The Cornerstone Award, the highest award given by Adult Guardianship Services, recognizes an individual or organization for an outstanding, sustained contribution to the success of the program. This special award is only bestowed on an individual or organization whose support has been pivotal in furthering the provision of client services and the mission of the agency over time. Through the Cornerstone Award, Adult Guardianship Services recognizes those critical individuals whose talents and interest have provided the foundation for the growth of the program since its inception in 1989.

CORNERSTONE AWARD GIVEN TO
JUDGE JOHN J. DONNELLY, PRESIDING JUDGE
CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROBATE COURT
May 25, 2004

• He nurtured Adult Guardianship Services during its formative years when it served indigent elderly wards
  
• He encouraged expansion to serve all indigent adults, including younger mentally ill wards
  
• He oversaw the appointment of more than 900 guardianships to AGS staff and volunteers in past 15 years
  
• He provided significant funding through the Indigent Guardianship Fund
  
• He advocated for funding from hospitals, nursing homes, foundations, and the community
  
• He collaborated with community agencies to improve services to wards
  
• He ensured excellent collaborative relationships between AGS staff and volunteers and court personnel

Sally Siggins was the recipient of the 2006 Good Samaritan Award. This award is bestowed upon a member of the community who has made a significant contribution to AGS. Sally has been a part of the AGS family since 1992 when she became a volunteer guardian. She has served four wards and currently is the guardian of a gentleman in a group home. In 1993, Sally became a member of the AGS Board of Trustees and was its President for three years.

Six years ago, Sally became the Continuing Education Liaison for AGS, arranging for our volunteer trainings and in-service programs to be certified for Social Work Continuing Education Units. Sally has gone above and beyond the call of duty. For the care and compassion she has given to her wards, the guidance she gave to the Board, and for making it possible that our volunteers receive credit for the training they attend, we are grateful for Sally’s many years of volunteer service to AGS.

Thank you and congratulations, Sally!

This year’s Good Samaritan Award goes to Bob and Lisa Stemnock of LightComm Designs. LightComm Designs was hired in 2002 to create a new image for what was then the Volunteer Guardianship Program. From the moment I met Bob and Lisa I knew it was a good fit. While they had the talent and skills needed to design a logo and brochures, they brought so much more. Bob and Lisa could identify with our service having been acting informally as guardians for an elderly neighbor lady who had no one in her life to help her make decisions and act on her behalf. Bob and Lisa could identify with other elderly or severely mentally disabled individuals who had no one in their lives whom they could trust. AGS is more than a client; it is their passion and their mission.

Over the past three years LightComm Designs has accomplished the following:

• Created a professional image for AGS to disseminate our message to the public—putting our best foot forward which assists in long-term development
  
• Generously shared ideas and their time—creatively thinking about how to tell our story to the public
  
• Participated in name change process
  
• Designed our new logo and letterhead
  
• Designed three AGS brochures
  
• Designed 15th anniversary celebration invitations and programs
  
• Designed 14th-year Annual Report and 15th-year Anniversary Annual Report
  

And, most important, they always remind us about how important our work is and how honored they are to be our supporters. AGS could not find a better couple or company to receive the 2005 AGS Good Samaritan Award. Thank you, Bob and Lisa, for your concern and care about our wards. You make it possible for us to enhance the quality of their lives. Thank you, Bob and Lisa, for being such Good Samaritans.

The Biblical Good Samaritan approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. AGS’s 2004 Good Samaritan, Sharyn Davis Robinson, goes above and beyond the call of duty for all her residents at Rudwick, Hillandale, and University Manor. Prior to joining the Saber Health Group, Sharyn was a member of the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry team working for the Cuyahoga County Ombudsman Program. She is licensed in Ohio as a court or private mediator—a skill she has put to good use.

Sharyn Davis Robinson goes out of her way, as did the Good Samaritan, for so many of our wards. Sharyn always makes sure that any issue or concern we have about our wards gets handled right away. There are many times when she has even taken social work matters into her own hands—even while on vacation. One time, we didn’t realize she was on vacation when we paged her for help with a new ward. This ward was accepted and ready to be admitted to a nursing home in the Cleveland area from her own apartment on Shaker Square when the nursing home called at 3:30 on Friday afternoon to say that they could not take her because she was obese. Her guardian, Beth Reid, had stopped the ward’s PASSPORT services since she thought the placementn was going to take place. Sharyn was able to get the ward into Rudwick Manor at 5:30 pm and even arranged for the transportation. If Sharyn had not helped with this situation our ward would have been left for the weekend in the community without services and care. Only then did we learn that Sharyn managed all of this via her cell phone.

