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From left, Guardian ad Litem District 30 intern Sarah Jane Stout, supervisor Tracy Hall and volunteer Anne Steele.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Being in the court system isn’t something anyone would wish on a child, but having an advocate in their corner can ease the challenges involved. Guardian ad Litem is designed exactly for that purpose. The program depends on its volunteers who act as advocates on the children’s behalf if the Department of Social Services finds evidence of neglect or abuse at home.
Tracy Hall, GAL supervisor for District 30, which includes Swain and the other 7 far west counties in the North Carolina, said the district is recruiting volunteers right now.
Hall said she appreciates all her volunteers and what they do for the children in the program. Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and receive extensive training and background checks before being sworn in as GALs. Gaurdian ad Litem (GAL) volunteers interview the child, parents and social workers alongside court-appointed legal advocates and try to find the best outcome.
Whittier resident Anne Steele, 91, has been volunteering since 2016 after her husband Bob died. Together, they used to be volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Steele said she thought her background provided some advantages to being a GAL volunteer, given she has taught hundreds of children piano over the years and had three unique children of her own.
She also had some experience with the court system, having worked as a court reporter, including in Washington D.C. for the first energy commission hearing.
“And, I’m not exactly shy,” she said. “I knew there was a need and I hate the fact any children are neglected or abused.”
She credits Hall’s good leadership as a reason she has continued to volunteer.
Over the years, Steele has worked with many children, from babies to teenagers.
“They need somebody who cares to see they are in a home that is adequate,” Steele said. She has seen some clients age out of the system and some young ones reach permanency either through adoption or reunification with parents. Many of those cases were with parents who dealt with their drug abuse or alcohol addiction problems.
On how important the GAL program is for the children, Steele said, “I don’t think there’s any better way, if we aren’t (advocating for the children) who is?”
There really isn’t anyone else who gets the whole picture and is there just to advocate for the children, she added.
On how she maintains her own well-being dealing with some cases that can be disturbing, she falls back on her upbringing and a little grit.
“I was raised by caring people in a safe home by a really strong mother,” Steele said.
She also made it through 18 years of an abusive marriage herself, so she knows about resiliency.
“I also have a very strong religious connection,” Steele said, who is a practicing Quaker.
“One thing I really appreciate about Anne is her involvement with music, teaching at the adult band camps and playing with the church,” Hall said.
Training sessions start in April
The NC Guardian Ad Litem Program will be holding certification classes in Swain County in April. Volunteers are needed to advocate for the best interest of children who have been alleged to be abused and/or neglected. Application can be completed at volunteerforgal.org. For more information, call Brad Renegar at 828-454-6395.