From Empty Nest to Full Heart: Finding Purpose Through Volunteer Advocacy

A New Season of Life

When children grow up and leave home, many parents experience what’s often called the “empty nest.” For some, it brings a welcome sense of freedom; for others, it leaves a quiet gap where purpose used to be. The routines of caregiving and family life shift, and many wonder how to use their time, skills, and compassion in meaningful ways.

For people in Johnson, Shelby, and Hancock counties, that answer may be closer than they realize. Through District 17 VASIA, the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults program, community members are stepping into a new role that transforms lives, including their own.

Advocacy That Changes Lives

VASIA serves adults who are elderly or incapacitated, individuals who may no longer have family to speak for them or protect their best interests. These neighbors are often isolated, vulnerable, and in need of both security and advocacy.

Volunteers step in as court-appointed guardians and advocates, ensuring that no one is forgotten. Unlike government programs, VASIA relies on trained volunteers who bring compassion, humanity, and persistence into situations where bureaucracy alone cannot provide comfort.

A volunteer advocate might:

Represent an adult in court to make sure their voice is heard
Help arrange medical care or manage finances
Connect someone with community resources like housing or insurance
Provide comfort and dignity at the end of life

Each case is unique, but the thread is the same; VASIA volunteers stand beside those who would otherwise be left without a voice.

A Testimonial of Purpose

For many volunteers, this work comes at the perfect time in life. Julie Dwier, a retiree who joined VASIA, shared her perspective:

“I think a lot of people think you have to have a certain skillset to be a volunteer with VASIA, but the truth is if you are a kind and compassionate person who just likes to make the world a better place… You’re perfectly qualified.”

Julie’s story reflects a common truth. You don’t need a professional background in law, medicine, or social services to serve. What matters most is compassion, integrity, and a willingness to learn.

Training That Builds Confidence

Every VASIA volunteer receives thorough preparation before stepping into advocacy. Training sessions cover key areas such as:

Guardianship Law 101; understanding Indiana’s legal process and due process protections
Conditions of Aging; recognizing dementia, delirium, and other health concerns
Paying for Long-Term Care; navigating Medicare and Medicaid
Palliative Care and Ethics; making difficult decisions with compassion
Community Resources; knowing how to connect adults with the help they need

This training ensures that volunteers enter the role with both knowledge and support. And throughout the journey, VASIA staff provide guidance and encouragement, so no one serves alone.

From Empty Nest to Full Heart

For many, the empty nest stage brings both opportunities and questions. Some wonder how to use their skills; others miss the daily purpose of caring for others. Volunteering with VASIA provides a natural answer; it fills the gap with service that truly matters.

The rewards are significant:

A renewed sense of purpose through meaningful service
Deep connection to the community and to those most in need
The chance to serve as a voice in the court system for neglected or incapacitated adults
The knowledge that you are providing safety, dignity, and compassion

Instead of looking at an empty house and wondering what comes next, VASIA volunteers find their hearts full: full of purpose, full of service, and full of gratitude.

Why District 17 Needs You

In Johnson, Shelby, and Hancock counties, the need for guardianship and advocacy is real. Every year, vulnerable adults face court proceedings without family or support. Judges rely on VASIA volunteers to step in, ensuring that no one is left alone in moments of crisis.

Your presence can be the difference between neglect and security; between isolation and connection. When you volunteer, you are not only protecting rights and resources; you are becoming family to someone who has none.

Take the Next Step

If you are entering a new season of life and wondering how to use your gifts, consider becoming a volunteer advocate with VASIA. The training is thorough, the support is strong, and the impact is lasting.

The nest may be empty, but your heart can be full. Join District 17 VASIA today and become the voice, the advocate, and the servant that a vulnerable adult is waiting for.

Visit our volunteer page to complete your application and take the first step toward a purposeful new chapter.