirement communities.