Wayne VGA is looking for volunteer guardians
The Wayne County Volunteer Guardianship Association, a nonprofit that provides local volunteer guardians to Wayne County residents in need of a guardian, is actively seeking new volunteer guardians to assist elderly and disabled residents who are in need of someone to assist them with decision-making.
If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life, the Wayne County Volunteer Guardianship Association has an opportunity for you. The organization, established in 2012 as a nonprofit that provides local volunteer guardians to Wayne County residents in need of a guardian, is actively seeking new volunteer guardians to assist elderly and disabled residents who are in need of someone to assist them with decision-making. There are currently many more in need of a guardian than the current roster of volunteer guardians can provide.
What a volunteer guardian does
A volunteer guardian steps in to help someone a court has determined to be incompetent. The guardian meets with the person, also known as the ward, and gets to know that person. The guardian goes to the nursing home or group home where the ward resides, makes sure that the ward’s needs are being met and steps in to make decisions for the ward. The guardian must meet with the ward at least four times a year or once a quarter. There also is an annual report a guardian must file. The guardian does not handle any of the ward’s financial affairs or money.
The hope is the guardian develops a relationship with the ward that makes the task of being a guardian more an act of friendship than a legal duty. Lori Schrop has been a volunteer guardian for 11 years, and her relationship with her ward, who is nonverbal and resides in a group home, is family-like.
“Being a volunteer guardian has been such a blessing to me. It has allowed me to give back to my community and to make a difference,” Schrop said. “Her life has touched my life, and I have become emotionally invested in her.”
Free training
On Oct. 4 the Volunteer Guardianship Association will hold a free guardian training from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Connection Conference and Event Center at West View Healthy Living, 1034 Country Club Blvd., Wooster. The training is titled Navigating Guardianship Issues and is designed to provide information and tools to guardians on dealing with issues that may arise. Melissa Haddix, the local nursing home ombudsman, and a local attorney will be speakers for the event. A panel discussion and Q-and-A session will conclude the event.
The training is approved by the Ohio Supreme Court for three hours of continuing legal education for attorneys including an hour of professional conduct. The training also satisfies the annual training requirement for volunteer guardians. Attendees also will get a free continental breakfast. The training is funded by a grant from the Give365 Fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation.
“I enjoy being a volunteer guardian and forming a friendship with my ward,” said Lydia Raber, another volunteer guardian with the organization. “It’s important to be a voice for her and to help her with choices that need to be made.”
If you are willing to fulfill a need in the Wayne County community by becoming a volunteer guardian or would like to attend the training to find out more information, call or email the Wayne County Volunteer Guardianship Association at 330-465-2444 or waynecovga@gmail.com.