Leading the Way. Creating a brighter today and better tomorrow for older Americans

Transcription

1 Leading the Way Creating a brighter today and better tomorrow for older Americans Shepherd s Centers of America Kansas City, MO P: (816)

2 Maggie Brown, 89, wakes up to a bright September sun. She rises slowly from the same bed in the same house she s slept in for nearly 60 years. Maggie is excited about the day ahead she is going to visit her friends at Adventures in Learning where she will lead a Tai Chi exercise class, then attend a foreign affairs class taught by a retired reporter. Since Maggie no longer drives, she is going with a volunteer, one of two volunteers who drive her every week to the grocery store and to medical appointments. Maggie will stay for lunch with her friends. Today is going to be a great day thanks to the Shepherd s Center! After a century of advanced medicine and improved technologies, the average lifespan of older adults in America has been extended significantly. Today, aging has become the rule rather than the exception. More people anticipate living long lives. Staying active into one s 80s and 90s is no longer unusual; it is the norm. What has not caught up with this new reality of living longer is how we, as society, choose to view aging in America. Shepherd s Centers of America (SCA) understands it is time to embrace a new paradigm where meaningful aging is part of the social fabric of America. Aging should be about opportunities, not challenges; new beginnings, not closure; reinventing possibilities, not retirement; creative expression, not ordinary living; and stepping up in service to others, not winding down. After decades of making a living, today s older adults are poised to really live. Healthy, happy and productive this generation of older adults is prepared to be a force for good. As older adults add days to their life, Shepherd s Centers add life to their days. A History of Looking Ahead and Leading the Way The Shepherd s Centers of America is a network of faith and community-based organizations representing diverse religious and social service groups that provide meaning and purpose for older adults. As an interfaith ministry, Shepherd s Centers of America embodies the universal principles of compassion, cooperation, and service to others. 2

3 Opening new centers in A truly groundbreaking endeavor, Shepherd s Center was founded in 1972 by Rev. Dr. Elbert C. Cole of Kansas City. Dr. communities across the country Cole understood that post-retirement was an opportune time is important to me. SCA s Leading the Way campaign is part of help others, to engage in educational enrichment, and to use for older adults to tap into their deep sense of compassion to their talents to find new ways to improve the quality of life in the bold plan that makes this their communities. possible. - Rusty Ryan From a grassroots effort to a national movement, today SCA is a network of 56 Centers in 15 states. With decades of experience, this network is now an essential social infrastructure helping older individuals live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. As Americans experience a new old age, Shepherd s Centers are enriching lives in ways that older adults value most. SCA and local Shepherd s Centers are all established as separate non-profit organizations led by independent boards of trustees. Individual Centers partner with social service agencies and faith groups representing the diversity in their communities. Funding for local Centers is generated from congregations, businesses, program fees, grants, and individual donors. Shepherd s Centers of America provides resources, education, and information to build and support the effectiveness of local Centers. Representing the collective voice of the network, Shepherd s Centers of America fosters the health and well-being of older adults. Now, with the shifting demographics and economic changes affecting health and social services, many more older Americans are falling between the cracks and living in isolation. There is an urgency to establish an enduring nationwide network to support the spectrum of needs of older adults. A campaign for Leading the Way will allow SCA to bridge the divide. Gifts to Leading the Way will support three key initiatives: Build and Broaden the Knowledge Base of Shepherd s Centers Expand and Enhance the National Network into New Communities Elevate and Advance a National Aging Agenda The modern period adds social ethics to religion s agenda, for we now realize that social structures are not like laws of nature. They are human creations, so we are responsible for them. - Huston Smith 3

4 The annual impact of the SCA network: 34,830 older adults are helped through free, informal caregiving services 27,514 older adults participate in the Adventures in Learning program 9,720 volunteers donate 328,860 hours of service Estimated value of services is more than $7 million, based on the Independent Sector s value of $21.36 per hour for volunteer time What are Shepherd s Centers? Shepherd s Centers offer viable networks of social and educational services that build community connections and allow older adults to age in place with dignity. They advance opportunities that reduce isolation and encourage individuals to take on new challenges, learn new skills, make new friends, and serve others. Shepherd s Centers are distinct in their ability to connect older adults and humanity, creating relationships that bind society together. With careers behind and families on their own, many older Americans are at a unique place in life where they experience a heartfelt vocation to help others. Shepherd s Centers provide a way for them to continue growing and giving. Shepherd s Centers volunteers experience more than the satisfaction of giving back to the community. Volunteering is fun it is a way to make new and lasting friendships, to enjoy new experiences, and to stay physically and mentally healthy. Volunteering is an energizing way to do something worthwhile for someone else. Local volunteers help older adults overcome challenges such as transportation, home maintenance, housekeeping, and limited social interaction in order to remain in The Shepherd s Center model for lifelong learning is vital. I believe through education and service we can create a better world. This is what Shepherd s Centers of America offers all of us. - Ann Jacobson 4

