Brittany came into foster care as a result of neglect and abandonment. But she hasn’t let that hold her back. A gifted singer, she is now 18 years old, out on her own, and a senior in high school. Her volunteer Guardian ad Litem, Jo, has been a major influence on her life. “She used to always tell me, don’t give up. I had heard it from other people, but it’s different when you hear it from someone who means it. From her, I know she means it.”
Brittany has high hopes for her future. “I am going to have my own group home, or be a counselor or therapist. For all the kids who have been through what I’ve been through, or worse. Someone who can say I know how you feel. I know what you been through. This is what I believe, and this is what I know, that I am going to make a difference. And I am ready.”
GAL Volunteer Jo Gramling Lopez and former foster youth Brittany.
Click here to read more about Brittany and Jo.
Spartanburg County
72 Spartanburg County volunteers advocated for 554 abused or neglected children during 2008. Unfortunately, 120 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.
Next training session starts:
Evenings, July 13.
Spartanburg GAL Volunteer LH Buff and former foster youth Charlie.
LH was appointed as Charlie’s GAL volunteer seven years ago. Charlie was 11 when he entered the foster care system for the second time, after being neglected by his parents. “Being in the system ain’t easy, says Charlie. It’s harder to do what you want to do and become what you want to be. Having LH there to talk to about all this, and him encouraging me to actually step up and do something about it, it made a huge difference. Back when I first met him, my grades were falling, and I didn’t want to do nothing. Having somebody saying you can do this, you have a great potential, it just made a difference. I’ve been on A/B honor roll almost every year since then.”
Who
can become a volunteer GAL?
Learn about our free training program.
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.
Spartanburg County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program
Jean Bradley, Coordinator
207 Magnolia Street, Suite 110, Spartanburg, SC 29306
573-5175
volunteer@Spartanburg.scgal.org
