Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Countess are in need of an additional 300 volunteers to ensure that our abused and neglected children have a caring volunteer standing by their side, speaking up for their best interests and giving them hope for the future. Call 863-534-4605 for more information on how to become a volunteer

2011 Florida Guardian Ad Litem Banquet Highlights

This year, the 31st Annual Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program Awards Banquet was once again held in Orlando on September 7, 2011. With our program’s first Executive Director, Angela Orkin (who currently works for Voices for Georgia’s Children), presenting as the keynote speaker for the evening, she reflected on how our organization has continued to grow and [...]

Guardian Ad Litem Appreciation Luncheon April 2011

The 10th Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was once again held at the Outback Steakhouse in Lakeland on April 9, 2011 in order to honor the hard work and dedication our 500+ volunteers have invested into effectively advocating for the best interest of dependent children in court. Approximately 140 volunteers, board members, attorneys, dependency [...]

Guardian Ad Litem Day 2011

Guardian ad Litem Day was recently held in Tallahassee on March 23, 2011, and wow, what a day it was! Guardian ad Litem Day at the Capitol, sponsored by the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, was a huge success again! The weather more than cooperated, and approximately two hundred of our volunteers and other strong, [...]

New Year, New Logo!

  And now, a word from our Executive Director, Alan Abramowitz: “With the help of Elizabeth Damski at the state office, we have a new logo! We contacted National CASA and spoke with them regarding their new campaign and how we wanted to take advantage of our membership with National CASA. By doing so, we [...]

Congratulations to Bette & Dick Wilburs, the 2011 RSVP Volunteers of the Year!

          Elizabeth “Bette” & Richard “Dick” Wilbers were presented the 2011 RSVP (Retired Volunteer Service Person) Volunteer of the Year award by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners in Bartow on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Dick and Bette have been Guardian ad Litem volunteers for almost five (5) years. They have been the voice for 36 children [...]

Welcome, January and March 2011 GAL Volunteer Grads!

We would like to give special recognition to our newest volunteer classes, who were recently certified in January and March of this year, and are ready to serve our abused and neglected dependent children in our circuit. Welcome to the 10th Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program, guys!

Guardian Ad Litem Day 2011 in Tallahassee

Guardian Ad Litem Day in Tallahassee is less than 3 weeks away (3/23/2011)! Please join us on the steps of the Old Capitol Building 12-1 PM for this special event , or call your local legislators to voice to show your support. Either way, we appreciate your patronage in the 10th Circuit. Details for the [...]

GAL Volunteer speaks up for program at Bartow Legislative Meetings

Kay Rynear, who has served as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for over 12 years, was prominently noted as defending our program at the legislative meetings held in Bartow on Thursday, January 6, 2011. This prompted an impassioned plea from Senator Ronda Storms, a supporter of the Guardian Ad Litem, which can be read at the link [...]

Happy Holidays From The Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer Christmas Party 2010!

This year, our program was once again able to celebrate our volunteers this holiday season at our annual Guardian Ad Litem volunteer Christmas Party. Thanks in large part to our board and our non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, Speak Up For Children In The Tenth Judicial Circuit, Inc., the generosity of Lilly O’Toole and Brown, LLP, [...]