Ned Erickson: May 2020

Congratulations Class of 2020

A Year We Will Never Forget!

This has been a special year in many ways...the best way was that we were given the gift of sharing it with these amazing people. Last Sunday, we celebrated them in our backyard.

They are now off to new adventures. Many are sticking around Winston-Salem to continue growing their roots and making an impact in this city.

Thank you for making this possible.

WAIT! There is more!

I'm in process of uploading our slideshow from the year - but it's a process. It will be worth the wait, I assure you...stay tuned...

Recruitment Update

Caroline Rassenfoss

We have some great news! Caroline Rassenfoss is joining us next year as a Fellow. Originally from Kentucky, she has spent the last four years here in Winston-Salem, attending Wake Forest University.

She is a college athlete with a special heart to care for children, especially those who need a little extra attention. I am so thankful she said yes!

Next year, just a got a little bit better!

Keep praying for the last few spots to come in. I believe it's going to happen!

We actually are expanding! If you know of recent college grads who suddenly have had a change in plans for this coming year...consider the Fellows! We would love to talk.

GIVE

Thank you to all of those who have faithfully supported us over the years.

If now is the time for you to join the team...

send checks to

Wiston-Salem Fellows
PO Box 20514
Winston-Salem, NC 27120

or give online at

wsfellows.com/give

thank you!

Two weeks ago I ran for one of our Board Members who pulled a hammy. I'm glad to report he is on the mend.

Stay tuned for more...

in the meantime...

Keep sharing the story and spreading the love

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Reiley was able to celebrate her mother before she returns back to Winston-Salem as stay at home orders begin to loosen

@se_designs

Several of us ordered custom made cards from Sophie-Earle McCraw

Brianne used just a little bit of sidewalk chalk

three generations

the one and only Michelle Schapira

Millie and Reese were able to celebrate their mom and everybody's favorite Winston-Salem Fellows staff person!

Lia, animal lover extraordinaire

Salem wishes Lia a Happy Mother's Day

Summer wants to too

Thank you to all the mothers of Fellows! We wouldn't have a program with out you! We love you! thank you for all the extra steps you've had to take the last several weeks during these crazy times. We love you!

Hoping and Praying...

Last Monday, we had our last Zoom Round Table as Stay at Home Orders begin to soften...praise the Lord

Hef's children decided to decorate her hair for the occasion

Sophie-Earle is back in town in her basement home at the Nelson's house!

Haley's host family really loves having her around...and seeing themselves on screen

We talked through details and planned out our next couple weeks with the Fellows (an ongoing discussion)

I read a little from Ann Lamott's book on prayer and talked about "the 3 essential prayers"

Help!

Thanks!

Wow!

All three come in handy. Our goal for the week was to pray each one everyday this week.

If all goes well, we will have a socially distanced backyard Round Table this Monday! Yippee!

Serve the City...

Fulton YMCA

Every week we are finding ways to care for our brothers and sisters in the community. This week we were at the YMCA for a food distribution.

These guys were a well-oiled machine!

Team Effort...

Wednesday night Zoom Board Meeting

Don't let her shirt fool you! Joanna Lyall, the Jobs Coordinator, and I have some work to do!

Wednesday night, we had a very productive, encouraging Board Meeting. I am so incredibly thankful for each one of these members.

Our May meeting is always a little extra emotional for me as we send out rolling off members of the board and welcome on new ones.

This year, two dear friends are rolling off:

Gardner Barrier

John Dickenson

These men are original GOYBADS

We would not have become the Fellows if it wasn't for them. Gardner has served as Advancement Chair and Vice Chair for several years. John Dickenson has shouldered the prayer responsibility and Director's care. They will be missed on the board. But they will not be missed by me. We are friends to the end!

The GREAT NEWS is we have some great folks rolling on!

Tim Gardner

Tim Gupton

The two mighty Tims! These guys are both great strategic thinkers and roll up your sleeves and get the job done kind of guys. We are building a great team here - and these two men are going to elevate our game big time!

Welcome!

Timely Classes...

Molly Lineberger, of the Office of Personal and Career Development leads us in how to job search like a pro

One of the more intimidating parts of this year has been the job hunt for our graduating Fellows. Some are planning to go to grad school. Others are staying on with their current employers. Others are moving on. Eventually, they will be moving on to greener and greater pastures. But right now the job market is about as uncertain as I have ever seen it.

This has been priority one for me this week.

we called in the big guns

we game planned and used pet therapy

some more of the outstanding notes prepared by Molly

It is definitely intimidating, but it's not impossible. Molly was a huge encouragement to us. And by the end of the week, some of our Fellows began to experience the power of the Fellows network.

At the same time, this is a great area of prayer for us. We are committed to helping our Fellows find great work...both our graduating Fellows and our incoming Fellows!

If your company or organization is looking for hard working, willing, and strongly talented individuals to work - please get in touch!

Breakfast prayers...

Haley leads us in prayer on Thursday morning

keeping on the sunny side

Church in the new now...

Sunday at Hope Pres

I had the honor of playing guitar on the livestream at church this week. Definitely a new experience. I must not really pay that much attention to the congregation on normal Sundays because when no one was there it felt basically the same! Ha! Not sure if that is good or bad!

Elder meeting Tuesday night

I feel for our churches. Knowing the best way to lead and care for their congregations is very challenging and not clear cut.

BOARD Week!

Seems like everyone is trying to get together to figure things out.

I had a YMCA Board meeting Monday

Rotary Board Meeting Tuesday afternoon

Hope Church Elder Meeting Tuesday night

and Fellows Board Meeting Wednesday night!

that's all the boards I'm on!

Rotary on Tuesday

Our speaker talked about stress this week.

She said that the three things that cause stress are:

Uncertainty

Lack of Control

Fear of the Unknown

That pretty much sums up the last two months! Ha! No wonder we are all stressed!

RECRUITING NEWS

We have one outstanding (pardon the pun) candidate we are waiting to hear back from this week.

We continue to pursue some fellas. Please put us in touch!

but here's some big news!!!!

We are willing to EXPAND the program next year!

For those graduating seniors who suddenly find themselves at home uncertain about what the future holds...we invite you to apply to be a Fellow!

That's right. As a service to the community, this year we are opening up our program to more than our max of twelve.

To learn more or to apply:

go to wsfellows.com

GIVE

the open hand...the are of giving

The Fellows needs your support. We aren't taking out loans, we aren't applying for small business grants, we aren't applying for federal dollars - we are counting on the community to supply our needs.

Would you please give today!

Send checks to:

Winston-Salem Fellows

PO Box 20514

Winston-Salem, NC 27102

or give online:

wsfellows.com/give

Thank you!

This week...

Monday.

Last Round Table

Wednesday.