The Shepherd's Well

Come Weary, Leave Refreshed

Our Mission

To provide respite and refreshment to special needs moms

Rest

Pause from the challenges of the special needs journey to find relief, regain energy, and improve mental focus.

Connection

Discover community with others experiencing the same challenges, fostering a sense of belonging, feeling valued and understood.

Support

Receive comfort, empathy, shared knowledge, and encouragement to strengthen the ability to navigate through the special needs challenges.

Refreshment

Revitalize and nourish your mind, body and spirit.

Special Needs Mom Playing with Her Child

Special Needs Moms experience loneliness, isolation, exhaustion, compassion fatigue, discouragement, sadness, exclusion, long days and nights, grief, and anxiety. The Shepherd’s Well provides love, acceptance, a delicious hot meal, encouragement, pampering, entertainment, advocacy, resources, laughter, spiritual direction and nourishment for the mind, body and spirit.

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Day and Weekend Retreats

The Shepherd’s Well provides a refreshing oasis offering day and weekend retreats.

A typical Day Retreat includes a delicious hot meal, pampering stations, a quiet room to truly relax, restorative movement to stretch out body tension and stress, a fun, creative craft, spiritual support, if desired, and lots of friendship and laughter–all intended to nourish the mind, body, and spirit.

Weekend Retreats allow 6 moms at a time to experience an extended period of rest at a bed and breakfast in central Ohio. It includes a two night stay (with Friday evening and Sunday morning acting as bookends to a restful Saturday), all meals, and a 1 hour massage on Saturday.

Upcoming Events

What Moms Are Saying

Women who attend a Shepherd’s Well retreat often express their heartfelt gratitude. Some of these sentiments are shared below.

Shepherd’s Well respite events and retreats have been a safe space where I can connect, reflect, rest, and hold space for myself in this journey as a Mom of a child with Down Syndrome and Autism. I have made friendships, developed friendships with amazing women and been blessed by prayer and support from the volunteers and Moms that participate in Shepherd's Well. It is a place where I am “Known and Loved” and “have a home."

Bonnie E.

Shepherd’s Well has something for everyone and gives me an opportunity to try a variety of things, making it a time to call my own. I’ve come to look forward to this cherished time of self-awareness and self-care as mandatory for my role as a caregiver and mom. I am blessed and grateful to have discovered such a unique place, available to me at no cost. The only requirement is to put myself first and allow others to love on me, so that I can continue to care for my disabled son with a “full tank.” I don’t ever want to miss Shepherd’s Well!

Catherine C.

The weekend retreats are amazing. Being a mom of a child with special needs can often feel lonely, overwhelming, and exhausting. The weekend retreats fill up my cup by connecting me with others and helping me see I’m not alone. They also give me a chance to take care of myself. They help make me a better advocate, caregiver, mom, wife, daughter, and friend. Thank you Shepherd’s Well for giving us moms a place to take a breath.

Heather R.

So thankful for Shepherd’s Well! Every visit has relaxed and revitalized me…The activities are just what tired moms appreciate and don’t get enough of. The food is delicious and there is always a gorgeous tablescape. The fellowship is precious! Thank you for providing much needed respite in such a meaningful way.

Janice L.

My heart cries out for rest. The constant weight and responsibility I feel can wear me down. Having a son with special medical needs means being alert 24/7. It means always being watchful and knowing that things can change in an instant. And then there are the normal pressures of life and marriage. I have two other children. How can I possibly keep up with it all? And then it's a Shepherd’s Well retreat. I get away! I rest! I relate with other moms. I am prayed for, pampered, and even feel the freedom to close my eyes in a quiet room and take deep breaths. Retreat. Respite. I am refreshed at the Good Shepherd’s Well. I am filled with gratitude to the women who give of themselves; not just their skills and talents, but truly of themselves. They care. They pray. They invest in our children’s lives by pouring in ours. I am thankful!

Melissa F.

I have attended a number of Shepherd’s Well retreats. I have always felt warmly welcomed and cared for. The retreats help strengthen my sense of belonging and restore my heart to continue trudging forward slowly, but surely, in caring for my son with multiple disabilities.

Natalie L.

I enjoy The Shepherd’s Well so much! I always leave feeling cared for and fed spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Sarah C.

Help Us Provide Relief for Special Needs Moms

The Shepherd’s Well retreats are designed to provide moms and female caregivers of special needs children with regular, reliable breaks, allowing them to rest and recharge.

These caregivers often face physical, emotional, and financial burdens that can be overwhelming. Recognizing these challenges, The Shepherd’s Well provides respite opportunities to ease their journey.

Your support would directly impact our retreats, helping us to expand our reach, enhance the quality of our services, and give us resources to continue our mission.