By Sherrie Norris
In the past fiscal year, 4,237 Guardian ad Litem
volunteers saved the state of North Carolina over $14.68
million through 813,504-plus hours of service, according
to NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker in a letter
addressed to current program volunteers. On Tuesday, approximately
70 of those volunteers representing three area judicial
districts were honored at Outback Steakhouse of Blowing
Rock, marking the eighth year the establishment has hosted
the annual appreciation luncheon. The gathering was coordinated
by John Lewis, 24th judicial district administrator of the
Guardian ad Litem Program, who serves a five-county region
from his Burnsville office.
Esther Manogin, Richard
Hearn, Mary Farthing and Howard Davenport were just
a few of The High Country’s Guardian ad Litem
volunteers honored during Tuesday’s luncheon
at Outback of Blowing Rock.
Photo by Sherrie Norris |
The High Country is fortunate to have an impressive number
of adults who are trained and appointed by a district court
judge to serve as “a voice to the children,” given
court authority to investigate and determine the needs of
abused and neglected children petitioned into the court
system by the Department of Social Services. The Guardian
ad Litem (GAL) volunteer, as described by Jan Boren, who
has learned a lot about the program in her few short months
of involvement, “is an investigative arm as well as
the eyes and ears of the judge.” The GAL volunteer
makes independent recommendations to the court about services
which focus on the needs of each child, advocating in the
best interest of the child for a permanent and safe home.
While it is the goal of the program to see a successful
resolution to each case in the shortest time- frame possible,
some volunteers like Alex Popper have been involved with
the same children for ten years or more, and sometimes two
or three times over. Having given of his services for “almost
15 years,” Popper told us that the role of a GAL volunteer
is “often challenging,” but adds, “When a
case comes to a successful ending, it’s always worthwhile.”
Popper’s involvement was triggered by a “television
crawl” that, after “five or six times scrolling
across the bottom of the screen,” initiated his response
“do something about it.” His reply to the advertisement
turned into an interesting venture for the retired chemical
sales rep who moved to the mountains from Charlotte in 1995.
While he admits that “most cases” last only a
year or two, he has dealt with at least two lengthy exceptions
of a decade or longer. “I’ve practically been
able to watch these kids grow up.” While he has seen
tragic outcomes along the way, most turn our positively,
he states, “And that makes me feel good.”
Retired school psychologist Ellen LaMartina, who moved to
Boone from Florida, has been a GAL volunteer for nearly
five years. “I always knew I would do this when I retired.
I love doing it – and it makes me feel like I’m
doing something useful.” LaMartina has been involved
in five cases, with some lasting longer than expected, but
thrilled that they have “worked out so well.”
Howard Davenport was a GAL volunteer in McDowell County
for four years before relocating to Boone. At last year’s
luncheon, he was presented a 20-year certificate of appreciation
and continues to hold the record for the area’s longest
serving GAL, estimating having served over 100 children
during that time. “Some came back,” he adds, as
he estimates assisting in “25-30 cases.”
Jan Boren has already been involved with three cases in
her eight months as GAL, “one of which is closed and
two still active.” While she serves in Avery County,
where sources tell us exists a great need, her husband Doyle,
volunteers in Watauga. Both Jan and Doyle retired from “the
space industry,” before moving from Florida. Jan became
captivated by the GAL program there, which her friend directed,
and saw that it was an opportunity to “really touch
the kids.” She adds, “I have to remind myself
that it’s not a perfect world, but maybe I can do something
to make a difference.”
Mary Farthing, Richard Hearn, Esther Manogin were just a
few more familiar High Country volunteers honored on Tuesday,
joined by others from neighboring judicial districts, including
a three-generation team of daughter, mother and grandmother
from Caldwell County, who makes serving children a family
affair.
The “main qualification” to becoming a GAL is
“a sincere concern for the well-being of children.”
The volunteer must be “a mature adult of sound character
with good verbal and written communication skills and must
be able to interact and talk with people of various educational
and ethnic backgrounds.” An “essential characteristic”
is the ability to be objective and nonjudgmental.
The duties of the GAL volunteer include:
· Visits to the child
· Ensures that the child’s wishes are known
to the court
· Interviews the parents, guardians or caretakers
· Interviews the social workers and other service
providers and reviews records related to the family
· Gathers and assesses independent information about
the child sufficient to recommend a resolution that’s
in the child’s best interests
· Seeps cooperative solutions with other participants
in the child’s case
· Prepares written reports for court hearings
· Attends and participates in court hearings and
other related meetings
· Testifies, if needed, to inform the court of changes
in the child’s situation
· Keeps all records and information confidential
· Monitors provisions of service plans and court
orders
· Explains the role of the GAL to every child who
is old enough to understand
· Keeps the child informed of all aspects of the
court proceedings
· Consults with local program staff for support and
guidance
The process of becoming a GAL volunteer requires a written
application, three personal/professional references and
a criminal record check. A personal interview will be conducted
by a staff member. Completion of 20-30 hours of training
by the local district staff is required which will include
court observation. When fully trained, the volunteer will
be sworn in by a district court judge before being assigned
a case, which will conclude only when permanency is achieved
or formally relived by the court.
Anyone interested in joining this dedicated team of volunteers
should contact John Lewis at (828) 682-4754 or email at
john.lewis@nccourts.org |
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