We welcome you and your interest in our local Guardian Ad Litem Program that Advocates for Abused, Neglected and Abandoned children. Guardians are the Voice of the Children in Court and base their recommendations on the "Best Interests" of the child. We trust you will want to become involved in this important mission to Help a Child!

March 2008
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and the GAL Program are launching a,...

"With their joint goal of helping the children of the world, ...

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a volunteer appointed by the court to protect the rights and advocate the best interests of a child involved in a court proceeding. The volunteer GAL makes independent recommendations to the court by focusing on the needs of each child. The GAL advocates for the best interests of the child they represent.

A Volunteer GAL is an individual who is appointed by the court to advocate for children who come into the court system primarily as a result of alleged abuse or neglect. Volunteer GAL's are:

• Individuals who respect a child's inherent right to grow up with dignity in a safe environment that meets that child's best interests.



• Individuals who assure that the child's best interests are represented in the court at every stage of the case.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Guardian Program launches a new partnership with The Place of Hope and Christ Fellowship church to raise awareness of the need for volunteers and to advocate for abused and neglected children, resulting in 46 people wanting to become new Guardians! We look forward to continuing these efforts through more of the Faith Based Community in our area. March 2008

The Guardian Ad Litem Program has just completed training for 22 new Guardians. Welcome! We have another class forming now. Please see if you qualify by going to the "How Do I Get Started" Page to help advocate for a child who has been abused or neglected