ST. LOUIS — VOYCE's Executive Director Marjorie Moore scanned through old photo albums in her office on Friday morning.
Flipping the pages, Moore showed 5 On Your Side the photos.
"This is some of our first volunteers in 1979. Several volunteers were with our founder," Moore said. "These folks are the first folks really making a difference in long-term care."
These are moments that formed the foundation for VOYCE.
"VOYCE started back in 1979 when the long-term care ombudsman program started out nationally. VOYCE started in order to provide that program to protect long-term care nursing home residents from abuse and neglect," she said.
Moore said the organization serves 21 counties in Missouri and approximately 32,000 people.
The organization has several programs including the Ombudsman Program.
An ombudsman is a person charged with representing the interests of another, investigating issues or complaints and mediating a fair resolution.
Lisa Smith is VOYCE's Lead Regional Ombudsman Coordinator for St. Louis City and Central St. Louis County.
"Without us coming in, some of these residents don't have anybody to come in to navigate for them so they feel less alone and isolated with our presence," she said.
Smith said their work not only protects residents but it can also educate staff.
She's noticed a trend of improper discharges.
"I’ve seen across facilities that staff are less concerned to do it properly but wanting to get them out. A proper discharge protects a resident. We can appeal those discharges, educate for proper procedures, and ask for the state to help," she said.
Moore said their programs are needed more than ever.
"As facilities pull back for people caring for residents, we see more issues with short staffing so we're a lot busier than we were four years ago," Moore said.
They also stepped in after the largest nursing home in St. Louis, Northview Village, abruptly shut down in December.
Moore worked with displaced residents, as they moved to 27 nursing homes.
"We knew we had to spring into action as one of the few organizations that advocates for people living in nursing homes," Moore said.
The organization guided residents during that time and it wants to continue helping others.
Currently, it's asking for funding from the state.
On Thursday, VOYCE staff members went to Jefferson City to ask for support.
"We are looking for increase funding to hire more people. Now we oversee 8,000 people per ombudsman, so are trying to get more ombudsman for better care," Smith said.
With more funds, the organization wants to provide more support to create even more positive moments.
"This is a confusing part of the world and it's sometimes meant to be, we are here to help people navigate through that and get a sense how they can be empowered through that process," Moore said.
All of the services are free.
For more information on education programs on aging or to donate, click here.