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POLK COUNTY—The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem, GAL, Program are currently seeking volunteers to advocate for needy children in Polk County. The recent storm has created challenges for many children in the area, making the support of GAL volunteers even more critical.

Melani Lainhart Splain, program supervisor for the Guardian ad Litem in Polk County, emphasizes the importance of their role. 

“When children are put into foster care, they are assigned a court-appointed guardian who is dedicated to ensuring the best interests of the child,” said Lainhart Splain. “With ongoing cases and children continuing to come into custody, we can use all the help we can get.”

The GAL program has been a pillar of support for abused and neglected children for over 40 years. When a petition alleging abuse or neglect is filed in district court, a judge appoints a Guardian ad Litem advocate, an Attorney Advocate and GAL Staff to represent the child’s interests in court. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided with ongoing support throughout their service. 

The training course for new volunteers is designed to be accessible, meeting for one day a week over six weeks, with sessions lasting two and a half hours each. “Becoming a GAL volunteer means dedicating a few hours a week to make a significant difference in a child’s life,” Lainhart Splain added.

Those interested in supporting children through the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program can visit www.volunteerforgal.com for more information.