Local residents take Guardian ad Litem oaths

THREE BECOME GUARDIAN AD LITEM VOLUNTEERS — On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, three Iredell and Alexander residents, (above, from left) Michael Dublin, Barbara Mayes, and Nancy Curley were sworn in by Judge Edward Hedrick IV to be Guardian ad Litem volunteers, promising to advocate for abused and neglected children in court.

Recently, a few more volunteers stepped forward to be the voice for a child in court.

On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, three Iredell and Alexander residents, Michael Dublin, Barbara Mayes, and Nancy Curley, were sworn in by Judge Edward Hedrick IV to be Guardian ad Litem volunteers, promising to advocate for abused and neglected children in the local courts.

Iredell and Alexander County’s newest Guardian ad Litem volunteers completed thirty hours of training in how to advocate for children in court before taking their oaths in front of a judge.

The Iredell and Alexander County GAL Program is part of the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, which recruits, trains, and supervises volunteer advocates in every county across the state to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected, and dependent children in the state court system.

Volunteer advocates work with an attorney to form a plan that ensures these children are placed in a safe, permanent home.

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program thrives on volunteerism, and its vital work is only made possible by dedicated volunteers who are committed to the cause of keeping children safe from future harm. If you have an interest in becoming the voice for a child, contact the GAL office at 704-832-6621. You can also find out more about the program by visiting www.VolunteerForGAL.org.