Mission and Background of Shepherd’s Center: Located in Winston-Salem, The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem is an interfaith ministry with a mission to promote and provide successful aging with direct services, volunteer opportunities and enrichment programs for seniors. Founded in 1985, the Shepherd’s Center of Winston-Salem is an affiliate member of The Shepherd’s Centers of America.
Our local organization has grown from the beginning days 30 years ago to a vital segment of the aging services community in the greater Winston-Salem area. We have over 3,000 members and over 500 active volunteers who provide in excess of 30,000 volunteer hours yearly. The Shepherd’s Center serves over 4,500 older adults each year through the center’s programs and services. With over 1,600 individuals and families receiving services during 2014 through the Faith In Action Care Program, seniors were able to remain independent in their own homes. These services include transportation to medical appointments, minor home repairs, volunteer visitation and respite care, as well as assistance with grocery shopping.
Over 2,500 participants are engaged in our Vital Living Senior Center Program each year participating in life-long learning opportunities, health promotion and fitness activities, bridge, creative arts and crafts, book groups, discussion groups, day trips and fellowship opportunities offered throughout the community. These programs and activities offer older adults activities to strengthen mind, body and spirit leading to a more fullfilling and better quality of life. The Shepherd’s Center is certified as a Senior Center of Excellence through the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services and considered an exempary Senior Center without Walls.
The Congregational Nurse and Health Ministry Program serves as an advocate and community resource for the promotion of holistic health within Forsyth County. Congregational nursing and health ministries integrate medical knowledge, behavioral science, and pastoral care with the practices of a faith community to improve the health of citizens. Based upon a volunteer model, nurses and lay persons from the participating congregations are volunteers within their own faith community. Training, continuing education and networking are provided through the program to support the participating congregations. 60 congregations and over 200 nurses have participated in the network since 2009 reaching over 90,000 individuals with wellness support and services.