Sharyn has helped AGS in other ways that do not even affect her own residents. Sharyn helped search with Social Security, the police, the courts, and on the Internet for information pertaining to a client who was listed as a John Doe. She was able to help create his identity. Recently one of our staff called Sharyn and asked her if she wanted two residents for her facility who were not human! She replied, “Sure!” In a matter of a few minutes she had found a home for two parakeets. These birds belonged to one of our wards and the nursing home where the ward resides refused to allow them to stay. That nursing home suggested the Animal Protective League for the birds. Instead, we called Sharyn.
One of our staff guardians sums Sharyn up this way: Sharyn makes things happen!

The Good Samaritan Award is given to a member of the community who has made a significant contribution to Adult Guardianship Services. Their actions promote and exemplify the core values of Adult Guardianship Services, including advocacy, volunteerism, justice, integrity, dignity, compassion, collaboration, shalom and the ideal of the Good Samaritan.

The Biblical Good Samaritan approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Today’s Good Samaritan ministers with a computer, fax machine, and phone. Ted Reklinski has worked for the Social Security Administration for many years. Ted Reklinski, a Brecksville resident, was honored on October 2, 2003 as Adult Guardianship Services’ Good Samaritan at their annual Volunteer Celebration.

Ted performs deeds of mercy and compassion by promptly responding to requests of AGS staff regarding the Social Security benefits of our wards. His assistance has enabled many of our wards to move to safe housing, obtain funds for personal needs, and prevent financial exploitation.

When it was time to decide the candidates for this year’s award, Ted’s name was the first one that everybody mentioned. I’d like to share with you some of the comments that were made by the staff guardians:

“He’s always been available to help AGS staff with Social Security questions or to direct them to the appropriate person.”

“Ted is a dedicated government worker with a pleasant demeanor. Whenever you request his assistance, he finds a way to solve your problem. He has been a valuable resource to Adult Guardianship Services.”

“So many times we are faced with difficult situations, usually about someone’s money! It is so reassuring to call Ted and know that it will be taken care of. His time and patience are greatly appreciated.”

“Ted is a tribute to the Social Security office in Cleveland. He makes life easy in complicated situations. Being able to work with someone like Ted makes our work so much easier.”

Thank you, Ted, for being a Good Samaritan!

AGS was proud to honor LeMoyne Nesbitt for his help beyond the call of duty in caring for many of AGS’s wards who die and are unable to pay for respectful funeral services. Mr. Nesbitt gives unselfishly of his time and resources by providing each ward a complete funeral from his own funeral home. He also helps locate insurance policies and works with the nursing home to fund a respectful funeral. He makes sure the funeral services are dignified and unrushed despite meager attendance.

In each situation Mr. Nesbitt gives freely to provide funerals that are conducted with the respect due all human beings departing this world. He has never met a stranger and yet is very humble about his contribution. These are only a few of the examples of the compassion, integrity and spirit of giving he demonstrates whenever the opportunity arises. He is truly a Good Samaritan.

We were very pleased to award the 2002 Good Samaritan Award to LeMoyne Nesbitt in appreciation for all he has done for the community and the wards and families he has touched.

PURPOSE
For twelve of its first thirteen years, Greg Hoshek was a volunteer for AGS. Driving every other week to Holmes County to visit his wards, Greg was a dedicated volunteer. He said, “I love and respect old people. I love visiting my wards, taking them to lunch, and buying them the things they need. I get more out of being a guardian than I give. It makes me feel good.” Greg upheld the dignity of each ward and served his wards in a spirit of empathy and selflessness. Greg was also the LMM Board liaison to AGS. His sudden death in February 2002 ended his calling as a volunteer, but his memory and contribution remains. This annual award is presented to acknowledge and recognize the outstanding contribution of a volunteer guardian to his or her ward(s) and to Adult Guardianship Services.

ELIGIBILITY
Any AGS volunteer guardian, volunteer attorney, or other volunteer may win the award. Candidates for this award are the living exemplification of the core values of Adult Guardianship Services. Through their actions they promote our core values of advocacy, volunteerism, justice, integrity, dignity, compassion, collaboration, and shalom.

Greg Hoshek Volunteer Guardian Award Winner, Janice Dzigiel was the recipient of the 2006 Greg Hoshek Volunteer Guardian Award.

Janice joined the AGS Board of Trustees in 1998. Realizing that she would be a better board member if she herself were a guardian, Janice became a volunteer guardian for two different wards, both now deceased. She fondly remembers them, saying she learned more about life from them than she gave to them.

