The new Guardian ad Litem office — located at 201 E. Main Street — had a capacity crowd for an open house Thursday evening.

The GAL program recently opened the Union office due to a need for volunteers in this area.

Union is a part of the 16th Judicial Circuit and, until recently, the only office was located in Rock Hill.

The GAL program recruits and trains volunteers who represent abused and neglected children in family court cases and, according to Circuit Coordinator Mary Hoppman, the law requires a volunteer guardian to be assigned to every child abuse and neglect case. Without a volunteer, these court cases cannot proceed and volunteers are seriously needed in Union.

“Volunteers represent the best interests of the child and are the voice for the child,” Hoppman said. “A volunteer tells the judge what the child wants, aside from giving an objective recommendation.”

The Guardian ad Litem Coordinator in Union is Stephanie Kitchens. Kitchens was a guardian for four years before becoming coordinator.

“My main goal is to have as many volunteer guardians as possible,” she said.

Kitchens plans to visit various churches and civic groups to inform them about the program.

Since the opening of the Union office, 12 guardians from Union County have been sworn in.

“The 12 getting sworn in is a direct result of the opening of this office,” said newly sworn in guardian Robert Hill.

The volunteers completed a 10-week, 30-hour course and were sworn in by Judge Robert Guess.

“We hope to start training in August for anyone interested in becoming a guardian,” Kitchens said.

The training is free and includes classroom time and observation of court which will usually take place on Wednesday mornings in Union.

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer can contact Stephanie Kitchens at (864) 427-1984 or email volunteer@union.scgal.org

You also can visit the program Web site at www.union.scgal.org.