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| Press Releases |
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| Jul 26, 2010 | Give Back Night at Chili's!! |
On August 11, 2010 Chili's in Port St Lucie is hosting Guardian ad Litem (GAL) night. Bring the attached flyer and Chili's will donate 10% the sales you bring in to the GAL program. 4 pm 11 pm
Chili's of St Lucie West
2050 NW Courtyard Circle
PSL FL 34886
Chili's Flyer.pdf 
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| Jul 8, 2010 | Kits 4 Kids!!!!!! |
Guardians for New Futures hosts its second annual school supply drive
GRS, a member of the Treasure Coast community. This story is neither endorsed by nor affiliated with this site.
Originally published 02:57 p.m., July 8, 2010
Updated 02:57 p.m., July 8, 2010
Kits4Kids
$20.00 can provide back to school supplies to the less fortunate children in our community. These kits not only give children good quality, contemporary supplies, it also gives them confidence and pride. There are hundreds of children in our community who are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment, served by the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program. They may be living in foster care or staying with relatives who have agreed to take them in. Many of these children don’t know what it’s like to start school even with the basics - they have absolutely nothing. No new notebook to take notes in. No back pack, No loose leaf paper. No pencils or pens.
For children whose life is in turmoil does it really make sense to have them start classes’ one step behind everyone else? It’s a real problem, academically and emotionally, when students simply don’t even have the basic supplies to start their year. If we cannot provide the children in our community with the fundamental tools to complete their educations, then truly, we are disabling them. We are almost asking them to fall behind.
New school supplies are very exciting for students. Clean, fresh notebooks, markers and crayons all help get kids excited about school and eager to learn. It is so important that every single child is on equal footing the first day of school. This is why Guardians for New Futures (Gfnf) vows to provide children supported by the GAL program with good quality school supplies. For so many children, school may be their only hope, a place where they have friends, teachers and can feel good about their accomplishments. School can be a beacon of light for many underprivileged children; it provides them with support and gives them the tools they need to reach their individual potential.
Please visit our website or donate with a check by mail. If you can afford just one kit, you will know you gave a needy child a reason to smile on the first day of school and helped that child feel energized about the upcoming school year.
Last year Gfnf provided kits close to 500 children in the Treasure Coast; donations are accepted in ANY amount. Donate through our website using pay pal: http://www.gfnf4kids.org
Or send a check or money order to
Guardians for New Futures
584 NW University Blvd,
Port St Lucie, Florida 34952
772.785.5804
If you have questions, or would like to host a drive at your work or place of worship, contact grossi@gfnf4kids.org for an order form.
Kits for Kids M and C.jpg 
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| May 11, 2010 | View endorsement video from Governor Charlie Crist |
Governor Charlie Crist applauds the work of the Guardian Ad Litem program for improving the lives of children and families involved in dependency court. Governor Crist thanks GAL for 30 years of success and their continued efforts of raising their voices for our children.
GAL day2010 Crist.wmv
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| Apr 2, 2010 | View endorsement video from John Walsh |
John Walsh from America's Most Wanted shows his support for the efforts of Guardians for New Futures and St. Edwards student Colby Lufkin. Together, they have raised awareness of the children in dependency court on the Treasure Coast.
AMW.wmv
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| Mar 18, 2010 | View endorsement video of Jay Corbin from ESPN |
Jay Corbin from ESPN thanking Colby Lufkin, who is a student at St. Edwards, for organizing the St. Edwards Youth Advisory Committee to promote the Guardian Ad Litem program on the Treasure Coast. The committee helped facilitate 800 children with Christmas gifts this year!
Corbin.wmv
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| Feb 23, 2010 | Olympian Winners- GAL |
ST. LUCIE WEST -- American's, like many around the world, find themselves glued to their TV's this winter for the amazing Winter Olympics Games. In the name of this competition we turn our attention toward these amazing feats of downhill skiing, ice skating and snowboarding. When we see these athletes of such tremendous strength and dedication, we are enthralled, and as American's, totally invested in their win, most likely because most of us regular folk cannot even imagine what it took them to get where they are. Behind every one of them, it always seems waiting in the wings, teary eyed and smiling, is their best advocate cheering them on.
