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 four new members.
Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou swore in a class of four Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) in an Oct. 15 ceremony. The new advocates are Blanca Aranda of Crown Point, Francine Gildon of Merrillville, Christopher Mignogna of Cedar Lake and Lauree Pondinas of St. John.
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
“The people that we serve are going to be changed by what you bring to the program,” said VASIA Director LaVonne Jarrett, BS, MS, NCG.
Ballou said the work of the VASIA volunteers is, “a true necessity having you step up to answer this call is truly commendable.”
“You are advocating for people who have no one,” Ballou said. “That’s truly sad to see, but the reality is, now they have you.”
VASIA Volunteer Coordinator Francisca Mendoza said she has seen firsthand how the volunteers impact those they serve for the better.
“They are scared and confused and alone and then their volunteer advocate walks in and they see their beautiful smile and kind words, ‘I’m here to speak up for you, to make sure they take care of you. Is that okay?’” Mendoza said. “In time, you will see their hearts soften and they will grow to depend on you and trust you and that is what advocating for them means.”
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 said the VASIA program, “really exemplifies the mission of our healthcare system and our Sisters.”
“We really try to promote the dignity of the human life and experience and this program does that,” Richard said. “…You may save a life. You may save someone from the crushing burden of loneliness.”
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 Oct. 15. Pictured are (l-r) Francine Gildon, Blanca Aranda, Christopher Mignogna, Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou and Lauree Pondinas.