5 their homes as long as possible. This volunteer support is made available to older adults at no charge, and the satisfaction that comes from giving of their time is as rewarding and life-changing for volunteers as it is for those receiving services. Local Centers also provide encouragement and respite support for caregivers whether it is older adult spouses, family members, long-distance family, or friends of frail and homebound older adults. Relieving some of the stress and turmoil of caregiving, volunteers offer peace of mind and assistance so that these friends and families can continue in their caregiving roles as long as needed. Shepherd s Centers are a dynamic part of the care continuum. Centers do not compete with existing community services. In fact, they fill the gap in community services by providing opportunities to belong, to contribute. Leading the Way: Creating a Brighter Today and Better Tomorrow Older adults represent an enormous wealth of talent, knowledge, wisdom, and time. With a new generation of Boomers turning 65, the need for Shepherd s Centers of America has never been more important than it is today. SCA understands the need to challenge conventional wisdom and overcome worn out myths of ageism. They know that older adults are a valuable asset to communities and not a drain. SCA is ready to lead the way to offer solutions for a more productive, meaningful, and independent way of living in later life. For some older adults, successful aging means learning skills necessary to take on a second career. For others it means trying new physical activities such as Tai Chi, taking classes on subjects of interest, learning new ways of creative expression, or volunteering their time to serve others. Shepherd s Centers of America harnesses this energy and connects older adults with opportunities to keep growing and giving of themselves. With your support for Leading the Way, Shepherd s Centers of America will strengthen these connections and provide solutions to the spectrum of needs of older Americans. 5

6 Creating a Culture of Meaningful Aging Shepherd s Centers of America is stepping up and speaking out to change the culture of aging in America. It is an ambitious goal, but with your help older adults will live happier, healthier lives. As a national network, Shepherd s Centers of America provides member Centers with training, conferences, online assistance, and networking opportunities to build effectiveness within their community. SCA staff and board members provide guidance and mentoring to new member centers in forming community partnerships, volunteerism, support structure, governance, program models, marketing, and fund development. Shepherd s Centers of America s Leading the Way campaign seeks support for three major initiatives: Build and Broaden the Knowledge Base Offer regular educational opportunities and national conferences for professional development and training to Center directors, staff, board members, and volunteers. Provide enhanced data tracking and analysis of the network s impact in communities across the country. Present certification and accreditation opportunities based on best practices to ensure Centers have the tools they need to operate at the highest standards. My father s vision for the empowerment of older adults in our society is alive and well. This first-ever, national campaign gives momentum to his vision for living a life that matters, and that s why it matters to me. - Carolyn Cole Williams Expand and Extend the National Network Provide training and development to increase to 100 the number of strong viable Centers throughout the nation. Develop a mentoring program to match experienced Center directors with staff at new centers. Initiate a national outreach and public awareness campaign to build recognition at the national level and within local communities. 6

7 Elevate and Advance a National Aging Agenda Hold a summit of national aging organizations to start the conversation for advancing opportunities for older Americans today and tomorrow. Elevate SCA s national visibility to highlight and empower independent living and engagement of older adults in society. Establish a national board of advisors an esteemed committee of top researchers, public officials and representatives from aging organizations to advocate for and set a national agenda for the welfare of older Americans. Goals for Leading the Way Shepherd s Centers of America provides a strong national network for local Centers. Together, the network promotes meaningful living for older adults through voluntary service, lifelong learning, health enhancement, home assistance, and cultural enrichment opportunities. Your generous support for this campaign will allow SCA to lead the way in promoting positive aging in America and harness the power of a generation of active, altruistic older adults. Build and Broaden the Knowledge Base $900,000 Expand and Extend the National Network $725,000 Elevate and Advance a National Aging Agenda $375,000 Total Goals for Leading the Way $2,000,000 7

8 Leading the Way Campaign Leadership Committee Bill Eddy, Kansas City, MO Ann Jacobson, Naples, FL Dr. Patrick Rusty Ryan, Shawnee Mission, KS Kay Wallick, Big Horn, WY Carolyn Cole Williams, Santa Barbara, CA Shepherd s Centers of America Board of Trustees Kay Wallick, Big Horn, WY, Chair William Kirby, Oakton, VA, Vice Chair William Farrell, Vienna, VA, Treasurer Michael Wood, Kansas City, MO, Secretary Greg Brewer, Winston-Salem, NC Lawrence Brock, Topeka, KS Linda Frank, Richmond, VA Ann Jacobson, Naples, FL Judy Long, Lewisburg, WV Sam Matthews, Winston-Salem, NC Gayle McHenry, Webster-Kirkwood, MO Ron Richardson, Tupelo, MS Jeanette Roveri, Sumter, SC Dr. Patrick Rusty Ryan, Shawnee Mission, KS Shepherd s Centers of America P: (816) N.W. Barry Road, # 333 Kansas City, MO 64154