Category: Boomer

Raise your hand if you love Open University.

That’s a lot of hands! Part of the mission of the Shepherd’s Center of Richmond is “encouraging older adults to remain active and independent through enrichment programs.” This part of the mission is upheld through many, many (many) hours of planning, coordination, scheduling, instruction and dedication by volunteers who make the Open University come to life.

Let’s look at some fun facts. Last fiscal year, 130 instructors taught 270 students and provided 49 presentations, 29 courses and 60 lunch speakers.* And don’t forget those on the sidelines as well as behind-the-scenes; from the moment you walk in the door with a greeting from a helpful front-desk volunteer, to the “my-wasn’t-that-visual-presentation-well-done,” to the piece of cake you sit down to at lunch, every minute is made possible by volunteers. Now, who feels enriched? Raise your hand.

TSCOR volunteers make a difference. Thank you for the contributions of your time, heart, and skill.

*For more info, see TSCOR’s Annual Report here.

Today we continue to celebrate volunteers of the Shepherd’s Center of Richmond and to honor their dedication to TSCOR’s mission.

As we draw closer to the end of this fiscal year, let’s take a quick look at the previous year (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) and reflect on some incredible numbers: 72 volunteer drivers gave 210 clients 1,348 free rides to medical appointments and grocery stores.*  

This happened – and continues to happen – because TSCOR drivers are a special kind of volunteer. Our clients are endlessly grateful for what these volunteers provide: independence, companionship, access to health care and food, dignity, safety, and love. To see them in action, watch the driver video here. (Many thanks to the entire fleet of determined volunteers involved in the successful creation of this video!)

TSCOR volunteers make a difference. Thank you for the contributions of your time, heart, and skill.

*For more info, see TSCOR’s Annual Report here.

 

 

Do you know an entire week is dedicated to celebrating volunteers? April 19 – 25th is National Volunteer Week!  It was first conceived in Canada in 1943 as a way to celebrate the contribution made by women on the home front to the war effort, and was established in the United States via a Presidential Proclamation, signed by Richard Nixon in 1974. But, anyone involved with the Shepherd’s Center of Richmond – from clients and students, to members and donors – does NOT need a signed presidential proclamation to know how WONDERFUL OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE! So, to celebrate, all week we’ll be posting about the joys of volunteering – because OUR volunteers bring joy to all.

 

 

It seems that the email version of my posts about Betsy’s course doesn’t like her photo – it keeps sending a link in its place.  So sorry!  Here is the information without the photo.  To see Betsy’s picture, it is displaying correctly on the “Blog/Latest News” tab on our website.

Online Art History: More than Just Stuff: Understanding Signs & Symbols in Paintings, Part 1

Friday, March 27, 12:00 pm ET (11:00 am CT)

Presented by Betsy Solomon, MA, Art Historian;  Executive Director, Shepherd’s Center of Webster-Kirkwood;  Chair, Shepherd’s Centers of America

Description: Animals, plants and objects of all kinds – these items are not simply incidental details in paintings.  They reveal layers of meaning that help us to fully understand masterworks.  We will explore the meaning that lies beneath symbols in a selection of well known, and a few lesser known, works of art.

To sign-up:

• email your name to bsolomon@shepherdscenter-wk.org
• subject line should read “Art History”

You will receive an email back with instructions on how to login to Zoom for the online lecture on your computer or smart phone.

I’ve been keeping my eyes open for useful things to share with everyone.  The first search was for were those free Ivy League courses that I heard about on the news.  This search led me to an NPR article that had a link for those courses, as well as a whole bunch of other incredible links to Broadway, music, fitness and even sports. To read the article Getting Bored? Here’s A List Of Free Things That Weren’t Free Before Coronavirus, click on the title and enjoy!

I got an email from a board member the other morning, telling me about a very timely article: I Spent a Year in Space, and I Have Tips on Isolation to Share, by astronaut Scott Kelly.  A good read and sage advice!

