Volunteers Needed to Help Local Abused and Neglected Children

Lexington, SC—08/30/2024—In a concerted effort to bolster their support for abused and neglected children, The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, an integral part of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, is cooking up a public outreach initiative cautioning for more volunteer Guardian ad Litems (GALs) in Lexington County.

The aim of these volunteers is to become the voices of the children who have, unfortunately, propped up in legal proceedings within the Family Court via the Department of Social Services (DSS). Working as champions for these distressed children right on the front line, the volunteers shed light on their stories, ensuring their best interests are brought to the fore during court proceedings.

Free Training for Guardian ad Litem Program

Aspiring volunteers can take advantage of the FREE ONLINE TRAINING being rendered by the program. The final two sessions for this year initiate on October 1, 2024, and the next one on October 28, 2024. There are stipulated prerequisites for volunteers including being at least 21 years old, not having a criminal record, no previous DSS case history, and the ability to devote a minimum of four to five hours monthly.

A Plea for Volunteers

Despite having a modest squad of six volunteer GALs, the program is managing services for a daunting figure of 285 children. The need for volunteers is palpably urgent, as the limited ranks of the GAL staff are stretched thin already. As LaDara Depugh, the Director of the South Carolina GAL Program urges, “We’re always looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about advocating for children.”

How to become a Volunteer

Those willing to jump on board this noble cause can visit the official website of the program for more information and to download an application. For more updates and details on local events, individuals can follow the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program on Facebook or shoot an email to communications@childadvocate.sc.gov to be included in the newsletter circulation list.

Interested individuals can also directly contact Sarah Schultz, Recruitment and Training Coordinator for the GAL program, either at ( 803) 365-3379 or via email at Sarah.Schultz@childadvocate.sc.gov.

A Call for Community Support

With the escalating need for volunteers to foster support for these children, it’s high time for community members to step forward and shoulder this responsibility. As an advocate, you can contribute towards reorienting the future of these children and, thereby, help create a safer, congenial environment for them to grow and thrive in.

This is not just a plea for benevolence but an earnest call to take collective responsibility. Let’s change these children’s world, one volunteer at a time.