Brevard Marks Guardian Ad Litem 25th Anniversary
By Space Coast Daily // January 18, 2013
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Brevard County Commissioner Andy Anderson will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Brevard County Guardian ad Litem Program with a special reception at the District 5 office at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1.
The Guardian ad Litem Program is made up of volunteers who serve as advocates for children who are removed from their homes because of abuse, abandonment and neglect. Over 700 children in Brevard County are currently represented by 200 volunteers.
Volunteers act as the voice for the child in both the courts and the community to ensure that all actions are taken in the child’s best interest. Over 25 years, the number of hours provided by hundreds of volunteers is estimated at 75,000, equal to over $16 million in tax dollars saved.
“It saddens me to know that so many children in Brevard County suffer from abuse and neglect,” Anderson said. “Thankfully, we have the Guardian ad Litem Program here to guide these children through these awful situations.”
Volunteers are still needed, especially in the north and south parts of the county. Hundreds of children are still waiting for representation. You can contact Patricia Williams, the volunteer coordinator for Guardian ad Litem, to become a volunteer at 321-690-6823.
For more information on the reception, please call the District Five Commission Office at 321-253-6611.
