Franciscan VASIA director honored
Franciscan Health Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults Director LaVonne Jarrett was recently honored by the Indiana Adult Guardianship Office of the Indiana Office of Court Services with the WINGS Star of the Year award.
The Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders Star of the Year Award is presented annually to a person who goes above and beyond to help build a better guardianship system for stakeholders, a release said.
Jarrett began her career with Franciscan in 2006 as a volunteer coordinator for the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors program, the release said, following 10 years of working with adults with disabilities for the state of Indiana and The Arc.
The VASIA program is a collaboration between the courts and Franciscan Health to provide trained, supervised volunteers to serve as court-appointed agents to assist elderly and incapacitated adults. To learn more, visit www.franciscanhealth.org/VASIA.
Foundation receives matching $50K grant
The MAAC Foundation has received a matching grant totaling $50,000 from Legacy Foundation, the community foundation for Lake County, according to a release.
The MAAC Foundation hosts first responders from local emergency departments and agencies throughout Lake County and Northwest Indiana who rely on the MAAC Foundation’s facilities for training and continuing education.
The matching funds will support annual operational expenses related to the maintenance, repair and ongoing enhancement of MAAC facilities, as well as costs associated with the academies and training programs hosted on campus, the release said.
Legacy Foundation is partnering with local nonprofits to support community projects and programs and working to build unrestricted endowments supporting Lake County. Learn more at www.maacfoundation.org/legacymatch.
Human resources chief named for Munster schools
The School Town of Munster recently announced the appointment of Susan Tirpak as its new Director of Human Resources.
Tirpak brings more than 25 years of human resources leadership experience and a proven record of strengthening organizational culture, improving employee engagement, increasing retention and enhancing operational performance, according to a release.
In her new role, Tirpak will oversee the district’s human resources operations, including recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, personnel support and initiatives that strengthen organizational culture and employee engagement.
Foundation selected for RailCats non-profit night
As a new initiative in 2026, the Gary SouthShore RailCats have partnered with Wintrust to present the Non-Profit of the Night program. The featured organization for the July 18 game is Quantum Visionary Foundation, a release said.
Founded by 17-year-old Isaiah Harvey, the foundation is dedicated to empowering hard-of-hearing youth and children with disabilities. The release said the organization focuses on providing access to assistive technology, strengthening families and fostering scientific exploration.
The benefits of being selected as the Non-Profit of the Night include the opportunity to set up an information table on the RailCats concourse and the ability to fundraise. Harvey will also get to throw out the first pitch at the start of the game.
The RailCats game starts at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Steel Yard.
Appointments made to state boards
Gov. Mike Braun recently announced new appointments to various state boards and commissions.
According to a release, appointments include: Don Fesko, Powers Health, Lake County, Commission for Higher Education; John Doherty, Powers Health, Lake County, Athletic Trainers Board; Katie Fesko, Eye Designs, Lake County, Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission; Ted Niemiec, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Lake County, Environmental Rules Board; and Keelyn Cook, DLZ Corp., Porter County, Environmental Rules Board.
Legacy Foundation announces board changes
The Legacy Foundation recently established new leadership as it seeks to drive sustainable, long-term impact across 19 Lake County communities, according to a release.
Sean Egan, of Calumet College of St. Joseph, is the new Board Chair, while Lisa Goodnight, of Purdue University Northwest, becomes Vice Chair. They will serve with returning officers, Matt Doyle, Secretary, and Sherri Ziller, Treasurer.
Joining them, incoming board members include Marc Ruiz, partner and Senior Wealth Manager at Oak Partners; Kimberly Ferrell, NIPSCO; and Kathy O’Donnell, community liaison and manager of bariatric programs at Franciscan Alliance.
