What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is a broadly used term in the 21st century. You can have an advocate for almost any area of passion or need. There are legal advocates, mental health advocates, financial advocates, and so many other options. Advocacy Matters offers advocacy services related to life’s transitions.

Have you considered having your affairs in order but are unsure what that entails or how to get started? Advocacy Matters can facilitate conversation to ensure your wishes are honored in living and dying.

Are you contemplating where to live or how to age in place? Would you like to live in a senior community or stay home until your last breath? Advocacy Matters can help you explore the options that best fit your desired lifestyle.

Are you facing a new diagnosis and need help navigating our medical systems? We live in a world where our health systems are large, and technology is continually replacing the human voice and kind faces. Advocacy Matters facilitates accessibility, removes frustration, bridges relationships, gathers documents, and communicates information.

We used to believe advocacy was about speaking for others. We are now passionately convinced that advocacy is about listening, with such keen attentiveness, that the advocate creates space to ensure the Client’s voice is heard and their wishes are honored in every way possible.

Why Advocacy Matters?

Advocacy matters in times when “you don’t know what you don’t know.” An advocate will come alongside to facilitate clarifying conversation

An advocate will respectfully listen to your concerns and desires and help provide information so you are equipped to make informed decisions

While professional voices are necessary and helpful, there are times when the client's voice is drowned out amidst well-intended care. An advocate will stand with you to ensure your values and decisions are carried out.

There are times when a bridge is needed to span the distance between connection and care. An advocate can be the bridge to hold space when loved ones are apart.

Our large healthcare systems are designed for efficiency, which often eliminates compassion in care and service delivery. An advocate will ensure the client does not get lost in the system.

Technology is ever changing and replacing personal connection. An advocate will restore personal connection. Advocacy is about not only being seen, but also being known.

About us

Heather

Hello there! I am Heather Kuiper, co-founder of Advocacy Matters. I grew up in West Michigan and have always appreciated beautiful Lake Michigan- I am most content when the sun shines, and my toes are dipped in any body of water. I try to live “my best life,” which has looked different during each life season! For me, life has never been neatly packaged with a pretty bow. However, I certainly remember times when the appearance of that perfectly packaged life felt critically tied to my inner being. At this stage in my life, I am convinced that no one escapes the messiness of life. And I admire those who show up honestly with their blemished bows and wrinkled wrapping, with the courage to ask hard questions.

I am learning that life is most joyful when lived honestly, with a purpose bigger than myself, and in service to each other. Life has not always been this way for me, though. Sometimes, I knew I needed help, but I did not know how to ask for or receive it from others. Through therapy and story work, I learned to appreciate the value of looking back to move forward. Looking back today, I can identify many who stood as advocates for me along the way. Some were gentle helpers in the form of professionals. Some were angels in the form of educators. Others were Good Samaritans in the form of friends- those willing to stop for me while on their journey to offer kindness. Whichever role they played, they were all advocates, and this has shaped my passion to give back. Community, living together, sharing each other’s joys and burdens- this has driven me towards advocacy. I sincerely hope I get to meet you! “Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.”
- Janna Cachola.

Trish

My name is Trish Borgdorff, co-founder of Advocacy Matters. I grew up in West Michigan, surrounded by my family (parents and 4 siblings) who loved me deeply and taught me that experiencing an expansive life includes hard work, community, rest, travel, faith, and fun! I am single and find life full of daily glimpses of joy and adventure. I enjoy time spent with my family (24 members and growing). We laugh and cry together, living life honestly and fully.

Growing up, I learned that it was easy to be seen and more challenging to be known. I remember this was true on a good day and truer during any difficult season of life. I am eternally grateful for those who stepped into my life for a season to know me and helped me to know myself. My work as an advocate has profoundly impacted me. Choosing to work with an advocate can change your experience in our health systems or navigating a critical health situation, putting your affairs in order, or navigating complex spaces with people who are dear to you. Although an advocate cannot change a difficult diagnosis, a need to consider a move or change the work of putting your affairs in order, Advocacy Matters will leave you with the confidence and peace of heart that you have been well informed, are making wise decisions, communicating with intention, and have used your voice to advocate for yourself or someone you love.

Wherever you are today is important. It is part of your story. We would be honored to stand with you and get to know you. Moving through life’s transitions is not meant to be done alone, we look forward to getting to know you.

Our Services

Advocacy Matters provides advocate services in times of crisis, complicated situations, or when you want to ensure your voice is heard.

Facilitating life transitions

Advocacy Matters facilitates one-on-one or family conversations related to, but not limited to, health/diagnosis, aging transitions, end-of-life matters, burial decisions, and maximizing quality of life.

Navigating Healthcare Systems

Advocacy Matters will consult, coordinate, and communicate with Physicians, hospital staff, Hospice, Therapists, and other key professionals to ensure proper health care is being acquired and quality of life is being achieved. This may be done by coordinating doctor's appointments from home or meeting with ER and ICU staff in the hospital and everything in between.

Comprehensive Advocacy Study

The process of the advocacy study will engage the stories of your past and present and will set a framework for how you hope to live into your future. This process could include conversations surrounding health/diagnosis, aging transitions, end-of-life matters, burial decisions, and maximizing quality of life. We will spend up to eight hours with you over two to four weeks to gather information and engage in meaningful questions and discussions. Upon completing the study, you will receive an Advocacy report laying out the framework for our future work together.

Advocacy Matters