Janice became further involved by accepting the role of president in 2004. During her three-year term, AGS increased its volunteer base by 40, going from a corps of 100 to over 140 volunteer guardians. The paid staff increased from 12 to 18 and AGS now has a budget of over a million dollars. Janice led the effort to return the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board as a funding partner, enabling AGS to serve over 500 wards per year.

Albert Barnes is the recipient of the 2005 Greg Hoshek Volunteer Guardian Award. Albert has been with Adult Guardianship Services since its inception in 1989, serving 6 wards over the past 16 years, serving as both Guardian of Person and Guardian of Estate.

Albert has always gone out of his way for his wards. When one of his wards died, Albert used his own money to purchase an airline ticket so the gentleman’s son could attend his father’s funeral in Cleveland. Another ward, Sylvester, had a sad life – one son was murdered and the other in prison. Albert took the time to write letters to Sylvester’s son and, in turn, would read letters written back to Sylvester. Although Sylvester could not see his son, Albert helped ease his loneliness by bringing a son’s thoughts to his father.
Albert has advocated for appropriate housing, served wards with integrity when handling their finances, collaborated with the various facilities in providing the most appropriate care plan, and has been a dedicated volunteer. A humble man, Albert continually shows his compassion and caring for, not only his wards, but also for everyone with whom he comes in contact.

Congratulations, ALBERT BARNES, as the recipient of the 2005 Greg Hoshek Volunteer Guardian Award.

AGS’s 2004 Greg Hoshek Volunteer Guardian Award winner is Dr. Barbara Daly. Barb has given so generously of her time and talents to AGS. She teaches the Ethical Decision-Making portion of new volunteer training five times a year and has done so for almost ten years. She co-chairs the AGS Ethics Committee for the AGS staff which meets quarterly to discuss ethical issues related to the management of its wards. For many years Barb has been a presenter at the annual AGS ethical decision-making continuing education seminar for all guardians. These sessions always draw the largest number of attendees and address the most difficult ethical issues.

Barb has made herself available, at any time, to both staff and volunteer guardians as they confront ethical questions concerning their wards. What is most impressive is the manner in which Barb truly listens, asks good questions, and guides each guardian through the thought process as we making end-of-life decisions.

Continuing in her quiet voice, Barb has been a thoughtful and important voice as she has served on the AGS Board of Trustees since 1994.

Dr. Daly earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and her Master’s in Science in Nursing in medical-surgical nursing from Case Western Reserve University. In 1989 she earned her master’s in philosophy from Cleveland State University and she received her Ph.D. in philosophy from Bowling Green State University in 1993. Barbara has been a Professor of Nursing at CWRU for many years and since 1996 has been an associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing and Associate Professor of Biomedical Ethics at the CWRU School of Medicine.

In 1993 Barb was recognized for Outstanding Professional Achievement by the FPB Alumni Association and in 2001 was the Distinguished Research Lecturer for the Association of Critical Care Nurses. She has numerous publications based on her accomplished research in critical care of the chronically ill.

This annual volunteer award honors the memory of Greg Hoshek, a 12 year volunteer guardian with Adult Guardianship Services (AGS) until his sudden death in 2002. Greg loved his wards and worked hard to improve their quality of life and advocate for their needs. This award is now given every year to a volunteer who has made a significant difference in the lives of the clients of AGS.

The 2003 Greg Hoshek Volunteer Guardian Award winner is Kathryn T. Joseph, Esq, a partner with Aggers, Joseph and Cheverine Co, LPA. Kathy has been a volunteer attorney and board member for AGS since 1996. She has served as the attorney of record for over 50 AGS clients and has spent hundreds of hours per year providing pro bono legal assistance to the agency and its clients. She has committed herself to the mission of the agency and has also, in her private practice, taken on many difficult guardianships of vulnerable or exploited individuals. Kathy is always available to the AGS staff when they need legal assistance. She quickly and personally manages each of the legal issues they bring to her and makes sure that their ward’s needs are being met. The staff of AGS can always count on her advocating for their clients and negotiating the best legal solution for them.

In addition to her significant time commitment to AGS as a volunteer attorney, Kathy has served as the President of the AGS Advisory Board since 1998. During this time, Kathy has overseen a 100% growth in the program. She led the agency through a strategic planning process that resulted in a name change, a private pay initiative, computerization of the agency, expansion of office space, improved technology for the staff and a doubling of the budget and personnel. She has been an integral part of a community wide initiative to seek expanded, permanent funding for these initiatives through partnerships with allied county and social service agencies. Through this initiative, Kathy has sought to establish shared, community goals that will support the mission of AGS for many years to come.

Kathy truly exemplifies the core values of AGS, which include advocacy, volunteerism, justice, integrity, dignity, compassion, collaboration and shalom. We are very proud to award Kathryn T. Joseph the 2003 Greg Hoshek Volunteer Guardian Award!