You've seen them; the camera always makes a point to showcase this advocate. The athletes' personal hero draped in their country's flag and a big knit hat, it's usually a parent or trainer ready to meet the athlete with a consolatory hug, or run, slamming through the crowd, pushing over the reporters with open arms, just to be the first to embrace them. Each Olympian has their own private champion, supporting them relentlessly, through what we can only imagine must be a long and arduous journey. When we look back on the tough journeys in our lives, isn't it always the people who supported us and pulled us through that we remember the most? Imprinted on our memories are those words of encouragement from a teacher, heartfelt hugs from friends, and the undying, fervent love of our parents and families that tell us, no matter what we score, no matter where we stand, no matter gold or no gold, they will always be there, waiting anxiously in our corner, to pat us on the back, to support us.
When we recognize how blessed we are to have these supports in our lives, those who don't have anyone always spring to mind. An athlete with no personal hero or advocate, no one to share in that victory or loss, would be a sad picture. On the Treasure Coast, hundreds of children who are victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment, find themselves involved in judicial proceedings. This road is a long and strenuous legal battle, and caught in the middle, one small and frightened child is watching, awaiting the outcome of their fate, with no one in their corner they can turn to, no parent or friend they can look back on for that last smile or wink before they set off from a shaky past into an unknown future.
The Guardians For New Futures and Guardian ad Litem program have a goal and a happier picture. A picture where every single one of the children in the system on the Treasure Coast has that personal hero, someone waiting at the ready to be there for this child come what may. To provide them that needed assurance of no matter what happens, win or lose, stand or fall, someone will be there waiting and listening, someone who won't stop supporting them until they are safe and secure. In our picture, a small monthly time commitment to a child can make a volunteer that secret champion, one who inspires and enables a needy child to heights they never imagined. No, there may be no ticker tape parade, no gold medal glinting and national anthem blaring, but all can certainly agree, to make a difference in the life of just one child who needs an advocate is truly more precious than any bronze, silver or gold.
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| Feb 2, 2010 | Judge Levin Welcomes Advocates |
Chief Judge Steven Levin swore in the latest group of newly Certified Guardians ad Litem (GAL) volunteers Feb. 1. The swearing-in ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at the Saint Lucie County Annex Courthouse located at 250 N.W. Country Club Diver, Port Saint Lucie. Chief Judge Levin welcomed the newly Certified GALs and said, "The Guardian Ad Litem is a crucial and hopefully not an underappreciated party in the dependency system. These volunteers give their time and energy to speak for the ones who cannot voice an opinion before the court, the children who have been allegedly neglected, abused or abandoned. It was a pleasure and an honor to be permitted to swear in approximately 35 Guardian Ad Litem individuals from Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties during the morning of Feb. 1. These dedicated individuals will be responsible for preserving and increasing the quality of lives of hundreds of children throughout the Treasure Coast in the next few years. I appreciate being part of the process".
A reception followed the ceremony at the 19th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program office located at 584 N.W. University Blvd, Port Saint Lucie. The addition of the newly certified Guardians into the Program was greeted with excitement, as it is anticipated they will be assigned to 70 of the more than four hundred children who are without a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem and therefore, voiceless in court.
GALs are appointed by Circuit Court Judges to serve as advocates for children who have been removed from their homes because of alleged abuse, abandonment or neglect. Guardian ad Litem volunteers, and the attorneys working with them, make sure victims of child abuse and neglect are protected and have a safe place to live and the necessary services to overcome their circumstances. Children range in age from infants to high-school students.
1,254 abused and neglected children reside in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties. Due to limited resources, only 825 of these children are assigned a volunteer.
