Courtroom Guardians
Celebrating 30 Years
T he rewards come
back in humane
terms, in making a
difference in a child’s
by Rachel Jackson
GUARDIAN AD LITEM
life,” says Liz Kachris-Jones, district
administrator of the Guardian ad Litem
Program (GAL). “The volunteer is the single
person in the process who speaks on behalf
of the child, so you have to know the child
themselves. It’s a wonderful sense. What
you’re doing will have an impact on them
for a long time. It really is pivotal.”
As the nation turns its full attention to
the month of April and the 29th anniversary
of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the GAL
program turns 30. Beginning as a state
pilot program in 1983, GAL has served
thousands of neglected and abused
children by representing them in the
courtroom and ensuring their best interest.
District Court Judge J. Corpening, one
of the program’s earliest supporters, has
been an instrumental part of its develop-ment
and longevity.
“I was one of the first attorney
advocates,” Corpening says. “I was already
involved in juvenile court and it was a
wonderful change. I had asked to have
the job. In the beginning there were a lot
of trust issues between agencies and turf
guarding. We had to develop relationships
910-620-8181 (M)
910-256-4503 (O)
Realtor® N.C.
License #58623
reduced
WRightsviLLe BeaCh
11 West Henderson Street • $759,000
sold
14
WBM april 2013
with other departments like DSS
(Division of Social Services) over
the years.”
Since then, GAL has evolved into
a volunteer-based program vital to
the juvenile court system. Last year the
program served more than 591 children in
more than 1,200 court hearings.
“We train volunteers four times a
year and we have an effective screening
process,” says Kachris-Jones. “Not everyone
is meant to be a volunteer and we don’t
accept everyone. Our children really need
the commitment that we ask. It’s very
gratifying that 192 volunteers were able
to give that last year.”
Though the work can be straining,
Kachris-Jones believes the satisfaction
from advocacy is worth it.
Judge Corpening recognizes the
importance of GALs in court and values
the relationships cultivated between
volunteers and the kids they represent.
“They really step into the children’s lives
to advocate, particularly with children that
are a little bit older,” Corpening says. “I’ve
watched them hug their guardians when
they come into court. They have developed
strong relationships and are a wonderful
source of information. I don’t know how we
would do without them.”
“
Intracoastal Realty Corporation
is licensed in NC
MikeFarris
mikefarris@intracoastalrealty.com
Boat slip
5 Bedroom • 4.5 Bath
WRightsviLLe BeaCh
103 Seaside Lane • $859,000
Spectacular View • Fully Furnished
WRightsviLLe BeaCh
316 Causeway Unit B • $1,224,900
4 Bd • Boat Slip • Elevator
New
listiNg
LaNDFaLL–WateRFRoNt
1124 Harborway Place • $2,595,000
Estate-size 2.6-acre Intracoastal lot
located on a point. Boat slip.
The 5th Judicial District Guardian ad Litem Program celebrates 30 years in 2013.
beachbites