Invested in Growth
How Educational Scholarships Shape the Future of Western Home Communities
For Kylee Cowles, physical therapy assistant at Madrid Home, one question had become painfully practical: Could she afford to keep going to school?
Unexpected family circumstances had created financial obligations that threatened her ability to continue her education. "I had started considering whether I needed to stop attending school. Receiving this scholarship changed that for me. It gave me the financial boost I needed to make continuing my education feel realistic again."
Behind that scholarship is another story, one that begins with people who believe investing in an employee's education is also an investment in the future of care.
Through the Western Home Foundation, donors support endowed educational scholarship funds designed to help the next generation of nurses, therapists and other professionals continue learning and growing. The Foundation strengthens Western Home Communities' mission through philanthropy, stewardship and education, creating a connection between those who choose to give and employees working toward the next step in their careers.
Jerry Harris, President of Cedar Falls Operations, sees the impact of that connection firsthand. “The impact of these scholarships goes far beyond helping with educational expenses. They connect the generosity of our donors with employees who are working toward their goals. That support builds confidence and sends a simple message: ‘We believe in you. You can do this.’”
For some donors, the reason for giving is deeply personal.
Mary Taylor, who served as Western Home's Director of Development from 2011 to 2020, helped grow the general scholarship fund to nearly $100,000. After her death, the Foundation's development council, along with friends, coworkers and residents, helped endow the Mary Taylor Health Sciences Scholarship in her memory. Her belief was simple: helping people pursue healthcare careers would help ensure qualified professionals are there when older adults need them.
Other scholarship funds grew from similar experiences. Nell Wilson, a resident and nurse for nearly 35 years, understood both the need for skilled nurses and the financial obstacles employees can face while trying to advance.
"I can't tell you how many CNAs and LPNs would tell me they wanted to be an RN so badly, but they didn't have the money for school. They were such good people, working so hard and supporting their families."
For the family of Frances "Franny" Peterson, a scholarship became a way to say thank you. Near the end of her life, Franny was so appreciative of the kindness shown by Western Home aides and nurses that she asked her family to do something special for them. Her daughters, who understood from their own experience how important financial assistance can be, chose to support employees furthering their education and pursuing long-term care careers.
The Joens Family Nursing Scholarship carries another legacy forward. Donna Joens was a registered nurse for 37 years, including six as Director of Home Care at Western Home Communities. After she later received care at Western Home herself, her family established a scholarship in her memory to support others pursuing careers in aging services.
Those donor stories now intersect with the ambitions of employees like Kylee, Kambry Guetzlaff, Ethan Thilges and Katie Boos.
Kambry described the scholarship as "alleviating a weight... a financial burden that I had" while balancing work and graduate school. Ethan said the scholarship made his education more affordable, "allowing me to put more time and energy into becoming the best healthcare professional I can be." Katie reflected that receiving support "took some of the financial stress out of continuing my education... it gave me extra motivation to keep pushing myself."
While their educational journeys differ, all four recipients found a common purpose in serving older adults.
For Kylee, that journey began after a sports-related injury led her to physical therapy. Although she initially worked in sports rehabilitation, she found greater meaning in working with older adults and helping them maintain independence.
"Sometimes the accomplishments sound small, like being able to get in and out of a car again. But once you get to know that resident and understand how important it is to them to be able to go to their family's house again, it doesn't feel small at all."
Likewise, Kambry discovered a passion for working with residents living with dementia. Ethan found inspiration in the relationships he built while working in the dining department. Katie realized that nursing was far more than treatments and medications. It was about trust, relationships, and being someone residents could depend on.
Those experiences, paired with additional education, directly improve the care residents receive.
"Working at Western Home has helped me relearn the importance of patience," Kylee said. "It's reinforced for me that senior care isn't one-size-fits-all."
“I can’t tell you how many CNAs and LPNs would tell me they wanted to be an RN so badly, but they didn’t have the money for school. They were such good people, working so hard and supporting their families.”
Kambry has strengthened her communication and counseling skills through graduate studies and experience in dementia care. Ethan has expanded his rehabilitation knowledge through physical therapy assistant training. Katie continues to grow as a nurse grounded in compassion and advocacy. Kylee has strengthened her problem-solving skills and safety awareness through both education and hands-on patient care.
For each recipient, education ultimately comes back to the residents they serve.
"I hope to give back by continuing to support residents in reaching the goals that are meaningful to them. As I continue my education and expand my skills, I want to bring that knowledge back to the care I provide," Kylee shared.
Kambry hopes to specialize in counseling older adults. Ethan wants to continue helping people regain their strength and independence. Katie strives to ensure residents always feel respected, heard, and valued.
That is the cycle donor-supported scholarships are designed to create. A resident, family member, employee or friend of Western Home invests in education. An employee gains the opportunity to grow. And the knowledge and skills that employee develops return to the community through the care they provide.
Recipients feel that investment deeply.
"Knowing that people I don't know personally were willing to invest in my education was incredibly meaningful," Kylee said. "Their support isn't just helping me pay for school. It's helping me continue toward a goal I've put years of work into."
Ethan expressed a similar sentiment: "It means a lot to know someone believes in me."
As healthcare continues to evolve, these employees remain committed to growing with it. Whether in counseling, nursing, rehabilitation, or physical therapy, they are building careers dedicated to serving older adults while continuing to advance their education.
Their stories show that scholarships do far more than cover tuition. They allow one generation's gratitude, experience and generosity to become an investment in the next generation of caregivers. They build confidence, create opportunities, strengthen careers and ultimately improve care.
As Jerry puts it, the message behind every scholarship is simple: "You can do this."