Episode 28: Shepherd's Center - Where Care Goes Beyond the Road
In this uplifting episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee spotlights Community Foundation of Northern Virginia grantee, the Shepherd Center of Fairfax-Burke, a vital community organization helping older adults remain independent, connected, and safe. Joined by Shepherd’s Center Executive Director Beth Kilgore-Robinson and longtime volunteer and Board of Directors Vice-Chair Barry Wickersham, this heartfelt and fun conversation explores independence, purpose, human connection, and the quiet power of community-driven care—the kind of good that often goes unseen, but changes lives every day.
The Shepherd Center, part of a national network, provides free transportation for adults 50+, serving both short-term needs like medical appointments and long-term mobility challenges. But as the episode reveals, the impact goes far beyond rides. Over nearly two decades, volunteers have delivered more than 51,000 rides and driven over 600,000 miles, creating life-changing connections along the way. Barry shares moving stories that capture the heart of the program—moments of healing, gratitude, and what he calls the “circular caring continuum,” where giving and receiving care fuels purpose on both sides.
Listeners also learn about the Center’s growing slate of programs designed to reduce social isolation: Friendly Callers and Visitors, Handy Helpers, Group Outings, Chair Yoga, and Lunch N’ Life. A standout innovation is Technology for Good, an intergenerational partnership with George Mason University students who provide one-on-one tech tutoring—bridging generations while breaking down stereotypes.
The episode highlights how a grant from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is helping the Shepherd Center expand volunteer recruitment and outreach, ensuring more neighbors know help is available. At its core, this conversation celebrates a simple but profound truth: the Shepherd Center is about neighbors helping neighbors, building dignity, connection, and joy—one ride, one call, one relationship at a time.
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Shepherd’s Center website
