Why Volunteer for Guardianship Services, Inc.?

The people who need your help are friends and neighbors -- people in your community who held jobs, raised families, joined clubs. Because of mental incapacity or physical disability, they are no longer able to make and communicate good decisions and are in crisis. People are referred to GSI because there is no one else to help. As a GSI volunteer, you stand in the gap – protecting them, befriending them, and advocating for them. If someone you love faced insurmountable problems all alone, wouldn’t you want someone like you helping them?

How to Volunteer

Please complete the Volunteer Application and mail it to:

Volunteer Coordinator 
Guardianship Services, Inc. 
P.O. Box 11481
Fort Worth, TX 76110

The application may also be faxed to (817) 921-0499 or e-mailed to volunteer@guardianshipservices.org. 

If application is faxed or e-mailed, please also mail the application so that we will have original signatures.

Volunteer Qualifications

Guardianship Services, Inc. is looking for volunteers who:

• Demonstrate an interest in helping others.
• Are sympathetic to the needs and concerns of incapacitated adults.
• Have good communication skills.
• Recognize the value of being organized and accountable.
• Can advocate assertively for the client.
• Are at least 21 years old.
• Are willing to submit to an annual Criminal Background Checks as required by state law and agency standards.

Volunteer Opportunities 

• Guardianship Program Volunteers serve clients who have been declared legally incapacitated in a Probate Court. GSI trains community volunteers to serve as Volunteer Guardians to represent the best interests of incapacitated clients.
  Click here for more information.
• Representative Payee Volunteers serve clients who cannot manage their government benefit check. GSI is appointed as Representative Payee by Social Security and volunteers assist by visiting the client to assess needs, delivering allowances, and helping the clients with shopping.
  Click here for more information.
• Money Management Education Volunteers work with the adults whose primary diagnosis is mild intellectual disabilities. As the client’s volunteer, you will monitor financial activities and assist them in making sound financial decisions.
  Click here for more information.

Volunteer Screening Process

Because of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work volunteers perform, all volunteers are expected to undergo a thorough screening process which includes the following:

• Application giving employment history, contact information and special skills; 
• Written references from three individuals. 
• Criminal Background Checks (Because of state law and funding source requirement, at least two different background checks are required annually for each volunteer.)

Training and Support

All volunteers are expected to attend and initial orientation and training. Staff members and guest speakers provide instruction on client characteristics, benefit programs, program guidelines, community resources, and advocacy tips. The volunteer guardian training is ten and a half hours divided into three sessions. Training for the volunteers in the Money Management Program is 4 hours.

In addition, periodic in-service training sessions are held to give volunteers information on current issues and allow them to share their experiences with other volunteers. Helpful training is also provided by the monthly e-newsletter, The Volunteers Voice.

When a volunteer is assigned a client, he is given a number where he can reach the case manager for the client 24/7. Staff members are available at all times to provide guidance and assistance to the volunteers.