Shepherd’s Centers of America (SCA) is a network of interfaith community-based organizations that provide meaning and purpose for adults throughout their mature years.  SCA’s role is to build and support this nationwide network of over 75 member organizations in 21 states. All Shepherd’s Centers have a commonly understood mission to empower older adults to use their wisdom and skills for the good of their communities. Life long learning opportunities and social services are provided through partnerships with many faiths and the community at large. Volunteers are the leaders in providing in-home and community based services for their neighbors. The vision is that individuals will experience meaningful lives through all phases of their mature years.  

History
Since 1972 older adults have contributed to and benefited from the Shepherd’s Center movement.  It originated in Kansas City, Missouri when the senior minister of a large mid-city church recognized the need to redefine and restructure the way Americans approach aging.

The minister, The Reverend Elbert C. Cole, understood the post retirement time in life as spiritually meaningful, potentially healthy and enjoyable, full of new possibilities for learning and for staying current with the rapid changes in this modern world. He also saw these mature years as an opportune time for older adults to share their talents and wisdom to make their communities a better place for everyone. The first center was founded with 25 Catholic, Jewish and Protestant congregations in one section of Kansas City, Missouri, to nurture a new image of aging and respond to the increased longevity of contemporary adults. Shepherd’s Centers of America, a not-for-profit, interfaith, umbrella organization was founded in 1975 to oversee Shepherd’s Centers in 21 states and 75 communities.

Shepherd Centers Today
A combination of in-home and destination programs can be selected from more than 35 types of programs and services on SCAs menu of options to address the unique needs of each community. Such programs as Partners in Health, Meals on Wheels, Adventures in Learning, Home Health Aide and Handy Hands help people remain in their own homes with improved quality of life.

Shepherd’s Centers are funded by congregations, participants, friends, businesses, civic organizations and clubs, United Way, public funds and foundations.

A Shepherd’s Center is a new social model informed by a healthy view of life after retirement, providing new benchmarks, vital involvement and significant and meaningful living in later years.

Today, their Adventures in Learning program is serving the lifelong learning needs and enriching the later years of more than 50,000 adults across the country.

To find out more about the lifelong learning opportunities available through The Shepherd Centers please visit their excellent web site at www.shepherdcenters.org.                                                                      

The above information was taken, with permission, from www.shepherdcenters.org

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Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom. M.Ed., is the author of "Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years". Her book, according to Ken Dychtwald, is a “compelling and user-friendly guide to lifelong learning and, in many ways, a complete redefinition of the after-50 years.” Nancy also directs the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN), North America's largest and most respected educational network for older adults. More than 360 lifelong learning institutes with over 150,000 members are affiliated with the Network. For more information – Elderhostel Institute Network Read Nancy’s story on her Journal Visit her Forum Group LearnTalk Nancy maintains a web site at LearningLater.com