S. Patrice Sheppard

S. Patrice Sheppard, co-founder of Lydia’s House, has served as the Executive Director since 1990. Mrs. Sheppard is a fourth generation Washingtonian and the great granddaughter of Kelly Miller, Dean of Mathematics at Howard University and the first African American to study Astrology at Johns Hopkins University.

To continue her heritage, Mrs. Sheppard formed Lydia’s House along with her husband Pastor Eugene Sheppard, to encourage, educate and empower children and families in the District of Columbia.

The mission of Lydia’s House is to improve the quality of life for low-income and at-risk children and families living in far southwest and southwest neighborhoods known as Anacostia, Congress Heights, Bellevue and Washington Highlands. To accomplish this mission, Lydia’s House focuses on Growing Children, Strengthening Families and Changing Neighborhoods.

Under Mrs. Sheppard’s leadership, Lydia’s House has grown its programs and services to provide after-school education for children ages 6-12, technology-based skill development and entrepreneurial training for older youth ages 13-21, as well as substance abuse and teen pregnancy prevention programs, adult literacy, welfare-to-work job readiness training, employment referrals and food and clothing provisions. As the only Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved faith-based counseling agency in DC, and one of two housing counseling agencies in Ward 8, Lydia's House is making it possible for first time home buyers to purchase property in the Washington metropolitan area.

Before founding Lydia’s House, Mrs. Sheppard served as the Deputy Executive Director for the National Association of Minority Contractors. She also held positions in the Office of the Secretary and Office of Economic Development in the District of Columbia. She earned a business management degree from Southeastern University, Washington, DC and a marketing degree from University of the District of Columbia.
In addition to serving on the board of directors for Lydia’s House and the Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC), Mrs. Sheppard is also the Executive Pastor of Living Word Church where her husband Eugene Sheppard is the Senior Pastor.

The Sheppard’s live in Bellevue and have five children and are the proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren.