Aug. 2025

Fueling Dreams, Transforming Care: LAMN Foundation Invests $55,000 to Fund Caregiver Scholarships

On August 12, 2025 by Ben Hansen

Every day, caregivers across Minnesota bring comfort, dignity, and compassion to older adults. Many dream of advancing their skills, earning a degree, or stepping into leadership—yet the cost of education can put those dreams out of reach.

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation changes that. Through our annual scholarship program, we remove financial barriers and open pathways to brighter futures—for caregivers, their families, and the older adults they serve.  

The 2025 Scholarship Program  

This year, we’re investing $55,000 in the next generation of aging services professionals. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this marks a 41% increase in scholarship funding available compared to 2024. Scholarships up to $2,500 help cover tuition costs—empowering recipients to grow, lead, and innovate in their careers. 

Below, we’re highlighting four of our 23 deserving scholarship recipients to demonstrate the real-world impact of this program. 

Karen Mitchell 

Having worked as the LPN Manager at Frazee and Vergas Assisted Living, Karen Mitchell is heading back to school to pursue a Nursing Degree so that she can become an RN. Karen has been a Licensed Practical Nurse for 31 years. In addition to her current work in Assisted Living, she has worked in home care, hospice, and long-term care settings. 

Compassionate Care 

Karen traces her nursing aspirations back to some of her earliest memories. “I inherited the gift of compassion from my Mom,” Karen noted. “As a toddler, I would pretend to be a nurse and care for my stuffed animals and also any living creature I found outside that was injured in anyway.” 

This type of compassionate care is the driving force behind Karen’s desire to further her education and become an RN.  

Alex Kisch 

Alex is the Culinary Director at Towerlight Senior Living in St. Louis Park. Alex began working in long-term care just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Alex enjoys the unique connections that working with older adults affords him. 

Fulfilling Work 

“The fulfillment that I receive from doing this work is amazing,” Alex reflected. He loves not simply cooking for the residents, but getting to know them as individuals – hearing their stories, what they used to cook, and what their favorite pastimes are.  

Alex believes that food is more than just sustenance – it has the ability to create connections. A good example of that is one resident who was very picky. This resident’s family members highlighted significant concerns about them getting enough food due to disliking many different things. But Alex was able to help. “As I got to know her and talked about food with her, her mind seemed to open. She was willing to try new things.” 

The family was extremely grateful, and they noticed a difference in their loved one’s physical and mental health. 

Alex is pursuing a degree that will allow him to become a Certified Dietary Manager, which he hopes to put to use down the road as a Regional Culinary Director.  

Bolanle Lipede 

Bolanle works as a RN at Benedictine Health System in White Bear Lake. She’s responsible for delivering comprehensive care to older adults in the TCU and long-term care units. Bolanle is pursuing a B.S. in Nursing, which she’d like to put to use in a nurse leadership or advanced practice role in long-term care. 

A Calling 

Raised in a close-knit African community, Bolanle grew up cherishing the wisdom and stories of elders. She cared for her aunt with dementia, which deepened her commitment to ensuring older adults receive dignity, respect, and compassionate care. Bolanle views this work as a calling—rooted in love, service, and honoring those who came before us. 

“One of the most impactful moments in my career was helping a resident transition from hospital recovery back into the nursing home environment following a major stroke. Working closely with physical therapists and speech-language pathologists, I was able to track her progress and adjust her care plan daily to reflect her needs. Over several months, she regained partial mobility and independence, and her gratitude and resilience were a powerful reminder of why I chose this field.” 

Hannah Haugen 

Hannah is an LPN at Lakeview Methodist Healthcare Center in Fairmont. She is pursuing a degree in nursing to become an RN. 

Compassion, Dignity, and Love 

Inspired by her mom, a former CNA, Hannah began working in assisted living and quickly fell in love with caring for older adults. Her grandfather’s encouragement led her to nursing school, where she committed to honoring him through her work. Every day, Hannah strives to treat each resident like one of her own grandparents—with compassion, dignity, and love. 

Hannah loves the connection that working in long-term care fosters with the wider community. “There are people out in public that stop me when I am in the grocery store or just out in public thanking me for taking such great care of their family members. I love what I do!” 

Scholarship Recipients 

There are so many excellent scholarship recipients that we get to help support this year – these are just a few of the stories that are worthy of being shared. Below, you can find a full list of our 2025 scholarship recipients: 

• Alex Kisch

• Alexis M. Polus 

• Ashley Nicholson 

• Azylen Lunak 

• Benjamin Allan Cerney

• Bolanle Lipede

• Chrischelle Bjerke 

• Hannah Haugen 

• Jennifer Olmscheid

• Jesse Nguyen 

• Karen Mitchell 

• Katie Hess

• Kelly Thibodeau

• Kimberle K Bergman 

• Kristi Bischoff 

• Letitia Hodge   

• Lora Faber  

• Lorena Jean R. Benavidez 

• Mason Diaz Bandera

• Prity Rana

• Selena Bloom

• Sianee Cole

• Titus Orenge  

The Impact You Help Create  

When you support our scholarship program, you’re not just funding education—you’re shaping the future of senior care in Minnesota. You’re equipping dedicated professionals with the skills to deliver exceptional care, create meaningful connections, and ensure that every older adult is treated with the respect and compassion they deserve.  

Together, we can turn dreams into reality—and transform the experience of aging for thousands of Minnesotans.