Helping you navigate care

Caregivers face incredible challenges in navigating care for others. The Vigilant Advocate is a platform being built to help support you in those moments. We will soon launch a pilot program which will provide resources, advocacy, support through an app based program as well as with one-to-one human support.

If you would like to help change the system, please complete this survey.

Your input matters.

 
 

a preview of our services

  • Getting care often requires an advocate. Through technology and human-to-human support and coaching, we will provide you with practical skills and support systems that will improve your ability to advocate for those in your care.

  • Caregiving requires a lot time, information, and availability. And, of course, there are many other needs such as transportation assistance, help navigating school absences, assistance getting equipment, etc. The Vigilant Advocate will connect you with resources in your area and help you navigate what is available.

  • Being a caregiver means, often, being a one-person support team. But you, as the caregiver, need support too. The Vigilant Advocate will match you with peer caregivers, direct one-to-one support navigators, and more.

 
Survey Link
 

OUR WHY

A YEAR LOST

In 2017, our founder's son, then 11 years old, got sick and ended up missing an entire year of school. AJ had a variety of symptoms but no one could identify what was wrong. Without a diagnosis, he was trapped in a cycle of countless tests, specialists, medications, and hospitalizations that led nowhere. His family was consumed by fear, exhaustion, and an unrelenting search for answers. Nine months into AJ’s debilitating sickness, a surprising and simple issue was found: AJ had an allergy to indoor mold. The family remediated the mold and AJ’s health immediately improved. AJ, now 20, is healthy and happy, enjoying life as a college freshman.

INVISIBLE ILLNESS

The same year that AJ got sick, his 10 year old sister, Caroline, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. This was a different situation: with a clear diagnosis, there was, at least, more of a path to follow. The complexity, and confusion, however, of navigating life with an autoimmune disorder quickly became evident. In Caroline’s case, there was no lucky answer; no ‘quick’ fix and Caroline and her family have had to learn to navigate life with a chronic illness.

THE VIGILANT ADVOCATE

After experiencing firsthand the isolation, confusion, and emotional toll of advocating for children with complex conditions, Kristen Best was determined to create a platform to provide better support to caregivers. Kristen was a lawyer with skills in advocacy; to better understand how healthcare, and how to meet the needs of caregivers in that system, she pursued a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, graduating in 2024. With this background in law and social work, Kristen founded The Vigilant Advocate with one clear vision: to change the system to let no caregiver feel alone.