True Friends, a Minnesota nonprofit providing life-changing experiences for children and adults with disabilities, announced the recipients of their annual staff scholarships: Jordan Mahoney, a Baylor University student, and Abigail Ruda, a South Dakota State University student. Both were honored for their outstanding dedication, commitment and compassion while working with individuals with disabilities during the summer camping program.
Mahoney was hired as a Camp Nursing Assistant for Camp Friendship, one of True Friends’ three locations. In her role, she provided direct care to campers and supported health and wellness initiatives while fostering a positive and engaging environment. “Sharing my experiences from this summer is a gift I will take with me throughout my career,” said Mahoney. “It has fueled my advocacy and commitment to creating an inclusive, understanding healthcare environment, especially for those who might otherwise go overlooked.”
Ruda worked as a Special Diets Intern at Camp Courage, working closely with campers to create a delicious, health-conscious meal service for a variety of dietary requirements. “My internship at True Friends allowed me to meet amazing individuals from all over the US and the world.” said Ruda. “Working in an interdisciplinary team helped me grow my teamwork skills, and it helped me better serve others to ensure campers had a wonderful experience.”
Each summer, True Friends hires staff from across the country and around the world to create a fun, inclusive and enriching experience for all our camp participants. True Friends offers a variety of programs from camp, weekday and weekend respite, retreats, travel, team building and therapy and adaptive riding.
The True Friends Staff Scholarship Program recognizes summer staff who exemplify the organization’s mission and values. Scholarship recipients demonstrate leadership, empathy, and a lasting impact on both campers and fellow staff.
