The Guardian ad Litem Program was established by statute in 1983. The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program has been serving abused and neglected children for more than 30 years. There are currently about 5,300 child advocate volunteers serving on abuse and neglect cases in every county in North Carolina. District 13 (Brunswick, Bladen, and Columbus counties) has approximately 100 active volunteers. A Guardian ad Litem child advocate is a trained community volunteer who is appointed, along with a Guardian ad Litem attorney, by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services.
We want to honor our volunteers during the month of April, Child Advocate Month, for their commitment, dedication, and perseverance. As a program, we also recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and assist in efforts to raise community awareness about child abuse and neglect. The need has never been greater in our district for trained, child advocates. If you are interested in volunteering, you can begin by completing your application @ www.volunteerforgal.org or calling 910-253-3922.
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