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Support abused, neglected and abandoned children in our community.
JOIN US ON 11.4.23
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Give the gift of normal and put a smile on a child’s face.
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1,100 cases managed each year locally. 565 certified and trained GAL Volunteers.
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Change a Child's Story.
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Empower, advance and lift up our youth with The Empowerment Scholarship.
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Who We Are

The Guardian ad Litem Foundation is dedicated to helping abused, neglected and abandoned children through support of the Guardian ad Litem Office. Programming and funds are used to benefit children directly in various ways: 

Recruitment and Training of Guardian Volunteers

So more child abuse victims can be represented in court. 

Normalcy Programming

Providing basic necessities to youth so that they can assimilate and thrive. 

The Empowerment Scholarship

Empowering youth seeking to rise above their circumstances by furthering their post-secondary education.  

Children with a Guardian ad Litem are

Half as likely to re-enter foster care

Less likely to spend time in long-term foster care

More likely to be adopted by a loving family

More likely to have a plan for permanency

More likely to perform well in school

What We Do

Volunteer Guardians ad Litem complete comprehensive training to learn how to observe children, parents and foster families. Their recommendations are critical to a judge’s analysis and final ruling on the fate of a child. In 4 out of 5 cases, all or almost all of the recommendations made by a Guardian ad Litem are accepted by the court. 

The Guardian ad Litem Foundation (GALF) provides the necessary training and program coordination for our volunteers to perform their duties on behalf of the child.

The Foundation functions as a charity for children in the court systems of Jacksonville and surrounding areas. It has many functions:

What We Do

Change A Child's Story

The mission of Florida’s 4th Judicial Circuit’s Guardian ad Litem Program is to recruit, train, support and supervise volunteers, also known as court appointed special advocates, or Guardians ad Litem (GAL). These advocates are trained and equipped to speak for the best interests of children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected in our community. Each GAL Volunteer is appointed to a child in need. They become familiar with the child and the child’s case so they can make recommendations to the court that help ensure a safe, caring, stable and permanent home environment.

On average, there are more than 1,300 children assigned to the program on the First Coast. There are 565 certified case assigned volunteers. That means more than half the children that need a GAL advocate have NOT been assigned one. Together, we can ensure that 100% of these children get the help they deserve. Let’s give them each a voice and help Change a Child’s Story. 

We need you! Attend our Volunteer Information Sessions and learn how you can help. Our recruiters hold sessions twice a month. They will answer the most frequently asked questions about volunteering such as time commitment and case load.

Get involved today! Register here.

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NUMBER OF SPECIALIZED TRAINING HOURS EACH VOLUNTEER UNDERGOES
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NUMBER OF CERTIFIED AND TRAINED GAL VOLUNTEERS ON THE FIRST COAST OF FL
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AVERAGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN ASSIGNED TO GAL ANY GIVEN MONTH
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COST TO TRAIN EACH GAL VOLUNTEER IN FLORIDA

How Can You Help?

We are always in need of a powerful voice for abused or neglected children. Please consider volunteering with the Guardian ad Litem Program. We need committed volunteers who are willing to be a voice of compassion and care on a child’s behalf.

A financial gift to the Guardian ad Litem Foundation helps ensure a brighter future for the children in our court system. Your contribution will ensure that in every conversation about a child’s future, there is a clear voice that says, “I am for the child.”

VOLUNTEER

Every child needs a hero. Abused, neglected and abandoned children need a Superhero! Click the button below to find out how you can help Change a Child’s Story.

Donate and Volunteer

DONATE

Tax deductible donations to the Guardian ad Litem Foundation help us serve children in crisis. Click the button below to show your support.