Seniors and Social Media – The Shepherd's Center Of Richmond

Another Giving Tuesday Message

by Julie - Exec. Dir.December 3, 2019Leave a comment

Yes, it is yet another Giving Tuesday message from one of the many non-profit organizations in your email box today. But here we are, at the end of this shopping spree season, hoping you may contribute a bit to our mission. If you can send us a gift, that would be fantastic (here is the link to do that). If not, that is OK too.

Regardless of the above, we would love to extend an invitation to those who have not yet attended our Open University. We meet on Mondays and Thursdays starting January 13, 2020 (wow, 2020). Please come spend a day, free of charge, to see if it the program for you. The schedule will be out soon and available on this website (subscribe to the website to get the schedule link via email when it is available – you can do that on the right hand side of the website, just below our logo).

AND, we also invite you to volunteer to be a driver and help us ensure that Richmond seniors get to their medical appointments and grocery stores. It is an easy and rewarding way to give back to your community and some of our drivers feel that they are putting in their time now so they can cash in later, when they no longer can drive themselves. Find out more by watching our VIDEO. If it sparks your interest, please feel free to call and find out more (804-355-7282).

Thanks for your consideration (and for making it all the way through this message!). Wishing you a wonderful day and many more to come!

Happy IVM Day!

by Julie - Exec. Dir.November 5, 20182 Comments

International Volunteer Managers (IVM) Day is celebrated every year on 5 November and is a time to recognize and thank those who enhance and enable the spirit of volunteering. I want to thank our staff for all their wonderful work with our volunteers – you are awesome! And in honor of this day, I post below my personal mission statement written as a requirement for my Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA).

Happy day to ALL Volunteer Engagement Professionals!!! – Julie

I truly found my calling when I embarked on a career in volunteer administration. I come from a mission minded family and my faith is the guiding force in my life. I believe that we are here to serve others whenever possible.

Volunteerism is at the heart of everything that is good in our world. Volunteers are driven by their moral values and compassion to make the world a better place. Volunteers transform the dynamics of the workplace. They are not there to make money. They are there to make a difference and I want to be there to facilitate their efforts. It is my philosophy that they must be actively engaged. Volunteers need to feel that they are truly a part of an organization and its mission. Being a volunteer myself, I honestly believe that I know what is needed to support and sustain a volunteer program.

I find that when the daily grind of the office gets me down, it is interacting with my volunteers that give me inspiration and a renewal of purpose that keeps me going. I am a people person and am energized by working with these individuals I call angels on earth. At the end of the day it is rewarding to know that I have been a part of bringing a change for good to my community and to humankind.

Credit Cards & National Aquarium Trip

by Julie - Exec. Dir.August 28, 2017Leave a comment

We are now accepting credit card payments for our day trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, taking place on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. CLICK HERE to go to the Travel page to see the details and use the credit card link.

Hope you can join us!

Credit Cards and Travel

by Julie - Exec. Dir.August 18, 2017Leave a comment

Happy hot August day to everyone –

We are now accepting credit card payments for Open University (OU) tuition. Just go to our website (TSCOR.org), and click on the Open University tab under the header picture where you will find a secure link where you can register and pay. We will also accept credit cards at OU locations during the session. Very soon we will be rolling out a link for tax-deductible donations. We will let you know when that is available. Until then, any charitable gifts can be added to your credit card tuition payment.

AND, we have an exciting day trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. The tour includes round-trip motor coach transportation, admission to the aquarium, time to explore on your own, and a boxed lunch in the Harbor View Room. The final day to join this trip is Monday, September 25. Click HERE to see the detailed flyer. We hope you can join us!

Take care and stay cool out there – Julie

Annual Membership Drive

by Julie - Exec. Dir.July 5, 2017Leave a comment

Dear Friends of TSCOR,

It’s time once again for the Annual Membership drive of The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond. Please become a member or renew your membership today.

Last year, TSCOR taught over 300 students at The Open University, traveled to Montpelier, VA and the Norfolk Botanical Gardens with Group Travel and provided over 1,400 free rides to seniors, offered by volunteers, through our Transportation Program.

In the coming year, we envision strengthening the Open University program, expanding Group Travel, increasing our team of drivers and maximizing volunteer involvement throughout the organization.

Your membership makes you an integral part of the vital and caring community of individuals who do so much to improve the lives of older people in Richmond and surrounding counties.

Benefits of a TSCOR Membership:

Free attendance to all Open University Lunch Speakers
Reduced Open University tuition
Reduced TSCOR Group Travel rates
Invitation to the Annual Volunteer Celebration
The knowledge that you are contributing to the betterment of your community
Supporting our mission to encourage older adults to remain active and independent through enrichment programs and volunteer service to their peers

Our annual membership cycle runs July 1 through June 30, concurrent with our fiscal year. The $25 membership may be paid anytime beginning July 1st. Please note that joining later in the annual cycle does not allow for reduced or pro-rated dues. Membership can be mailed to our office, submitted with your Open University registration, or select the second link below to pay online with your credit card.

