The Guardian ad Litem Program (GAL) had a swearing-in ceremony recently for volunteer child advocates in District 11.
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: Judge Holcombe, volunteers Cierra Leake, Ken Guy and GAL Attorney Advocate Marie Mobley.
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 serves Harnett, Johnston, and Lee Counties. There are approximately 400 children in the District 11 GAL Program and 55 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. 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 visit www.volunteerforgal.org
