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Whether offering their life experiences or wisdom for making the most out of each day, older adults give so much to their peers and younger generations. The Shepherd’s Center believes in giving back. We provide volunteer run services and programs designed to help adults 55 and older maintain their independence and successfully age in place. It enriches their life…and our community.

To learn more about our volunteer opportunities, services or programs, email shepctr@shepherdscenter-wk.org or call us at 314.395.0988.

Leadership Team

Betsy Solomon, MA

Executive Director
bsolomon@shepherdscenter-wk.org

Betsy Solomon has worked in the rewarding non-profit world of senior programming for 31 years – including various roles at the Shepherd's Center beginning in 2007. Her prior professional life included Education Manager for St. Louis Regional OASIS as well as teaching and curatorial positions with the Saint Louis Art Museum and Laumeier Sculpture Park.

In addition to working with older adults, Betsy loves art and continues to teach a regular schedule of art history classes for St. Louis Community College, Aging Forward and various other community groups. Betsy and her husband Mike have two young adult children, two cats, and five fish. Betsy is also a BIG fan of the Dave Matthews Band.

Karen M. Zelle, MAT

Services Coodinator
kzelle@shepherdscenter-wk.org

Karen has spent much of her professional life in the field of coordination, holding positions such as Volunteer Coordinator and Bereavement Coordinator with Evercare Hospice & Palliative Care and Young Years Coordinator with the Community Music School of Webster University.

Married for 33 years to Rick Zelle, she has three sons and three dogs and lives in Manchester. In her spare time, she teaches early childhood music with the Community Music School of Webster University, sings with her family band and volunteers with the Great Rivers Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists, the Endangered Wolf Center and the Department of Conservation.

Jessica Crawford

Program Coordinator & Administrative Assistant
jcrawford@shepherdscenter-wk.org

Jessica joined the Shepherd’s Center in 2022. With a background in special education, her prior professional life was spent working as an elementary classroom teacher for children with visual impairments, a program coordinator for infants and toddlers with visual impairments, a tutor for children with learning disabilities, and the director of a special needs ministry serving children and adults with disabilities and their families.

Jessica lives in Crestwood with her husband, Wes, and their three children Heath, Vivian and Juniper. In addition to spending time with her kids, Jessica enjoys watering her plants inside and out, hiking, reading historical fiction, and volunteering with adults/older adults with disabilities.