For membership form and to pay by cash or check, click here.

If you would like to pay with your credit card, please click here.

Thank you for being a member of The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond! We can’t do it without ewe!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

by Julie - Exec. Dir.July 1, 20172 Comments

Yes, it is only July, but July 1st marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for TSCOR.

July 1st also kicks off a new membership cycle for TSCOR. Keep a lookout for the Annual Membership renewal notice coming to one of your mailboxes right after July 4th (email or snail mail, or you can always find it on our website). Please check your email spam or junk mail folder to be sure we didn’t end up there. If so, please mark us as “not spam.”

Membership is only $25 for the entire year (July 1 – June 30) but it means a great deal to our organization. Membership can be mailed to our office or submitted with your Open University registration. And now, for the first time, you will be able to pay online with your credit card. There is a link on our website homepage that will take you to a secure site (GoEMerchant) where you can pay membership.

Your financial support and participation means everything to us. Remember to tell your friends and neighbors about us too – your recommendation is worth so much more than any kind of advertisement. Thank you so much and here’s to another wonderful year to come!! Enjoy your summer – Julie

What a Celebration It Was!

by Julie - Exec. Dir.May 4, 20174 Comments

This past Tuesday, we gathered together and honored our volunteers and their service to Richmond’s older community. Enjoy the pictures (thank you Susan B.!). If you click on them, they will get larger. Thank you again to all of our volunteers, who are drivers, transportation coordinators, handy men & women, friendly callers, Open University instructors and support crew, board and committee members.

You ARE The Shepherd’s Center!

The following is a press release from the Brandylane Publicity Department:

by Julie - Exec. Dir.February 2, 2017Leave a comment

Join Weldon Bradshaw, author of My Dance with Grace, at First Presbyterian Church (4602 Cary Street Rd, Richmond, VA, 23226) on Thursday, February 16 from 12:30-1:15 PM for a talk titled “Gifts: Thoughts of a Transplant Survivor.” This event will be hosted by The Shepherd’s Center (TSCOR) as part of their Open University program. Weldon will be a “Lunch Speaker” and attendees are encouraged to bring a sandwich (coffee and desserts to be provided). Copies of Weldon’s book, My Dance with Grace, will be available for purchase following the talk. This event is free and open to the public.

Late in 2009, Weldon Bradshaw was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, an incurable, autoimmune liver condition. Over the next two and a half years, as the disease progressed slowly and his liver and health deteriorated, his prognosis grew bleak. By November of 2012, his doctor informed him that if he didn’t receive a transplant, he’d be dead within the week. Through it all, Weldon remained steadfast to the promise he’d made his family at the outset of his illness: he would be there to dance at his granddaughter’s wedding. A high school cross country coach and lifelong athlete, Weldon was accustomed to tests of endurance, spirit, and drive. But nothing could have prepared him for this – the race of his life. It would be a race against time, chance, and hopelessness in the face of devastating odds. It would be a race for a miracle.

This event is part of The Shepherd’s Center’s larger series, Open University, which hosts educational lectures and events on a variety of topics. A complete list of the Winter Session events, as well as more information about “Gifts: Thoughts of a Transplant Survivor” (third page of PDF) can be found here.

For those who are interested in continuing adult education, The Shepherd’s Center offers three 8-week sessions, from September through May. Membership is $25 annually, with tuition at $40 for each session for members. You can attend any or all of the individual classes within any session for that one price. You can find more information about The Shepherd’s Center’s Open University Program and becoming a member on the TSCOR website.

Small Changes in OU Topics

by Julie - Exec. Dir.January 16, 2017Leave a comment

On Monday, January 23, at 9:45 a.m., popular teacher Ellis West will speak on the topic Should the Electoral College System of Electing the President Be Abolished? This replaces the topic originally listed for him in the Open University schedule (which is now changed on the website schedule). Come to St. Luke Lutheran to hear what Ellis has to say about this important and timely topic!

On Thursday, February 9, at 9:45 a.m., Jim Smith will speak on the topic, The Incredible “Way.” An Obscure Palestinian Sect Mysteriously Becomes An International Movement. We hope to see you at First Presbyterian that day.

Open University Closed, Monday January 9

by Julie - Exec. Dir.January 8, 20172 Comments

I can’t tell you how unhappy I am to have to announce that Open University is cancelled for Monday, January 9th, due to the snow covered road conditions. The City of Richmond Schools have announced that they will be closed and per our policy, we also will be closed.