The Guardian ad Litem Program held a swearing-in ceremony recently for volunteer child advocates in District 11.
District 11 serves Harnett, Johnston, and Lee Counties. 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
The following individuals completed the required advocate training and received their GAL Volunteer Oath from the Honorable District Court Judge Joy Jones: Pictured left to right: Volunteers Shaelynn Whitright, Nicole Davis, Monique Clark, Thelma Smith, Brianna Brown, Shirley Brown, Constance Hofwegen, Jaslyn Walker, Daniel McFall, Jodi Bastanzi, Pat Greybill, Joclyn Lights-Coble, Kimberly Connolly, Breana Ridges, Narrie Liverman, Judge Joy Jones and Nicole Lonesky.
The next training class will begin on Thursday, August 2nd. If you’d like to become involved with this advocacy program, contact the Guardian ad Litem program at 910-814-4690 or 919-934-3348. Or for more information about the program visit www.volunteerforgal.org
