Did you know that there are children in the court system through no fault of their own? These are youth that have been alleged by the Department of Social Services to have been abused or neglected. To help these children move through the court system toward safe, permanent homes, the Guardian ad Litem Program (GAL) trains individual citizens to investigate and determine the needs of these youth. The GAL volunteer is provided support and supervision as they work to advocate for the child’s best interest in court alongside an attorney.
Recently the Guardian ad Litem Program had a swearing-in for volunteer child advocates in Johnston County. The volunteers completed the required advocate training and the Honorable District Court Judge Paul Holcombe administered the GAL Volunteer Oath. Pictured from left to right: Marie Mobley, Attorney Advocate for Harnett and Johnston Counties, Denton Lee, Jr., Whitney Price, Thomas Glithero and Judge Paul Holcombe.
District 11 serves Harnett, Johnston, and Lee Counties. Currently there are 346 children in the three county program and 104 additional children that are in need of an individual to help them through this difficult time in their life. They need a voice to speak up for them. If you think this is something you would like to do, please contact the Guardian ad Litem program at 919-934-3348 or 910-814-4690. For more information about the program go to www.volunteerforgal.org
