by Norma Adams 
(Norma Adams is a member of Humanists of Minnesota.)
Becoming a Guardian ad Litem for Juvenile Court in Hennepin County was one of the best decisions I made after retiring. I thought this type of volunteering was a way to do something productive with my time. However, it has turned out to be so much more.
Here is the official explanation for what a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is: A GAL is a trained volunteer that advocates for abused and neglected children to ensure that their needs do not go unheard. Different from a legal guardian, Guardians ad Litem have no control over the person or property of the child and do not provide a home for the child. The Guardian ad Litem does not function as the child’s attorney and does not provide direct services to the child.
The term “ad litem” means “for the suit” or “for the court case”. It is an old concept –in the Anglo Saxon times, at common law, the king appointed a guardian ad litem to speak on behalf of the child or incompetent person. Today judges appoint community volunteers who have been trained as a GAL to advocate for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in a safe, permanent home. continue reading…
