Seneca County Public Guardian Program receives $68,000 in grant funding from Allen Eiry Foundation
Seneca County Probate Court Judge Jay A. Meyer and the Seneca County Public Guardian wish to express their sincere thanks to the Columbus Foundation and the Allen Eiry Fund Advisory Committee for awarding the Guardianship Program a $68,000 grant from the Allen Eiry Fund for 2024. The Allen Eiry Fund, managed by the Columbus Foundation, was established in 1983 in the name of Allen Eiry, a well-known Seneca County resident, businessman and farmer who sought to help our community’s most vulnerable seniors receive the help and support they need. The Allen Eiry Fund has supported the Seneca County Public Guardianship Program for over thirty years.
The Public Guardianship Program provides 24/7 guardianship and conservatorship services to indigent Seneca County residents aged 55 and older who have been declared legally incompetent or struggle with a medical or mental disability. In 2023, the Public Guardian provided guardianship and conservatorship services to 23 individuals in Seneca County. The Guardian’s efforts help ensure that the community’s most vulnerable seniors are safe. Specifically, the Guardian monitors client health and safety; arranges, transports and accompanies clients to appointments; applies for benefits on the client’s behalf; pays bills; makes educated medical and financial decisions; and connects clients to community resources.
Allen Eiry grant funding has been integral to the Guardianship Program’s growth and success. Most recently, Allen Eiry grant dollars helped to provide the resources the program needed to improve its technology equipment, case activity documentation and transportation options for participants.
“The Public Guardianship Program is essential to our community and a lifeline to the vulnerable individuals we serve,” said Public Guardian Jay Rishty. “The Allen Eiry grant dollars help us to provide the best possible service to program participants who depend on the Public Guardian to provide transportation, support, guidance and friendship on a daily basis. The Public Guardian’s help is invaluable to participants who often have little to no other support.”
Judge Meyer reiterated the impact on and importance of the Allen Eiry funding to the Public Guardianship Program.
“We are so proud of the Public Guardian’s life-saving support for our community’s most vulnerable. The Allen Eiry grant funding, along with the support of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wyandot Counties and the Seneca County Commission on Aging, provides our Public Guardian the resources he needs to be there for our program participants when and where they need him,” Meyer said. “On behalf of the Seneca County Probate Court and the Public Guardianship Guardian, thank you to the Allen Eiry Fund Advisory Committee and the Columbus Foundation for recognizing our community’s need for these services and for your ongoing confidence in our program. As always, we will work hard to maintain the quality Public Guardianship services that our community needs, expects and deserves.”
To learn more about the Seneca County Public Guardianship Program, the history of Allen Eiry, and the Probate Court’s Annual Report, visit www.senecajpcourt.com.