Colleton County
13 Colleton County volunteers advocated for 95 children in 2008. Unfortunately, 92 children were turned away from the program due to a lack of trained volunteers.
Our volunteers are ordinary people who want to make a difference for an abused child. If you have 4-6 hours per month to give to a child, you could be that person.
Our next training session starts February 1, 2010. Learn about our free training program.
Who
can become a volunteer GAL?
See how you can make a difference for an abused child.
Questions? Try our FAQ!
Ready to start making a difference?
Download an application in PDF
Format or Word
Format or call Linda Koehler at 549-6580.
L. H. Buff, Jr., retired biology professor, attending the Forgotten Children Rally, November 12, 2008 in Spartanburg
“My name is L.H. Buff, and I’ve been a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Volunteer since 2001.
Being a GAL is serious business. After all, a child’s future is at stake. But there are unexpected rewards. Several children made my day every time I saw them. One little girl who was born with brittle bones never slowed down as she hobbled around on each new cast from her latest break. Her cast collection was displayed the same way other girls display their dolls. Another young man always kept me laughing finding humor in everything that happened to him. A third child, a second grader, climbs up beside me and reads aloud, sounding out the words he does not know, from a book from the school library.
I know everyone cannot become a GAL. It takes time, and a little money for gas. But there are children who need someone, and that someone might be you."
"Sara" is a child living in foster care who has a volunteer GAL to speak for her. Sara knows that her GAL will stay with her case for as long as it takes to find her a safe, loving home.
Sara's GAL visits her foster home, and really listens to what Sara has to say. When Sara's case goes to court, her GAL is usually the person who has been on the case the longest, and can make recommendations that are best for her. The GAL is Sara's advocate, and always tells the Judge what Sara wants, so she will always have a voice. Learn more about the Forgotten Children here.
Colleton County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program
Linda Koehler, Coordinator
109 Benson Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
549-6580
volunteer@Colleton.scgal.org
