Volunteers Sworn-in For Guardian ad Litem Program

(Left to right) District Court Judge Paul Holcombe,
Kori Pelgrave, Arielle Wright, Barbara Ivey, Sandra Broome, Myra Murphy, Ann White and Marie Mobley, GAL Attorney Advocate.

The Guardian ad Litem Program held a swearing-in ceremony recently 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.

Guardian ad Litem Volunteers advocate for 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.

District 11 serves Harnett, Johnston, and Lee Counties. Currently there are 352 children in the District 11 GAL Program and 83 children that are in need of an advocate to help them through this difficult time in their life.  They need a voice to speak up for them. The program will be offering a training class starting October 5th..

If you would like more information on attending and becoming a GAL volunteer visit www.volunteerforgal.org to complete an application. Or for more information call 910-814-4690 or 919-934-3348.