Contact: Jackie De Haan |
18 W. Michigan Avenue |
GUARDIAN FINANCE AND ADVOCACY SERVICES |
February 11, 2010
Fosdick to Lead Guardian Fund Development
Few people understand the needs of vulnerable adults better than Pat Fosdick does. She has long advocated on their behalf and served them in various roles.
Now she will advocate for the organization that specializes in helping vulnerable adults: Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services. Beginning in February she will take the lead for the nonprofit’s fund raising efforts.
Who are ‘vulnerable adults’? “Think of an elderly lady with Alzheimer’s living alone in their home. That would be one example,” said Fosdick. “These are local residents who are elderly or have a disability. “Some have a learning disability, or had a stroke. In any event they are especially vulnerable to abuse, scams, and homelessness.”
A surprising number have no family that look out for them. “That’s when we become involved, we guard them from exploitation and advocate on their behalf. That is why we have the name Guardian.”
Guardian helps about a thousand clients in Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties annually. They have served the two counties for over forty-three years.
Funding is a special challenge for most nonprofits now. Guardian is suffering from cutbacks in government funding and must rely more heavily on the philanthropy of the local population.
“That’s why we need Pat in this role,” said Jackie De Haan, Guardian’s CEO. “Anyone that knows Pat also knows that she is sincere, knowledgeable and articulate. We could hardly have a better spokesperson.”
Pat had been with the agency for 13 ½ years and has served in a majority of the program areas. More recently, she was Director of Client Services, overseeing six of the agency’s seven programs. She is on the board of directors for the Michigan Guardianship Association.
In her new position, she will broaden the donor base and pursue new program development.
“Safeguarding At-Risk Adults,” Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services is a nonprofit organization with forty-three years of trusted service to the people in Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties. Their clients are people who need help in managing their personal and financial matters.
Guardian is a United Way organization. More information is available at www.yourguardian.org.For more information, contact Pat Fosdick at pfosdick@yourguardian.org, or call her at (269) 963-3253, extension 434.
Caption: An experienced advocate for at-risk adults, Pat Fosdick is the new fund development director for Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services