Tampa, FL – Time. We never seem to have enough, and spend so much of it looking for the perfect gift this time of year. But for a foster child, the gift of a few hours of your time each month would be priceless and appreciated for years to come.
Think about some of your holidays as a child. Children in foster care may have good or bad memories, or may be young enough to be forming first memories. Volunteers with Guardian ad Litem can help a child year round by advocating for services, speaking on the child’s behalf in court, and simply letting them know someone really cares.
“Having someone to listen, show up consistently, and demonstrate that they care is something that can’t be wrapped and will never be forgotten,” says Tabitha Lambert, Guardian ad Litem 13th Circuit Director. Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay area have more children in the dependency system than any other part of Florida. These children were abused, abandoned, or neglected, and need a volunteer’s support not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.
If helping others is on your list of New Year’s Resolutions, consider attending an Information Session now to learn more about what Guardians ad Litem do and how they make a difference in a child’s life. These sessions are held weekly, even during December, and times and locations can be found on the website at www.galtampa.org.
Research shows that children in care with an advocate often do better in school, receive more services, and find a forever family more quickly than a child who does not have one. Take a few minutes to see how you can be a part of those results. For more information about the Guardian ad Litem program in Hillsborough, call 813-272-5110 or visit www.galtampa.org.
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