Guardian ad Litem honors volunteers
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on April 22, 2017 11:02 PM
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News-Argus/ROCHELLE MOORE
Colleen Kosinski, center, District 8 Guardian ad Litem Program administrator, presents the Champion for Children Award to Shawn Whitfield and Sandra Jarman, representing the West Pharmaceutical Co. , for the company's support to the program that serves children in Wayne, Lenoir and Greene counties.
Guardian ad Litem volunteers serving hundreds of children in Wayne, Lenoir and Greene counties were recognized Friday for their service to the community.
The District 8 Guardian ad Litem program, which serves nearly 300 children in the three-county area, takes time each year to show appreciation to the volunteers who serve as advocates and a voice for children in the court system.
"The work isn't always easy, but it is so incredibly worthwhile," said Colleen Kosinski, administrator for the District 8 Guardian ad Litem Program. "We could not do this work without all of you.
"Because of you, we were able to protect 470 children just this past year, and we were able to see that 181 of (their) cases closed with them being in a permanent and safe home."
The Guardian ad Litem Program, of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, pairs each volunteer guardian with an attorney. Guardians are then assigned to children who have entered the court system due to abuse or neglect, in an effort to identify the needs of each child.
Their role helps inform judges, with the goal of providing children with the best possible outcome.
During the past year, more than 5,000 guardians statewide have saved North Carolina more than $10 million through their volunteer efforts and service to 17,000 children, said Cindy Bizzell, administrator for the Guardian ad Litem Program in North Carolina.
"I know that the children that come into the court system in these three counties are in good and capable and caring hands," Bizzell said, during the luncheon at Outback Steakhouse in Goldsboro.
"You make a huge difference and you see the possibilities and the promise that is kind of latent in the children's lives that you represent. I just thank you for bringing that to life and for doing what you do to bring good information to judges so they can make great decisions on behalf of our kids."
The luncheon also included the presentation of a District 8 Guardian ad Litem community award.
Kosinski presented the Guardian ad Litem Champion for Children Award to employees of West Pharmaceutical Co. The West Pharmaceutical Co., in Kinston, was recognized for its support and service to the program.
"They joined with us about three and a half years ago by granting us some public support, and as a result of that, we have been able -- first and foremost -- to bring in an additional 66 new volunteers that they have helped us with training, recruitment and rewarding our volunteers in little ways that are possible," she said.
"They also have helped us meet the unmet needs for children. We have a safer community because of their involvement."
The Guardian ad Litem Program in Wayne, Lenoir and Greene counties has 175 guardians who are serving just under 300 children. More than half of the children, 168, are from Wayne County, Kosinski said.
Sen. Don Davis, D-District 5, also thanked volunteers for their service to the state.
"I have, truly, a special place in my heart for those who would dedicate their lives and their time, especially for those who need an advocate and can't fully advocate for themselves," Davis said. "Because of your work, because of your commitment . . . because of what you do, you are -- and you must know this -- allowing somebody an opportunity to have a future and a better tomorrow."
The Guardian ad Litem Program is always in need of volunteers and additional information about the program can be found online at www.volunterforgal.org.