How to Volunteer

A Guardian ad Litem (GaL) is a trained independent advocate who represents and promotes the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in the state court system. All volunteers work with an attorney advocate and professional program staff to ensure that these children are placed in a safe and permanent home.

As a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, you will receive training from professionals in the legal and child welfare fields. You will have the complete support of your Guardian ad Litem staff supervisors to help you through each case.

Currently, there are some 150 GaL volunteers who advocate for more than 600 children in New Hanover and Pender Counties. The average volunteer handles two cases at a time. As you can see, there are not enough volunteers to serve all the children who need representation.

Which is why we need your help. 

Look through this website to see what exactly a Guardian ad Litem does and who are the children whose lives we change.  Then, if you think you might be interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem:

1. Call the Guardian ad Litem Program office to request that a packet of information be sent to you: 251.2733 ext. 241 or 148.
2. Fill out the application and return it to the office. [Guardian ad Litem Program, 320 Chestnut Street, Suite 405, Wilmington, NC 28401]  You will need to provide three references; people who know you well, at least one for whom you have worked in either a paid or unpaid capacity.
3. Upon receipt of your application, the office will call you to schedule an interview and answer any questions you may have.
4. You must then complete 25 hours of required training.  Training sessions are offered on a variety of schedules: daytime, evenings and spread over a  2-3 week time period.
5. After training is completed, you will be sworn in by a district court judge.
6. You will be assigned your first case, assigned a program staff supervisor, and offered a fellow Guardian ad Litem volunteer as a mentor.