NEWS

Lynn ShermanNo Place Like Home Honorary Chair

“When our children are successful, our community thrives.”

It was a great honor to recognize Lynn for her service and achievements at the annual No Place Like Home event. Lynn’s wish is that every child in the foster care system has a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer, and she feels strongly that as long as there is abuse and neglect in our society, we need to continue to advocate for these children.

Lynn Sherman was previously a Board […]

The Community Foundation exists to help generous individuals, families and organizations put their philanthropic vision to work. One of the most rewarding charitable giving vehicles is an endowment—a fund that will exist in perpetuity to help now AND for generations to come. Felecia L. Walker, Esq., Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) board chair talks about how—and most importantly—why GAL Foundation chose to establish an endowment at The Community Foundation:   

“At the beginning of my career a judge said to me that […]

Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Florida’s First Coast Chair, Felecia Walker, speaks with Folio2.0’s Rob Nicholson about Jacksonville’s Guardian ad Litem program and what it means to be a guiding light in a child’s life. Guardians ad Litem serve as the exclusive advocates for children in the court system in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties. […]

Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Florida’s First Coast Chair, Felecia Walker, speaks with Action News Jax’s Tenikka Hughes about volunteering with the foundation and becoming an advocate for children in the court system. Watch the video

The Federal Bar Association Jacksonville chapter’s annual “Spirit of Giving” awards recognize those who have made notable contributions in service to others.

“It’s a testament to the legal community in this area that we haven’t run out of people to honor,” said U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan, who presented the 12th annual awards at The River Club.

Attorney Andrew Bonderud was recognized for his service as a volunteer attorney representing federal criminal defendants who are incarcerated at the time of their trial.

Corrigan […]

As the opioid epidemic swells the tide of abused and neglected children coming into the state foster-care system, a Florida judge is trying to find them a “forever” home, in time for the holidays.

On December 20th, Circuit Judge David Gooding of the 4th Judicial Circuit will hold his annual “Home for the Holidays” adoption ceremony at the Duval County Courthouse. At last year’s event, he approved 18 adoptions, from infants to teens. He warns against allowing children to age out […]

Originally from The New York Times.

Giving to charity makes you happier, healthier and even richer.

That’s what I found in my research for a book I was writing back in 2003. Data clearly showed that giving and volunteering have a positive impact on givers’ health, wealth and life satisfaction — especially when we can see the faces of the people we are helping. Was this the secret to building a better life […]

Join Guardian ad Litem at the Riverside Arts Market!

We need more volunteers to help children in Duval, Nassau and Clay counties! The GAL program will be on site at RAM on September 9, 16 and 30 to answer questions about being a child advocate and help recruit for these critical positions.  Please tell all of your friends and family!

Current GAL volunteers that wish to share their story of help, hope and becoming a superhero to kids, can sign up for […]

GAL project aims to help children
In partnership with the Appellate Practice Section

This article was originally posted on Aug. 15, 2017 at floridabar.org. Read the original GAL/Florida Bar article.

In partnership with the Bar’s Appellate Practice Section, the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program announced its latest pro bono initiative, the “Defending Best Interests Project,” which will allow more Florida attorneys to use their skills to defend the best interests of dependent children when challenged on appeal.

In dependency court, it is a […]

Guardian at lidem
Guardian as litum
Guardian and lietum
Guardian ad litem.

No matter how you spell it, guardian ad litem is a funny word that means serious business. Court judge serious. Save a life serious. But don’t let its unusual name fool you. Guardians ad litem aren’t graven characters from the latest science fiction bestseller. They are everyday people – real people – making a positive difference in the lives of children and improving our communities every day.

What is a guardian ad litem?

Officially, […]