I fear we don’t really know what a partnership is. We prefer it to be me getting to do what I want to do with your resources. Yet, here at Shepherd Community we have found what a real partnership can and should be.

I am proud to say we partner with one of the best medical facilities in the Midwest. Wishard Hospital is doing a wonderful job serving the community of Central Indiana. Just this week, in a partnership with Wishard, over 25 of our families received new car seats and a short tutorial on how to properly fasten a seat into their vehicle. This could save many lives.

Each week in a program called ‘Prescription for Hope’, both Shepherd and Wishard staff work with those who enter the ER because they are victims of crime, to help them locate services to improve their own situation and make sure they have access to a better life. This, my friends, is a true partnership. One that is about working together to better serve the community.

I know the leadership, many members of the medical staff personally, and they are fine leaders who are making a huge difference in our community. Their leadership and their commitment to partnerships for the sake of the community is why I am supporting the ballot issue to support Wishard’s plan to build a new hospital. They have my full support! Why? Because they will make it serve the whole community.

They make a difference in my neighborhood, and the whole city! Our families will be better served and quite frankly… that is how I want my tax monies being spent… serving our city. No better example of tax payer money being spent in the right way!

We are a world class city because of partners like Wishard… now let’s partner with them.

jay

Each summer for nine weeks, students come to us for day long activities. For some time we have referred to it as “Summer Daycamp.” Yet we feel this does not do justice to what happens in those nine weeks.

When I say daycamp, you may have visions of swimming, horse back rides and craft time. Yet, more life critical aspects are happening each and every day.

John Hopkins University has chosen Shepherd Community as one of the sites they monitor nationally to research summer learning. While they have commended us for what we do, we realize we can strengthen an already great program.

So what do we call it… can you help us? Can you help us explore the right name for something that:

• feeds 4000 meals a week (that they might not receive otherwise)
• provides daily reading time
• allows the fun exploration of science and math
• works on basic hygiene skills
• provides free medical care
• takes teenagers to businesses and college for possible future exploration

…and so much more. So can you help? Email your ideas to newname@shepherdcommunity.org

It really is much more than we ever know.

jay