Saint Margaret Mercy’s Volunteer Advocates for Seniors (VAS) program receives recognition

HAMMOND--The VAS program of Saint Margaret Mercy received recognition from the National Guardianship Association Joint Conference on Wednesday, May 18. Recognition included the presentation of a gift basket of “Indiana goodies” donated by various guardianship programs and agencies throughout the state of Indiana. America L. McAlpin, RG, Elder Law attorney and Registered Guardian certified by the National Guardianship Association (NGA), presented the basket to Vanessa Nathan, VAS program coordinator. The gift basket contained more than 70 items that were made in Indiana or relate to Indiana history, celebrities, industry, sports teams, culture and food. Among the basket’s “Indiana goodies” are a first-edition volume of a book written by James Whitcomb Riley, a box of candy from the South Bend Chocolate Company, an Indiana Pacers pennant, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, candles, handcrafts and a hand-stitched quilt. The items were donated by staff members of various state-sponsored guardianship services located throughout Indiana for a silent auction at a benefit auction held at the NGA Joint Conference in Colorado Springs. The basket and its contents then made their way back to Indiana for presentation to the hardworking VAS Program volunteers guardians and their elderly wards.

The Volunteer Advocates for Seniors (VAS) Program is dedicated to serving and safeguarding the healthcare, social service and legal protection needs of incapacitated seniors who are inpatients in the Lake County healthcare system. The program – a collaborative effort between Saint Margaret Mercy and Lake County Superior Courts – provides trained and supervised volunteers to serve as court-appointed limited guardians to assist this vulnerable population and the courts in decision-making regarding these critical needs. Volunteers in the VAS Program complete a 40-hour training program and serve as a limited guardian for one case at a time.

The VAS Program was recognized for its importance this past winter when the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation (HEA 1178) to establish it as a law. It passed both the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate without a single “no” vote and was signed into law by Governor Kernan on March 16, 2004. The new Volunteer Advocates for Seniors laws took effect on July 1, 2004.
In June 2004, the program earned an Indiana Achievement Award for innovation from the Sycamore Foundation.

For more information about the VAS Program, please call Vanessa Nathan at 219-932-2300, ext. 33373.