Pictured during presentation to the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) are 100+ Women Who Care Northern Virginia chapter members (l-r) Nancy Mayes; Traci Richards; Michelle Scott, ED Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna; Jean Reavey; and Laura Symanski.
The 100+ Women Who Care NOVA chapter chose the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna as their February 2017 funding recipient. 100+ Women Who Care NOVA was founded in May 2012 and is designed for women who are interested in making a positive impact within their local community, but who also have limited time and resources to give. The group meets four times a year to contribute $100 each to a selected local nonprofit for a combined impactful donation.
Founded in 1997, the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna (SCOV) is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for adults (50+) to seek rewarding lives and to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. The unique approach employed by the agency also allows for mature adults to volunteer their time providing vital services to the more vulnerable seniors needing assistance.
As the country’s population is living longer and oftentimes isolated from family support, “aging in place” becomes a challenge. The concept of “Seniors Helping Seniors” truly defines the spirit and purpose of the Shepherd’s Center of Oakton-Vienna. Their personal enrichment and volunteer opportunities reaches more than 3,000 older adults (50+) in the region.
Each year more than 250 volunteers at SCOV serve as medical drivers, companion drivers, friendly callers and visitors, health and wellness educators, office assistants, fundraisers, and grant writers. Volunteers also run programs such as SCOV’s Lunch n’ Life, Adventures in Learning, trips and outings, special events, and the caregivers’ support group.
Monies given to SCOV by 100+ Women Who Care will be earmarked for the software program SCOV utilizes to match companion driver volunteers with its constituents.