The Guardian ad Litem Program recently had two swearing-in ceremonies recently for volunteer child advocates in District 11 in Johnston County. The volunteers completed the required advocate training and District Court Judge Jimmy L. Love and District Court Judge Paul Holcombe administered the GAL Volunteer Oath.
Top photo (left to right): Marie Mobley, GAL Attorney Advocate, Judge Love and volunteer Dee Jellicorse.
Bottom photo (left to right): Marie Mobley, GAL Attorney Advocate, volunteers Carol Beaumont, Leigh Blackman-Carter and Judge Holcombe.
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 and/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 Guardian ad Litem Program serves Harnett, Johnston, and Lee Counties and there are approximately 370 children in the District and approximately 70 children 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 next training class will begin in August. If you think this is something you’d like to do, please contact the Guardian ad Litem program at 910-814-4690 or 919-934-3348. For more information about the program go to www.volunteerforgal.org
