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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.

SHEPHERD’S HERALD: Summer 2020 (Volume 6, Issue 3)

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SCMAFC is Busy as the Coronavirus Lingers

Although we hoped in the springtime that the pandemic lockdown would be behind us by summertime, all of us are still coping with this new, unwanted lifestyle. Shepherd’s Center services, thankfully, have been able to continue. We are so grateful for our dedicated drivers, shoppers, and callers!

  • 38 volunteers have continued to provide services to 51 clients during the pandemic (from mid-March to mid-July), providing almost 500 rides or visits.
  • Even after health care providers began scheduling in-office appointments, our drivers were able to fill almost 100% of the ride requests.
  • About a dozen clients who do not feel safe leaving their homes are having groceries brought to them by volunteers.
  • We have had 8 new volunteers enroll during the past 4 months, and they are already busy providing services.
  • About 14 volunteers are calling clients and visiting with them by phone on a regular basis.
  • We have connected almost a dozen clients with Let’s Connect, a local company that is devoted to providing regular telephone check-ins with isolated older adults.

Staying Safe During the Pandemic

Volunteers and clients are reminded of the CDC and Health Department guidelines for keeping safe during the Coronavirus pandemic:

  • Wear a mask when you leave home. SCMAFC has free cloth masks; call 703-506-2199 to request one.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly whenever you touch anything outside your home and use hand sanitizers often.
  • When riding in a car with a non-family member, the passenger should sit in the backseat on the right side to allow social distancing.
  • Drivers are urged to sanitize the portion of the car where clients are sitting before and after a trip.
  • When taking a client to a medical appointment the driver should stay in the car and return at the appointed time for pick-up, without going into the waiting room with the client.
  • Practice social distancing (keeping 6 feet apart) when interacting with others.
  • Minimize trips outside your home and always visit with others outdoors.
  • If you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus, do not request a ride from SCMAFC.

Download The Full Shepherd’s Herald Newsletter:

Volume 6 Issue 3 – Summer 2020, or click “Download” to download.Download

In this issue: 2020 Q2 Ride Statistics; Stew Lingley as Volunteer of the Year for 2019; Food Assistance Resources; Featured Clients; Board of Directors updates; 2019 Donor Lists; Special Election Information

SHEPHERD’S HERALD: Fall 2018 (Volume 4, Issue 3)

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Message from the Chair:

A huge advantage of living in Northern Virginia is that there are so many community-based programs and services. It is actually overwhelming to discover all the housing, nutrition, healthcare, transportation, care-giving, legal, financial, educational, and recreational offerings that exist, many of which are specifically designed for older adults. So why do so many of us not take advantage of these services? Mostly because we do not know about them. Or we don’t know how to find out about them.

The Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging for residents of McLean and Falls Church is a good place to start. Their website can be found at https://www.agingcare.com/local/fairfax-county-area-agency-on-aging-fairfax-area-agency-on-aging-va, and their phone number is 703-324-5411.

For Arlington residents, your Area Agency on Aging can be found at https://www.agingcare.com/local/arlington-aaa-arlington-area-agency-on-aging-va and 703-228-1700.

The Golden Gazette is a free newsletter available for all Fairfax County and Falls Church residents and is full of information about services available. To subscribe, call 703-324-5633.

The McLean Senior Source (www.McLeanCVA.org; 703-300-1751) offers free information and referrals to community resources. If you or those you love need help that you aren’t getting, check out these resources and take advantage of the benefits of living in this amazing place.

Betty Douglass,
Chairman of the Board

Download The Full Shepherd’s Herald Newsletter:

Volume 4 Issue 3 – Fall 2018

In this Issue: Q2 2018 Ride Statistics; Message from the Chair on Community-Based Programs and Services; New Board Members