Our program is one of "neighbors helping neighbors."

What we do...

Good Shepherd Caregivers is here to help seniors and disabled citizens in Jefferson County remain independent and self-sufficient in their homes for as long as possible.

Since 1990, we have helped recruit, educate, and coordinate the efforts of willing volunteers to help those in need. Our care receivers are people who, regardless of income or family circumstances, cannot drive themselves, cannot meet their own needs alone, and may be just a little lonely—yet who value their dignity and quality of life. By mobilizing resources and support from faith congregations and the wider community, we reach out to help fill the gaps left by other support services.

Last year alone our 357 volunteers provided 5,037 services, drove 48,399 miles, and gave 5,283 hours of support to our 509 care receivers. These acts of kindness make a world of difference in our community.

Mission Statement:

Good Shepherd Caregivers, a Faith in Action program, provides non-medical, volunteer caregiving to home-based older adult and/or disabled Jefferson County residents, to promote independence, security and wellbeing.

All services are provided free by volunteers. Typical kinds of activities include:

• Visiting and telephoning
• Raking leaves, shoveling snow, or mowing the grass
• Household chores
• Driving to medical appointments
• Organizing paperwork and bills
• Sharing a ride to church or the grocery store
• Cooking meals
• Medical equipment loan

Organizational Goals:

• Promote independence, dignity, security, and quality of life among elderly, disabled, frail, and/or homebound residents of Jefferson County, regardless of income or family circumstances.
• Provide non-medical, neighborly assistance and companionship through individuals and/or teams of committed and caring volunteers from faith congregations and the wider community—ultimately, enriching the lives of all.
• Provide relevant community education, preventative health programs, collaborative relationships with medical entities and faith communities, and leadership for parish nursing coalition.

Vision:

To be the premier faith-based, non-medical volunteer caregiving organization in Jefferson County.

Values:

• Remain mindful that volunteers are at the heart of our work and very existence and must be supported, recognized, and appreciated at all levels.
• Be devoted to serving our care receivers and the community-at-large with courtesy, consideration, and compassion.
• Conduct Good Shepherd's day-to-day internal operation with honesty, integrity, and vigilance.
• Use the capacity of Faith in Action's nationwide interfaith volunteer caregiving initiative to invigorate the life of our community and county.

Our History:

An initial grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided start-up operating funds for three years to help Good Shepherd achieve financial stability and establish services in the Shepherdstown vicinity. Two additional RWJF grants assisted with development of a parish nursing program and expansion of our services into southern Jefferson County.

In 2003, the parish nursing program became an entirely volunteer coalition, with support and office resources provided by Good Shepherd. In October of 2002, a South Jefferson office with part-time coordination was established; volunteer recruitment and training are based in this office. By mobilizing resources and support from faith congregations and the wider community of Jefferson County, we are now able to reach out to our neighbors in need countywide.

Today, the United Way of Jefferson County is our primary grantor, providing nearly one-fourth of our funding, with the remainder coming primarily from individuals, faith communities and businesses.

Faith In Action:

Faith In Action is an interfaith volunteer caregiving initiative of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Local Faith in Action programs bring together volunteers from many faiths to work together to care for their neighbors who have long-term health needs.

As a Faith In Action program, Good Shepherd Caregivers has adopted the FIA tagline: A Neighbor's Independence Depends on You.