I also want to reiterate the offering I told you about in my previous post.  The executive director of a fellow Shepherd’s Center (yes, we are a part of a national network of almost 60 Shepherd’s Centers) is offering an online art history course this Friday.  See the details below.  I will be in attendance!  Sending well wishes to all!  Take good care – Julie

Online Art History: More than Just Stuff: Understanding Signs & Symbols in Paintings, Part 1

Friday, March 27, 12:00 pm ET (11:00 am CT)

Presented by Betsy Solomon, MA, Art Historian;  Executive Director, Shepherd’s Center of Webster-Kirkwood;  Chair, Shepherd’s Centers of America

Description: Animals, plants and objects of all kinds – these items are not simply incidental details in paintings.  They reveal layers of meaning that help us to fully understand masterworks.  We will explore the meaning that lies beneath symbols in a selection of well known, and a few lesser known, works of art.

To sign-up:

• email your name to bsolomon@shepherdscenter-wk.org
• subject line should read “Art History”

You will receive an email back with instructions on how to login to Zoom for the online lecture on your computer or smart phone.

Missing the Open University?  Well, one of our network centers is offering a free online Adventures in Learning class (this is what a lot of Shepherd’s Centers call their lifelong learning programs). Join Betsy Solomon this Friday, March 27 at 12:00 pm ET (11:00 am CT). Registration details are listed below. Participants need to download the Zoom app on their smart phone or computer, and register with Betsy. Both the class and Zoom are free.

Online Art History: More than Just Stuff: Understanding Signs & Symbols in Paintings, Part 1

Presented by Betsy Solomon, MA, Art Historian;   Executive Director, Shepherd’s Center of Webster-Kirkwood;   Chair, Shepherd’s Centers of America

Description: Animals, plants and objects of all kinds – these items are not simply incidental details in paintings.  They reveal layers of meaning that help us to fully understand masterworks.  We will explore the meaning that lies beneath symbols in a selection of well known, and a few lesser known, works of art.

Friday, March 27, 12:00 pm ET (11:00 am CT)

To sign-up:

• email your name to bsolomon@shepherdscenter-wk.org
• subject line should read “Art History”

You will receive an email back with instructions on how to login to Zoom for the online lecture on your computer or smart phone.

In light of the expanding COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak currently affecting the United States, we have made modifications to our upcoming lifelong learning programs and will institute some temporary changes to our client services program. Since virtually all of our volunteers, students and clients would be considered particularly vulnerable to the effects of the virus, we want to minimize any chance of its spread in our community. Therefore, after careful consideration, the Board of Directors and the Executive Director would like to announce the following changes:

• The spring sessions of Open University (OU) and Lunch and Life are cancelled. If you have volunteered to teach a class, give a lecture, or present during lunch, please read here for complete information. If you are a student, please read here for complete information regarding tuition.
• Transportation (client services) will continue for as long as we are able to do so. Clients requesting rides will be verbally screened for symptoms of the virus. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to drive during this time is made at the discretion of each individual. If you are a driver, please read here for complete information.
• All committee meetings are cancelled through March 31.
• The administrative office is currently open during our normal business hours, but we are preparing to work remotely. Please refrain from coming to TSCOR’s administrative office. Voicemail will be monitored routinely.

We regret that we have to make these changes, but the safety of our TSCOR community is our first priority. We are continuing to monitor the status of the outbreak on a regular basis and we will communicate any additional changes in programs or services. Please call the office with any questions.

Take good care,

Julie Adams-Buchanan, Executive Director

Shepherd’s Center of Richmond Board of Directors

The registration deadline to see Bright Star has been extended to Thursday, March 12. This popular Broadway musical, a sweeping tale of love and redemption set in the 1920’s & 40’s American South, features the Grammy-nominated Steve Martin and Edie Brickell score.  Travel with The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond to see Bright Star at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, VA on April 8.  See the trip details here. Register and pay online here!

Spring is just around the corner! How do we know? Because the Spring Open University schedule is here! Classes begin Monday, March 23. See the OU schedule here. Register here. Look for the schedule to arrive in your mailbox the first week of March. Spring has sprung, let’s have some fun! See you at the OU!