Justice is served
By Sherrie Norris
Staff Writer

The N.C. Guardian ad Litem Program (GAL) partnered with Outback Steakhouse of Blowing Rock to host an area-wide volunteer recognition luncheon Tuesday, April 22, at the Blowing Rock restaurant.

The event honored those volunteers who serve as a voice for abused and neglected children in three judicial districts of northwestern North Carolina. Celebrating its 25th year, the GAL program protects and promotes the best interests of juveniles in abuse and neglect court proceedings. April is North Carolina’s GAL Child Advocate Month, National Volunteer Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, “a perfect time to bring it all together,” said Jane Volland, administrator of the N.C. GAL program, who shared that statewide, 64 offices, approximately 100 attorneys and more than 4,614 volunteer guardians ad litem work as a team to represent 17,701 children.

“However,” she added, “More volunteers are needed to ensure that every child who is a victim of abuse has someone to speak on their behalf during court proceedings.”

Nearly 70 of those selfless individuals, including local judge Bill Leavell and other GAL officials, attended Tuesday’s luncheon, the ninth for which Outback management and staff has donated space, food and service.

“There is no way that our program could afford to have this kind of celebration without Outback’s generosity.” Volland stated.

The gathering was coordinated by John Lewis, 24th judicial district administrator of the GAL program, who serves a five-county region from his Burnsville office. Lewis presented a plaque of appreciation to Outback staff for their ongoing support of the program.

Volland expressed her appreciation for the GAL volunteers prior to and during the event, stating that in the past fiscal year, a record number of 38,000 court hearings” involved GAL. “Last year, we had over 4,600 GAL volunteers who saved the state of North Carolina over $16 million through more than 900,000 hours of service statewide.”

Volland and Lewis both agree that the High Country and surrounding areas are fortunate to have an impressive number of adults who have extensive training and are appointed by a district court judge to serve as “a voice to the children,” given court authority to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services.

The GAL program, as described by Jane Boren, a two-year volunteer currently on her fifth case, is “an investigative arm as well as the eyes and ears of the judge.” While she serves in Avery County, where sources tell us exists a great need for more volunteers, her husband, Doyle, lends a hand in Watauga. Both Jane and Doyle retired from “the space industry,” before moving from Florida. Jane became captivated by the GAL program there, which her friend directed, seeing that it was an opportunity to “really touch the kids.” She added, “I have to remind myself that it’s not a perfect world, but maybe I can do something to make a difference.”

She concluded, “This program opens the eyes to the community about the needs of the children and how their innocence has been taken from them.”

Mary Farthing, lifelong educator and strong advocate for the child through GAL since 1993, does not hesitate to utilize her opportunities to speak up for those she serves, willing to make recommendations as she deems necessary to DSS and the court, as do her peers, in the best interest of the children for a permanent and safe home situation.

Farthing is not afraid to stand up for what’s right, believing that the courts are often “so concerned about the rights of the parents” that the best interest of the children is not always the number one priority. “The children need their representation – someone not affiliated with any other part of the process – someone whose interest is for no one other than the child.”

Dick and Joan Hearn, relative new-comers to the program for about one year, have been involved with the same case for the same amount of time. “We have the time to give and are interested in the best for children,” Dick said.

Activists for countless “good deeds” in Watauga County, when asked to describe their “personal passion” among their many endeavors, Dick responded, “This comes as close as anything.”

While it is the goal of the program to see a successful resolution to each case in the shortest time- frame possible, some volunteers like Alex Popper have been involved with the same children for 10 years or more, and sometimes two or three times over. “I’ve practically been able to watch these kids grow up,” Popper said.
Having served for over 15 years, Popper admits that the role of a GAL volunteer is “often challenging,” but added, “When a case comes to a successful ending, it’s always worthwhile.”

Retired Avery County school teacher, principal and current school board member Phillip Shomaker has been a GAL volunteer for approximately five years, since retirement. Described by Lewis as “a great resource to us with his vast experience in the education system,” Shomaker simply said, “What I do, I do for the children. It’s all about them.”

Howard Davenport, a GAL volunteer in McDowell County for four years before relocating to Boone, now has 22 years of service and holds the record for the area’s longest serving GAL. He estimates having served more than 100 children during that time. “Some came back,” he added, having assisted in approximately 25-30 cases.

Guest speaker, Judge Bill Leavell, in attendance with wife Cyndi and children Moses, 8, and Miriam, 3, has seen the GAL program from various perspectives, from closely-associated attorney and judge to the more personal role of father of adopted children. Addressing the volunteers, he recalled, “Not so long ago during our first volunteer celebration, I was here with you, holding my new son in my arms,” referring to Moses, watching proudly from his seat in the audience.

“How blessed we all are to gather here – blessed for what we’re here for, as part of a team all working to do the best we can to save children from some horrible circumstances,” he said. “I appreciate the legwork you all do – and coming back to us with the information you gather that helps us make informed decisions. I am thankful to be here with you today. Juvenile work is not easy. We don’t always get the results we want, but we’re in there pitching and fighting for the children.”

After his public address, Leavell said his personal experience with the “system” was an emotional rollercoaster ride, the adoption of Moses contested through a three-and-a-half year court battle, “all the way to the Court of Appeals.” Miriam’s entry into their lives was “much easier,” as Cyndi was in the delivery room to welcome her when she was born. “In the Bible, their names represent brother and sister. That’s what they are,” Leavell said.

Jeff Farmer, an Ashe County native and now GAL district manager, “all the way from Murphy to Gastonia, including this area,” referred to the “internal satisfaction of knowing what you do makes a difference.”
A message of appreciation was also delivered from Sarah Parker, chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court.