VOLUNTEER GUARDIAN PROGRAM
VGP is a partnership between:
Via Health, Fitness & Enrichment Center
Mobile County Probate Court
Mobile County Commission
The City of Mobile
South Alabama Regional Planning Commission/Area Agency on Aging
Community Partners who assist with referrals and support services
Volunteer Guardians are appointed by the Probate Court to make decisions for the incapacitated to protect their health and safety. VGP remains the only program of its kind in our state and is the last line of defense for vulnerable citizens - with no appropriate family or friends - against homelessness and worsening quality of life.
YOU can be a Volunteer Guardian. We are looking for volunteers who are compassionate, caring and committed, 21 and older, have computer access, transportation, and the ability to learn basic legal and medical information, complete a background check, and can spare at least 4-6 hours per month to make a vulnerable citizen's life better.
Volunteer Guardian Training Resources
The Via Center is committed to providing support for our Volunteer Guardians. As we continue to adhere to Covid safety and health guidance, we will post training videos and resources for you to access. Thank you for your service!
Additional Help: Contact Us
Elder Abuse Tool Kit
Legal precedent, facts, red flags, assessment and reporting options.
Application for Legal Assistance
South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Association application. Requirements for legal assistance.
FAQs Covid: Handling Covid in Your Role as a Volunteer Guardian
Resources from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, National Center of State Courts and National Guardianship Association. Guardians have many questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their responsibilities.
FAQs Covid: Vaccine Information for Long Term Care Facilities
Assistance on deciding whether to give consent for a ward to receive the COVID vaccine, and person-centered decision-making.
Guardian Testimonials
Denise S. Boyd
“ I am Denise S. Boyd, married to Robert Boyd with one child, Carl Jackson, and 1 granddaughter Fringella Jackson. I am a member of El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church where I serve as videographer and on the Pastor’s Aide Board. I am a full-time insurance sales agent with AFLAC for the past 20 years. I am a member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs which was organized in 1896, the club organizer of the Alabama Association of Women’s Clubs organized in 1899. I also serve as President of the Mobile City Federation of Women’s Clubs & Youth Affiliates organized in 1948 and a member of the Maggie B. Yates Women’s Federated Club. I became a Volunteer Guardian because every person deserves to maintain their dignity. I want to serve others by making sure they are treated as if they are a member of my family. We do not know how we will end up. I believe that you reap what you sow; I want to make sure that I have sowed some good seeds so I can reap a good harvest. ”
Douglas L. July, Sr.
“ I am Douglas L. July, Sr., born, one of ten children, to the late Alfred and Bertha July in the Plateau (Africa-Town) community. I was educated in the Mobile County Public School System, graduating from C. F. Vigor High School in 1973. Then matriculated at the Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. There, I was a member of the Mighty Marching Hornets Band and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. I am a retired educator with 39 years of experience in the state of Alabama; 12 years in Russell County, 5 years in Washington County, and 22 years in Mobile County. I am a member of the Yorktown Missionary Baptist Church in Plateau, where Minister Christopher L. Williams., Sr., is the pastor and one of the musicians for the Greater Nazaree Missionary Baptist Church, Minister James A. Parrish, Jr., pastor. I also serve as the church music education administrator for the music auxiliary of the Mobile Baptist Sunlight District Association. For 41 years, I was married to my childhood sweetheart, the late Gwendolyn Coleman July. This union was blessed with three children: Douglas Jr., (Kristi), Kenisha (Bryan) Washington, and Chiante (Muskingum) Barnes, and four grandchildren; Kamryn, Vaughn, Douglas III, and Mason.”
Training Materials and Videos
Problems after Court Appointment
Ten Common Problems After a Court Appointment of a Guardian (1) Guardian/conservator is having difficulty fulfilling responsibilities and needs help. Or, the guardian fails to perform required duties in care of the person or management of the property. For example, a guardian may fail to make suitable living arrangements or medical appointments; or may move […]
Elder Abuse Toolkit
https://alabamaageline.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/abuse-prevention-toolkit.rev09.20.pdf
Good Communication
Do: · Be a good listener. Show genuine interest and concern. · Look to see if the person is listening or seems confused. · Be alert to facial expressions. Does the expression match the tone of voice or body language? · Listen to voice qualities—pitch, volume, rate of speed. · Be aware of “comfort zone.” […]
Responsibilities of a Volunteer Guardian
Responsibilities of a Volunteer Guardian/5:06 Roles and duties of a guardian. Guardian’s general authority under Alabama law. Role in monitoring and promoting the person’s well-being, protecting the person from harm, and utilizing least-restrictive alternatives. “Substituted judgment” and “best interest” standards for making decisions.
Overview of DNR orders
An Overview of DNR Orders Because the Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is often encountered by Volunteer Guardians in their course of volunteering, it is worth discussing. A do-not-resuscitate order, or DNR order, is a medical order written by a doctor. It instructs health care providers not to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient’s […]
Famous People and Volunteer Work
Anne Frank…Winston Churchill…Martin Luther King, Jr…..Famous authors, advocates, political leaders, and more share their thoughts on volunteer work and the amazing people that give of themselves to help others.
End of Life Care
Addresses end-of-life decision-making by guardians of older adults. Presents current definitions of hospice and palliative care and describes several common end-of-life disease trajectories. Details the diverse contexts in which guardians may find themselves when making end-of-life care decisions.
Problems after Court Appointment
Ten Common Problems After a Court Appointment of a Guardian (1) Guardian/conservator is having difficulty fulfilling responsibilities and needs help. Or, the guardian fails to perform required duties in care of the person or management of the property. For example, a guardian may fail to make suitable living arrangements or medical appointments; or may move […]
Elder Abuse Toolkit
https://alabamaageline.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/abuse-prevention-toolkit.rev09.20.pdf
Good Communication
Do: · Be a good listener. Show genuine interest and concern. · Look to see if the person is listening or seems confused. · Be alert to facial expressions. Does the expression match the tone of voice or body language? · Listen to voice qualities—pitch, volume, rate of speed. · Be aware of “comfort zone.” […]
Responsibilities of a Volunteer Guardian
Responsibilities of a Volunteer Guardian/5:06 Roles and duties of a guardian. Guardian’s general authority under Alabama law. Role in monitoring and promoting the person’s well-being, protecting the person from harm, and utilizing least-restrictive alternatives. “Substituted judgment” and “best interest” standards for making decisions.
Overview of DNR orders
An Overview of DNR Orders Because the Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is often encountered by Volunteer Guardians in their course of volunteering, it is worth discussing. A do-not-resuscitate order, or DNR order, is a medical order written by a doctor. It instructs health care providers not to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient’s […]