Helping children

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: May 23, 2008

Last year in North Carolina, more than 100,000 children were reported to Child Protective Services as alleged victims of child abuse or neglect. In 2006, 34 children were victims of child abuse homicides in North Carolina.
These numbers are very disturbing, but there is a way that you can help. You can become a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for an abused or neglected child in Rockingham County. A Guardian ad Litem is a trained community volunteer who is sworn in by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children. These children are petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services.
A Guardian ad Litem makes independent recommendations to the court about services which focus on the needs of each child and advocates for a permanent and safe home for every child within the shortest time possible. The main qualification to become a Guardian ad Litem is to have a sincere concern for the well being of children. Also, the volunteer must be a mature adult of sound character, be able to past a background check, be objective and nonjudgmental, and be able to dedicate two to four hours each month to their case. There are no educational requirements or work experience needed. We hope to hold another training class soon. If you are interested in becoming a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer, please call Amanda Reeves at (336) 634-5738

Amanda Reeves
Program assistant, Guardian ad Litem