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About Us
Because if not us, then who?
The Guardian ad Litem Program began in Washington state, in 1977, with a judge who could not decide on a case for a three-year-old child because of insufficient information. That led to the formation of an organization of trained volunteers to conduct a thorough investigation on behalf of the child and then make informed recommendations to the court. This became a nationwide program called The Guardian ad Litem Program (in some states) or Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in other states. Through regular visits with the child, and interviews with teachers, counselors, doctors, parents/caregivers, law enforcement, and anyone playing a significant role in the child’s life, the volunteers give judges much needed information about the child. According to the National CASA/GAL website, “In 2023, there are 900 CASA/GAL state organizations and local programs in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Our collective commitment to children and youth is stronger than ever.”
GAL Friends supports the Guardian ad Litem Program of Orange and Chatham Counties through the provision of funds to help in the training and retention of Guardian ad Litem volunteers. GAL Friends tries to meet all reasonable requests made by GAL volunteers to cover costs such as school uniforms/materials, camps, classes, tutoring, and anything their assigned child may need to have the most normal and enriching childhood experience possible. Each request is carefully reviewed by Guardian ad Litem supervising staff before it is presented to GAL Friends. Once presented, the Board will discuss and vote to approve or deny the request. At times, costs of expensive requests are shared by GAL Friends and the Department of Social Services. Yet, the majority of requests are totally funded by GAL Friends.
Caring for our most vulnerable...
The Orange and Chatham County Friends of the GAL Program, or GAL Friends, is a nonprofit charitable organization - 501(c)(3) - whose mission is to support the Guardian ad Litem Program of Orange and Chatham Counties in North Carolina. GAL Friends provides supplemental materials, equipment, and services, as appropriate, to contribute to the well-being of the children whose interest the guardians are appointed to represent. We
support the Guardian Ad Litem Program and its member guardians (“GALs”) so they may better serve the children they represent. We
receive donations from individual and corporate donors for the purpose of supporting the Guardian Ad Litem Program in Judicial District 18. We provide items and experiences for children who have been assigned a Guardian ad Litem because every child deserves opportunities for normal childhood experiences, learning, and growth. We may provide materials like a pair of cleats, clothing, school supplies, books, or even a bed. Or, we may provide experiences like an extracurricular activity, tutoring, summer camp, or a special trip.
Without GAL Friends, kids caught up in the Dependency system would go without these things that are so important in providing a little bit of normal life to a child who has gone through so much instability.
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