The program will run for 10 weeks — taking place each Monday from 6-9 p.m.
“If you have 4-6 hours a month to give to an abused or neglected child, you could make a difference in that child’s life,” said Guardian ad Litem of Union County Coordinator Stephanie Kitchens.
Each volunteer will receive a training manual and topics covered will include being a guardian, interviewing children, interviewing parents, writing reports and going into courts. The program will also include various training exercises, court observation and guest speakers to give volunteers an idea of the different aspects of the program.
As of July, lawyers were no longer allowed to serve as guardians in the courtroom. The law requires a volunteer guardian be assigned to every child abuse and neglect case. Without a volunteer, the cases cannot proceed.
Kitchens said children are usually more responsive to volunteers than to others working the cases.
“A lawyer coming into your house is different than a volunteer coming into your house,” she said. “The kids tend to view lawyers, police officers and case workers more negatively.”
She said Guardian ad Litem provides children with someone they can talk to and tell what they truly want to happen.
“It’s good for the children to have someone who can tell them, ‘I’m here for you. Not your parents. Not DSS. You,’” Kitchens added.
She also stressed the need for more volunteer guardians in Union County. There are currently eight guardians in the county, four of which have more than one case.
“Having more than one case makes it hard to give each child the attention needed,” Kitchens added.
She was a guardian for nearly four years before taking on the position of coordinator for the Union office.
“Everybody involved gets to know the kids,” she said. “They are really concerned about them and what happens with their cases.”
Kitchens recalled her time in training.
“It was eye opening to hear them talk about how much they’ve gotten out of it and how they helped the children,” she said. “It’s not just going in and punching a time clock and going home.”
Kitchens also mentioned she still has contact with the legal guardian of a child she represented almost five years ago.
“As a matter of fact, she is actually one of the ones going through the upcoming training,” Kitchens said.
Training is scheduled to take place at the GAL office.
“If we don’t have enough space — which we are hoping for — we will move to a larger space,” Kitchens said.
She also mentioned those who plan to attend should notify the office ahead to ensure enough manuals will be provided.
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