The Fairfield County volunteer Guardian ad Litem program is looking for more volunteers to handle their increasing caseload.

In a press release from the volunteer Guardian ad Litem program in Fairfield County, the office writes:

‘It's the time of year when most of us are busy preparing two lists.

‘We don't always write them on paper, but we have a list of all the things for which we are thankful and a list of things that we hope our loved ones and friends will gift us with during the holidays.

What's on your lists?

Usually we are thankful for food, good health, a loving family, and a safe home.

However, this year many of us have another thought on our minds. We are wondering what the future will hold for us.

Most everything you see on the TV news or read in the papers, suggests that there may be some tough economic times ahead for all of us, but there are over 5,000 children in South Carolina who are already experiencing tough times.

These children have been removed from their homes because their families were not able to provide food, clothing, adequate medical treatment, or a safe environment in which the children could grow.

These children are now living in foster homes. During this holiday season when most of us are sharing a sense

of thankfulness and giving, these children are feeling alone and forgotten.

The Fairfield County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem program provides volunteers to serve as advocates for these children when they come into foster care because of abuse or neglect.

These volunteers find out what the children want. They learn about their families, their school progress, and their special needs. The GAL volunteers work with all agencies involved with the child, including the Department of Social Services, the Family Court, school and counselors, to help the child through this process.

The children need volunteers to represent them throughout the year, not just during the holidays. A gift of 4-6 hours of your time each month can make a real difference in a child's life.

Last year, a shortage of volunteers forced the Guardian ad Litem Program in Fairfield County to turn away one case.

This year, the program's leadership has vowed to increase the number of children served.

To accomplish this, we need more concerned citizens to volunteer.

"Our volunteers offer the best hope for abused and neglected children," said Nikki Owens, coordinator in Fairfield County.

"They are the only participants in the Family Court system who focus solely on what is best for the children."

Volunteers learn investigative skills, interviewing techniques, report writing, and Family Court Procedures.

They are also trained in family dynamics and cultural diversity.

"When a volunteer Guardian ad Litem is not available to take a case, the children are assigned to a lawyer who can seldom spare the same amount of time our volunteers invest in the children," Owens said.

"That's bad news for the children," Owens continued, "and the community as a whole."

Abused and neglected children are 53 percent more likely to become juvenile delinquents and 38 percent more likely to become violent criminals according to a study by the National Institute of Justice.

Abused children are also much more likely to abuse their own children, the study found, continuing the cycle of abuse and crime.

A major factor in avoiding bad outcomes for an abused child is the presence of a concerned adult in that child's life.

"Our volunteer Guardians are in this only to help children," Owens said.

"The only pay they receive is the priceless satisfaction of helping to end child abuse, one child at a time."

Please call Nikki Owens at 581-0226 for more information. Our next training class begins in a few weeks. You may also visit our website at fairfield.scgal.org for more information or to download an application.

*Statistics courtesy of the South Carolina Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program, June 2008. The South Carolina Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program is a member of National CASA. www.nationalcasa.org’