To join the 35 volunteers determined to make a difference in this community, contact Pattra Farthing-Dodd, M.S.W., Recruiter/Trainer, at (772) 871-7225 or Pattra.dodd@gal.fl.gov or visit our website at www.Guardianadlitem.org for an application and more information.
Volunteers must complete a course of training consisting of four day-long classes and six hours of courtroom observation. Volunteers must be 19 years of age or older.
The GAL Program holds training monthly at their Saint Lucie West Office.
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| Jan 20, 2010 | Guardian Riders on the Move |
PORT ST. LUCIE - Motorcycle Group "Guardian Riders" Will be on the road traveling to the Starbucks and Guardian ad Litem Program's Recruitment Coffee on Jan. 30.
The 19th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program's volunteer motorcycle group the "Guardian Riders" will be at the Starbucks Recruitment Coffee on Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. The Starbucks Coffee located at Britt Road and U.S. 1 will be hosting the recruitment coffees to assist the Riders with recruitment of new volunteers. With every new volunteer recruited, one more abused and neglected child will have someone speaking on his or her behalf in the court system.
A Guardian ad Litem focuses exclusively on the child. Guardians ad Litem conduct an independent investigation and make recommendations about what is in a child's best interests. They visit the children regularly; and advocate for services that the child may need while they are involved in the court system. Most importantly, the Guardians ad Litem advocate for permanency; a place the children can call home. Guardian ad Litem volunteers work with community partners and judiciary and are recognized as the eyes and ears of the court system and the voice of the children they represent.
The volunteer riders will be handing out brochures and signing up anyone interested in volunteering and attending free volunteer training sessions in February and March. Volunteers must be at least 19 years of age and undergo a background check.
Stop by meet a Guardian Rider, enjoy a free cup of coffee and you too can make a difference in the life of a child this year!
For more information contact Pattra Dodd at (772) 871-7225 or visit www.guardianadlitem.org.
Florida's Guardian ad Litem Program is a network of professional staff and community volunteers who serve as advocates for neglected and abused children in the court system.
There are local Guardian ad Litem programs in all 20 of Florida's judicial circuits. Guardian ad Litem volunteers and the attorneys working with them, make sure victims of child abuse and neglect are protected and have a safe place to live and the necessary services to overcome their circumstances.
For additional information, contact Pattra Farthing-Dodd at (772) 871-7225, or visit www.GuardianadLitem.org.
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| Jan 11, 2010 | New Years Resolutions |
PORT ST. LUCIE -- It is an ancient tradition to set a resolution at the start of the year and although the New Year is celebrated at various times by people of many different creeds and nationalities, one thing remains constant. Each year we resolve to do at least one thing better.
We reach down deep within ourselves and we resolve to start over. To do something that is going to change our life and make it better. Therefore, we buy exercise equipment and cut out the snacks. We try to stop using bad language and vow no matter what, to get organized and keep the house clean.
We throw the cigarettes and chocolate away and cut up credit cards. We go to church, and buy recyclable grocery bags all in the name of trying to do better and be better; then we want to make a difference.
Still, even with the best intentions, these resolutions end up feeling like sacrifices and we simply do not follow through and sometimes, by February we have forgotten about our good thought and intentions. The closet is a wreck, the treadmill is already getting dusty and we say "This year I am going to give back to my community" but we have not taken any action steps to do so.
The Guardian ad Litem program in St Lucie County wants give the Treasure Coast residents an opportunity to take that first and paramount step. The GAL program is a unique collaborative effort between community volunteers and professional staff who unite in order to advocate for the best interest of children in judicial proceedings. These children have been removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment or neglect. They are alone, fearful and often displaced and confused.
A Guardian ad Litem is a volunteer who becomes the voice for a child and offers support and hope where before there has only been fear. GAL volunteers advocate for the best interest of a child. Professional training is provided free. For more details call (772) 785-5800 or visit www.gfnf4kids.org
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| Dec 14, 2009 | Angels We Have Heard |
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| Nov 1, 2009 | Guardian ad Litem Angels Holiday Gift Drive |
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