About LITA -- Please scroll down to read about our mission statement, history, staff and board of directors.
Mission Statement
The mission of LITA is to improve the quality of life for persons living in skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities, and retirement residences throughout Marin County by providing volunteer visitors. LITA promotes friendships that lessen isolation and loneliness, and increases public awareness of the needs of residents of long-term care facilities.
History
Since 1975, LITA has provided needed companionship for frail, isolated elderly people who live in long-term care facilities in Marin County and who have few or no visitors. LITA was founded in by Mae Wygant who had volunteered in a nursing home and began recruiting friends and fellow church members to visit with lonely residents.
For the first 10 years, LITA volunteers visited only in nursing homes. In 1985 LITA hired a part-time volunteer coordinator and expanded the program to include visits to residents in assisted care and residential facilities. By 2001 LITA had expanded to serve residents in Alzheimer’s facilities and board and care homes. Currently, LITA offers its services to residents of 48 long-term care facilities throughout Marin County. Volunteers include working and retired individuals, high school students, elementary school classes, families visiting together and volunteers’ pets.
The need for LITA services will continue to grow as the 85 and older segment of Marin’s population continues to expand.
LITA Staff
Jenay Cottrell, Executive Director
Meg Stiefvater, Director of Volunteers
Board of Directors
Reed B. McClintock, Chairman
William J. Strawbridge, PhD, Co-Vice Chair
Belinda Ryland, MFT, Co-Vice Chair
Deanna Lutzeier, Co-Treasurer
John Zikmund
Advisory Board
Mary Jane Burke
Cheryl Jennings
Diane Kaljian
Pat Lewis
Betsy Best Martini
Terry McSweeney
Liz Rottger