CROWN POINT – Franciscan Health’s partnership with the Lake County Courts to provide volunteer advocates for elderly and incapacitated adults who are unable to represent themselves now has six new members.
Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou swore in a class of six Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) in a July 21 ceremony. The new advocates are Diane Burton-Clair of Crown Point, Frank Clair of Crown Point, Julie Ann Mignogna of Cedar Lake, Vivian V. Ochoa of Dyer, Brittish Rule of Hammond and Sara Ruzycki of Schererville.
The court collaborates with Franciscan Health to provide trained, supervised volunteers to serve as court-appointed agents to assist elderly and incapacitated adults. The program, now in its 23rd year, partners with programs serving elderly and incapacitated adults across Lake County to develop a continuum of elder law advocacy and guardianship services.
Volunteers are vetted through an application screening process. Once approved, volunteers must complete 30 hours of initial training and 12 hours of continuing education annually by legal, social service, health and mental health experts. Advocates serve as agents of the program, one case at a time.
“It was wonderful watching your diligence to all of these sessions,” said VASIA Director LaVonne Jarrett, BS, MS, NCG. “We know that what you bring to the program is going to change your clients’ lives.”
Lake Superior Court Judge Bruce Parent said he says the same thing every time a new class is sworn in, that the volunteers are “doing God’s work.”
“It is a higher calling that you’re doing and we greatly appreciate that,” Parent said.
VASIA Volunteer Coordinator Francisca Mendoza said the volunteers will always have the support of the staff.
“You’ll never be alone, but what’s most important is your clients know they’re not alone,” Mendoza said. “You’re going to be the voice of the voiceless. You’re going to be the heart for that person. Most clients don’t have family members. You’re going to be everything for that person.”
Frank Clair is a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran. He and his wife, Diane Burton-Clair, both have volunteered through the Veteran’s Administration and were pleased to extend their volunteer services with VASIA.
“My Mom was a minister and she instilled that sense of caring in us and we instilled that in our children,” Burton-Clair said. “What I learned about VASIA is the love and commitment they have for those who can’t speak for themselves.”
The VASIA program is partially funded by grants from the Indiana Supreme Court, Legacy Foundation, Inc. and other local, state and national funders as well as individual donors to the Franciscan Health Foundation.
Franciscan Health Foundation Development Director MinDee Richard recalled caring for her own parents at the end of their lives during Monday’s swearing in ceremony.
“I can’t imagine them being alone during their illness,” Richard said. “Bless you guys for being there to take care of these people.”
To donate to support VASIA’s efforts, go to FranciscanHealthFoundation.org. To learn more about the program and how to become a volunteer, visit www.franciscanhealth.org/VASIA.
Caption: New Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) were sworn in at Lake Superior Court July 21. Pictured are VASIA Director LaVonne Jarrett, Sara Ruzycki, Diane Burton-Clair, Julie Ann Mignogna, Brittish Rule, Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou, VASIA Volunteer Coordinator Francisca Mendoza, Frank Clair and Vivian V. Ochoa.
