Labor Day marks the end of the summer and the beginning of fall. As the trees start to shed their leaves, we begin to add layers to keep ourselves warm. If they are lucky, Newberry County children who have been abused or neglected will get a new winter coat that will help keep them physically warm. But what about their emotional warmth?

The Newberry County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem program provides child advocates for children who are victims of abuse and neglect. It is our goal to help these children find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible so that they can begin to develop warm emotional ties with a permanent family.

Everyday people, just like you, can become a volunteer Guardian ad Litem. You will work one-on-one with a child, to learn what they want for their future, and then work to make that happen. You will follow their school progress, listen to their problems, talk with them about their hopes and fears.

We seek volunteers, male or female who are over 21, of any education, background, ethnicity or race. All that is necessary is the desire to work with children, and the ability to donate four to six hours per month to the program.

Last year, 18 GAL volunteers in Newberry County donated 438 hours of their time providing hope and advocacy for 93 children. The program needs more volunteers. Will you help?

Our next volunteer training session will begin in October. If you would like to learn more about volunteering for the Newberry County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem program, please contact me at 321-2155, ext. 145 or visit our Web site at newberry.scgal.org or e-mail galNewberry@oepp.sc.gov for more information and to register for the free training.

Jane Doolittle

Director of Newberry’s

Guardian ad Litem program