A Message from Chairman Marc Grossman

Welcome to the Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service. On our website, you will find a comprehensive introduction to the Foundation and our work in taking care of our own . Explore the ways in which we assist retirees and current FSOs on the Our Stories page. Take advantage of the information on the Resources page to plan for the transitions in your life. Discover our rich tradition of taking care of our own on the About Us page. And learn how you can get involved in the work of the Foundation on the Support Us page.
I trust that you will find our site informative, helpful, and inspiring.

Sincerely,
Marc Grossman

Taking care of our own. See our stories

Long distance caring for elderly parents

Long distance caring for elderly parents

Several active duty Foreign Service employees have contacted the Foundation from various overseas posts because they're concerned about their elderly parents who reside in the United States.  

The Foundation's Resource Center provided explanations of  the types of services available in the parents'  locations and the way to access them.  In addition, the employees were referred  to the Crisis Management Officer at the Family Liaison Office who could tell them about Emergency Visitation Travel and other programs designed to help those dealing with eldercare issues at long distance. 

Help for a distraught widow

Help for a distraught widow

The widow of a retired Foreign Service employee  was referred to us after her husband died unexpectedly.  Upon notification of the retiree's death, Treasury withdrew the most recent pension annuity deposit from the couple's bank account.  Paying for her husband's funeral and burial had depleted  her savings, and she was overwhelmed with grief, anxiety, and worry about her future.

The Foundation quickly stepped in and provided a grant to help with her monthly expenses.  We continued to ensure that she had money for food and other basic necessities until her financial situation stabilized and she received her survivor benefits.

Uncovered medical expenses

Uncovered medical expenses

A Foreign Service employee who had to retire after being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, contacted the Foundation requesting assistance to pay for prescription drugs.  She lived alone in a HUD-subsidized apartment, but her income was slightly above the state eligibility guideline for medical assistance.

The Foundation started a recurring monthly grant to help pay for basic living and uncovered medical expenses.

Looking for information? Find answers here

Retirement Resources

Retirement Resources

When the Office of Retirement surveyed participants in the FSI retirement planning course and job search seminar the majority responded that they had not done enough homework prior to retirement. The Senior Living Foundation can help you find the expert resources you need to plan ahead, so read on.

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Why I support: What donors say

  • I support the Senior Living Foundation of the Foreign Service to honor my colleagues and thank them for their service to our Nation. Much of my own Foreign Service career involved caring for private American citizens abroad. I feel we can do no less for our own friends and colleagues and I am humbled to be part of the Foundation's great work to address their needs. Please join us!

    Ambassador Maura Harty

  • The Foreign Service has been my family- close friends, colleagues under fire, and partners in life's adventures. That camaraderie is what excites me about the Senior Living Foundation - established by colleagues to support those of our Service who have special needs late in life. They served before us and need our help now. The Foundation keeps the spirit and camaraderie of our Service alive as it reaches out with care and concern to those who went before us.

    Ambassador Edward 'Skip' Gnehm

  • I still remember the day that I received the dreaded phone call that my mother had suffered a stroke and would no longer be able to live at home. Not knowing where to turn, I called the Senior Living Foundation. They were quick to provide comfort and wise guidance on options to consider and information on trusted service providers to contact. When I started to support the Senior Living Foundation years ago, little did I know how vital they would become to providing support and care for a family member.

    Ambassador Charles A. Ford

  • It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to serve on the SLF board. Still relatively unknown to the wider Foreign Service community, the SLF makes a significant impact on several lives. Our grants, and the wise counsel of the staff have on some cases made a life altering difference in the lives of those who turn to us for help. It is heartening that we can "give back" to some with whom we have served.

    Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson