100 Volunteers are Needed to Be a Child’s Voice of Hope
The Guardian Ad Litem Program of Broward is Working Heroically to Close the Gap for Children
Broward County, FL (October 9, 2013) – The Guardian Ad Litem Program of Broward County and their nonprofit affiliate Voices for Children of Broward County are working together to help Close the Gap between the number of volunteer Guardians ad Litem (GALs) needed (100) and the number of children waiting for a caring volunteer to help them navigate the State Dependency Court System.
At any given time in Broward County, there are more than 2,000 children who have been removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. Placed in the State Dependency System for their own safety and protection, these children have experienced some of life’s toughest lessons – trauma, loss, pain and heartache – at the hand of the one person who was supposed to be there to protect them and keep them safe.
Children benefit greatly from the advocacy that a Guardian ad Litem, a trained volunteer from the community, provides. As a Guardian ad Litem for a Broward County child, this person is there to make sure the best interests of the child are served and heard.
Sadly, due to the high number of children removed from their homes and placed in the care of the state, many more volunteer Guardians ad Litem are desperately needed. The Guardian Ad Litem Program of Broward County is working to recruit 100 new volunteers in an effort to help Close the Gap between the need for more Guardians and the number currently available by December 31, 2013.
Individuals unable to volunteer their time to be a Guardian ad Litem can still help Close the Gap by making a financial contribution of their choice. The nonprofit, Voices for Children of Broward County, is campaigning to raise $20,000 by December 31, 2013 to help recruit, train and supervise the 100 new Guardian Ad Litem volunteers.
To obtain more information about how to become a GAL, please visit www.galbroward.org or call (954) 831-6214.
To make a donation to help Close the Gap, please visit www.voicesbroward.org or call (954) 915-6949.
About the Guardian Ad Litem Program
A state agency, the Guardian ad Litem Program of Broward County is charged with giving a voice to Broward County’s most vulnerable children, those who have been abused, neglected and/or abandoned. A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is appointed by the court to assist the court in making decisions that will affect a child’s future. Acting as an objective adult, the GAL will provide independent information about the best interests of the child. To learn more about becoming a GAL visit www.galbroward.org or call (954) 831-6214.
ABOUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN OF BROWARD COUNTY
Founded in 2011, Voices for Children of Broward County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness to support the Guardian Ad Litem Program of Broward County, Florida. The Voices for Children organization is committed in its work to provide an advocate for 100% of the abused, abandoned and/or neglected children in Broward County is committed to see that, within our county, each and every abused, abandoned or neglected child is assigned a Guardian ad Litem.. To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.voicesbroward.org or call (954) 915-6949.