Now Offering Rides to Early Voting!

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During Virginia’s Early Voting period of September 18 – October 31, 2020, SCMAFC will accept requests from our current clients for a scheduled ride to the voting location closest to their home. See the announcement below!

September 8, 2020

MEMORANDUM

TO:  SCMAFC Clients

FROM:  SCMAFC Board of Directors

RE:  Rides for Early Voting

This memo is to let you know about a new service that Shepherd’s Center McLean, Arlington, Falls Church (SCMAFC) will begin offering to our clients in time for the upcoming 2020 General Election.

Historically SCMAFC has not provided transportation to voting places, but the Coronavirus pandemic has prompted us to offer rides this year, specifically for In-person Early/Absentee voting. Concerns about the reliability of mail-in ballots have also guided our thinking. We are strictly supporting our clients’ wishes to participate as voters and, as such, this is to be viewed as a non-partisan measure.

Please note – Rides will not be provided on Election Day, November 3, 2020.

Prior to and during the Early Voting period of September 18 – October 31, 2020, we will accept ride requests from our current clients for a scheduled ride to the voting location closest to their home. This service is for the 2020 Election only and includes rides for clients who would like to go inside the polling location as well as for clients who prefer curbside voting.  (Any voter age 65 or older or physically disabled may request a ballot outside the polling place. You can vote from your vehicle.)

Below is more detailed information for your jurisdiction’s Early Voting plan. Should you have questions, please call the SCMAFC ride request line, 703-506-2199, to leave a message, and someone will call you back.

If you need information about anything else related to the 2020 General Election, please reference the Summer 2020 SCMAFC Newsletter, which provides a very detailed overview.

Fairfax County Early Voting Dates & Hours

Voters must bring a valid Voter ID, which as of July 1, 2020, includes the Voter Information Notice (Voter Card) or a utility bill with the person’s name and registered address on it. Valid Photo IDs, such as a Virginia Driver’s License, a U.S. Passport, or Employment Badge are also accepted. 

Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 2/3
September 18-October 13

Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Please note, the Government Center will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day. 

October 14-October 31

Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

These satellite locations will open October 14-October 31

  • Great Falls Library
    • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  • Mason Governmental Center
    • Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                               
    • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
  • McLean Governmental Center
    • Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                               
    • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
  • Providence Community Center
    • Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                               
    • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
  • Thomas Jefferson Library
    • Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                               
    • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
  • Tysons-Pimmit Library
    • Monday – Friday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                               
    • Saturdays: 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Masks Available for Volunteers / Clients

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Wearing face masks is one easy way we can help keep ourselves and those around us safe.  Shepherd’s Center of McLean, Arlington, Falls Church has received several dozen beautiful cloth, washable masks to give to our clients and volunteers.  Let us know if you would like some:  contact@scmafc.org or 703-506-2199.
Many thanks to those who have provided the masks:

  • Irene Bortolussi and Christian Luccia — from a local church
  • Colette Chalier — a Fairfax County school teacher
  • Brenda Kiessling — a Vienna crafter
  • Karen Ready — an Arlington County school teacher
  • Teresa Schellenger — a McLean crafter
  • Melissa Tyborawski — an Arlington instructor with GoodSweat
  • Rebecca Wolff and Sharon Okrend — from Fairfax County librarians

Coronavirus Announcement

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March 13, 2020

ANNOUNCEMENT

TO:         Our Volunteers and Clients

FROM:    SCMAFC Board of Directors

RE:          Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Every day the news of the Coronavirus in our area changes.  We want to reassure you that the SCMAFC leadership is carefully monitoring the situation and will let you know if our services must be changed in order to keep all of us healthy.

For now, we will continue providing transportation service to our clients.  We will, however, suspend our friendly visiting service until further notice.  Because of our 5-day scheduling policy our clients are rarely sick with acute illnesses.  We are not operating in large groups but are providing one-on-one service.  If you do not feel comfortable either providing rides or requesting rides, you may temporarily discontinue driving or riding. 

We do ask that everyone follow any specific directions that you are given by your healthcare providers as well as the instructions provided by the Centers for Disease Control.  Television and newspapers provide daily reminders of how to keep ourselves safe. In addition,  detailed information from the CDC can be found online:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.  Current recommendations are as follows:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.  If that is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick and avoid large crowds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and avoid hand contact with others.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth with a tissue or the curve of your arm.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects in your house using cleaning wipes or sprays.  Drivers, you are asked to clean with disinfecting wipes the passenger area of your car between rides.

Please do NOT request or provide a ride if you have an acute illness.  If you are ill with an acute disease and need to see a healthcare provider, ask a family member to transport you or call 911.

If you or anyone you are living with is diagnosed with Coronavirus, please report this to the SCMFC office: 703-506-2199.

We will get through this pandemic! In the meantime, let us continue to help each other stay safe.

Recruiting New Volunteers at the Falls Church City Farmers Market

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Shepherd’s Center volunteers at the Falls Church City Farmer’s Market recruiting more volunteer drivers and raising awareness for the Shepherd’s Center.

Annual Holiday Volunteer Coffee, December 2018

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The Shepherd’s Center hosted its Annual Holiday Volunteer Coffee at the home of Executive Director Emeritus, Ed Schrock, on Dec. 12, 2018. About two dozen volunteers enjoyed sharing experiences, meeting new friends and tasting a variety of delicious food in a festive holiday environment.