In her 13 years as a volunteer with AGS, Dolores Bragg has served eight wards, one male and seven female. She was the Guardian of Person and Estate for the first four wards, handling not only their medical and placement decisions, but also making all of their financial decisions. Over the years Dolores has used her social work skills in many ways, including arranging and attending numerous funerals, finding alternative resources for communicating with a nonverbal ward, redirecting an extremely paranoid ward, and making major health care decisions, even as serious as deciding to amputate a leg to preserve the ward’s health.

Dolores said she had four reasons for becoming a volunteer guardian:

• She recognized the need when she was a social worker at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
  
• She saw how often the elderly and the indigent were without family or friends to help them.
  
• She enjoys being an advocate—a core AGS value.
  
• As a Lutheran and member of Advent Lutheran Church, she wanted to live out her faith through service to others.
  

Congratulations, Dolores, and thank you for your good and faithful service.

RSVP Awards AGS
The 2004 Outstanding Station Award

AGS Volunteer Judie Amsel sees AGS as an advocate for justice. To that end, she nominated AGS to receive the RSVP Outstanding Station Award which was bestowed on AGS at the RSVP Annual Meeting on August 30, 2004. RSVP (Retired Senior & Volunteer Program) recruits and places volunteers with various volunteer opportunities, including AGS.

About AGS Judie says, “AGS Volunteer Coordinator Barbara Matlak and Recruiter Mary Ann Thomas provide a thorough orientation for new volunteers as well as bi-monthly in-service training for all volunteers to guide us through our relationships. They also spend a lot of time with telephone advice, record keeping, and attending funerals. It is probably one of the most intensive assignments RSVP offers; yet, because of the AGS staff, it is not depressing…. AGS takes people in very difficult situations and provides them with dignity and security. I feel honored to be a part of the organization.”

Pictured are: Joy Banish, RSVP Executive Director; Barbara Matlak, AGS Volunteer Coordinator; and Judie Amsel, AGS Volunteer Guardian.

The 2006 AGS Registered Guardians Are:
Greta Miller, RG
Melanie Root, RG
Karyn Seeger, RG

Three staff guardians passed the 2006 NGA Foundation exam to achieve status as a Registered Guardian. Each one demonstrated their knowledge of guardianship standards and ethical guidelines.

2001 AGS Registered Guardian

Beth Reid, Manager of Client Services, also exemplifies the best in guardianship and has the credential certifying that status. In 2001 Ms. Reid passed the exam to be a Registered Guardian, awarded by the National Guardianship Association. This certification demonstrates that she has a basic knowledge and understanding of guardianship and that she will abide by the ethical principles of guardianship. Beth values the dignity of each ward and has gone out of her way with so many of them.

Most Treasured Volunteer

Volunteer Guardian Virginia Lindquist received the Most Treasured Volunteer Award from the Federation for Community Planning (FCP) at their 88th Annual Public Luncheon in 2001. The FCP said of Virginia, “If you’ve ever had to make decisions for someone else, you know how hard it can be. But imagine having to make life and death decisions for them—and doing it voluntarily. That’s what Virginia does, day in and day out. For 10 years she has served as a legal guardian for people in nursing homes who are alone and incapable of handling their own affairs. Sometimes it means monitoring medical care; sometimes if means ending that care to allow a patient to maintain his or her dignity and grace to the end. The issues Virginia addresses are incredibly difficult ones. Her dedication is an invaluable asset to this community.”

Outstanding Senior Volunteer

Volunteer Guardian Norm Prahst, Jr. was recognized as an Outstanding Senior Volunteer by the Medical Mutual Senior Advisory Council in 2001. Over the past 11 years, Norm has been guardian for six different individuals. As a surrogate decision-maker he advocates for the health and well-being of his wards in nursing homes and ensures that the care received meets their needs. For one of his wards, whose quality of life was much diminished after living over a year with a feeding tube, Norm decided to stop the use of the tube and agreed to hospice care. The ward died peacefully shortly thereafter. . Norm was dedicated and made a unique commitment to the life of his ward.

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Positive Impact Award

First a volunteer and now a staff guardian with AGS for the past nine years, Louis Bragg was the only staff person recognized by the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging in 2001 as someone who had “made a positive impact on seniors” in their five county service area. There are many examples of his going out of his way to enhance the dignity of his wards. He makes sure his wards have decent clothes so they can walk proudly to the dining room. He’ll move a ward to a different nursing home if he feels the move can enhance the ward’s life. When wards die, Lou arranges a dignified funeral and includes as many family members as possible, even though the family may have been estranged for years. Lou represents the best in guardianship.