CAUGHT DOING SOMETHING GOOD
Making a Difference for Children
Guardian ad Litem program benefits children
now and in the future
Children in foster care for reasons of abuse and neglect are represented by
court-appointed Guardians ad Litem (GALs), who are trained independent
volunteer advocates that represent and promote the best interests of the children
in the state court system. GALs strive to work expediently toward a plan that
ensures these children are in a safe, permanent home. Volunteer GALs in our
area are part of Judicial District 3B, which includes Carteret, Craven and Pamlico
counties.
From October through the end of January, District 3B staff, volunteers, friends
and supporters of the Guardian ad Litem program collected donations of jars of
peanut butter and jelly as part of a state-wide service project to raise awareness for
the GAL program and its ever-growing need for more volunteers. With the help of
local communities and churches, 656 jars were collected to benefit children who
rely on local food banks. The jars were donated to Marthas Mission Cupboard in
Morehead City and Religious Services Community and the Food Bank of Eastern
North Carolina, both located in New Bern. District 3B Administrator Gail Horne
remarked, “The participation in the collection of peanut butter and jelly was a
way to raise awareness about the need for additional volunteer advocates in our
community and simultaneously impact the existing reality of hunger that many
families face.”
The children who are served by the local Guardian ad Litem program typically
come from families that are struggling to make ends meet. Some of these families
are not able to meet the needs of their children due to struggles with addiction—a
crisis at record levels across our State and the country. Local Departments of
Social Services step in to help these children—and in the event that the children
are removed from the home for reasons of abuse or neglect, a Guardian ad Litem
is appointed by the court to serve as an independent advocate.
Due to the increase in the number of cases filed, there are not enough GALs
to serve. Currently in Carteret, Craven, and Parhlico counties, approximately 189
abused and neglected children are involved in the court system at no fault of their
own. At least 15 of these children will have to go to court without an independent
GAL advocate because there are not enough GALs to go around. Some of the local
GAL volunteers have committed to as many as three cases to help ensure that as
many children as possible are represented. Petitions continue to come in weekly
with children who will need to be represented by a Guardian ad Litem.
This sad and incredible fact bears repeating. Right now, there is an abused
or neglected child in District 3B who will go to court without the voice of a
community volunteer advocate—unless someone steps forward to speak for the
best interests of that child through the GAL program. And its not just in District
3B. During 2016, there were 17,019 children represented by 5,075 GALs statewide,
yet there were still many children who did not have a GAL.
Research supports that children who are abused are likely to become abusers.
A trained Guardian ad Litem can be the catalyst to help stop the cycle of abuse in
these childrens lives. Volunteers can and do make a difference by serving as the
voice and advocate for a child.
For information on how you can receive free training to become a Guardian
ad Litem and represent a child in need, please contact the GAL Carteret/Pamlico
office at 504-4525, the Craven County office at 639-3232 or visit the website at
volunteerforgal.org.
Editors note: Pine Knoll Shores has a tradition ofvolunteerism, and a number of
residents have served as Guardians ad Litem over the years. A current GAL from
our community shared information with friends about the peanut butter and jelly
collection, which resulted in a generous response to the effort.
Martha’s Mission Manager Ginger Wade (left) receives the donation of jars of peanut butter
and jelly from Guardian ad Litem District 3B Administrator Gail Horne.
—Photo by GAL Dawn Tolson
Carteret Literacy Council
In Need of Tutors
Changing lives by improving the reading and math skills of adult residents
of Carteret County is the mission of the Carteret Literacy Council. Unlocking
the students world by learning to read—and reading to learn—is achieved by
volunteer tutors who dedicate four hours a week with them. Students come from
all walks of life, including those who wish to learn English as a second language
(ESL) and become productive citizens. All have different goals and desired
outcomes and are placed with a tutor trained to meet their needs. All teaching
materials such as dictionaries, workbooks, citizenship books and phonics software
are provided free of charge and become the property of the student.
Learn how to share your love for reading with others by being a volunteer tutor.
The Carteret Literacy Council provides the training you need to be certified as
a tutor to those who need assistance to improve their skills. A few hours of your
time can lead to a lifetime of fulfillment for someone else.
The next 12-hour tutor training workshop is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. on
Tuesday, March 6; Thursday, March 8; Tuesday, March 13; arid Thursday, March
15. Tutors must attend all four sessions. If you are interested in helping someone
with the gift of reading, call 808-2020 or email carteretliteracy@carteretliteracy.
org to register for the classes. We do ask for a $20 registration fee to cover cost of
materials.
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