http://www.lifequestofarkansas.org

Inviting Arkansas - Index

Inviting Arkansas - magazine - Index

In the Spotlight Ann Leek, LifeQuest
Photography by Nancy Nolan
Make up by Kakki Jones/Barbara Jean, Ltd.
Clothes from Vesta’s
So you’ve reached the goal we all “work”
towards: retirement. You find yourself asking:
“Now what?”
If playing golf with the buddies or playing
bridge with the girls just isn’t stimulating that
soul or mind of yours anymore, the place to go
recharge is LifeQuest, a volunteer-based, nonprofit
established by and for active adults. Taking
the helm as the new executive director is Ann
Leek. We had the opportunity to visit with Ann
recently and found this zestful creature who, for
the last 9 years as VP of Development for another
non-profit geared for seniors, CareLink, is
the ideal choice to lead this organization that inspires
folks to live and learn in their retirement
years.
Ann’s favorite quote is from President Abraham
Lincoln: “And in the end, it’s not the years
in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Ann tells us that LifeQuest encourages these famous
words by dedicating their service to enhancing
life’s journey through the middle and
later years through life learning and meaningful
volunteerism within the community.
Since 1981, LifeQuest has guided thousands
of Arkansans toward a healthier lifestyle. The na-
tionwide interfaith network Shepherd’s Centers
of America and Second Presbyterian Church in
Little Rock brought LifeQuest of Arkansas to fruition.
There are over 75 member organizations
in 21 states at this time. All Shepherd’s Centers
have a commonly understood mission to empower
older adults to use their wisdom and skills
for the good of their communities. Their vision
is that individuals will experience meaningful
lives through all phases of their mature years.
What LifeQuest is widely recognized for is
its extraordinary programming. The Adventures
in Learning education portion of LifeQuest is like
an open university with no tests or homework.
Four semesters are conducted annually. Lecture
classes in a variety of topics, including health,
financial management, “Our Brains,” “Great
Books,” nutrition, media and politics, Civil War,
state and local history. Exercise classes including,
Tai Chi, yoga, square dancing and line-dancing,
as well as hobby classes on writing, water color,
digital photography, genealogy, gardening, travel
and personal growth. Classes on spiritual journey
and grief recovery are also offered.
All of these programs are offered for $35 per
8-week series of classes, which is a lot less ex-
pensive than college and these classes of enrichment
are taught by volunteers many of which
are LifeQuest members. The age requirement for
participation used to be 55 plus, but not anymore!
Classes are attended by youngsters, too.
“We have students ranging from 22 year-old college
students to 94 year-olds,” Ann says. “We do
not discriminate,” she adds with a chuckle.
In addition to the educational, exercise and
general interest programs, LifeQuest offers advocacy
and seminars for both LifeQuest members
and their families. In addition to group travel
around the country, there are spring and summer
bus tours and carpool tours to historic sites,
gardens and the like.
Ann’s personal goal is for LifeQuest to be a
household name. “I want people who have experienced
growth and passion through LifeQuest
to share their story,” she says. “We help fulfill
the desire to keep going and feel alive. Afterall-
we all want to die young- as old as possible”.
LifeQuest is located at 3805 W. 12th in Little
Rock and many of their classes are held at
this location. Second Presbyterian holds classes
for LifeQuest as well. For more information call
501.225.6073.
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Inviting Arkansas