DILLON– September 23, 2025 – As the leaves change and the air grows crisp, the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, invites the community to “fall into action” by joining FREE ONLINE TRAINING to become a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Dillon County.
This training will equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to advocate for children’s best interests in the courtroom and throughout their journey in the Family Court system. Just as fall reminds us of harvest and preparation, this is the perfect season to step forward and help children grow in safe and nurturing environments.
Becoming a GAL volunteer means ensuring that children involved in Family Court legal proceedings through the Department of Social Services have someone to speak up for them. Volunteers stand beside children during some of the stormiest seasons of their lives, helping them find stability, safety, and hope.
“Fall is a season of change and reflection,” said Christy Vinson, Recruitment and Training Director of the SC GAL Program. “It’s also a season to remember that children facing uncertainty need strong advocates. By becoming a GAL, you can be the steady hand and guiding light that helps a child find their way to a safe, permanent home.”
Details of the Volunteer GAL Training:
Date & Time: Begins October 27, 2025, Morning and Evening Sessions offered
Location: Virtual Training
Registration Deadline: Application Deadline October 20, 2025
Requirements: Volunteers should be at least 21 years old, have a clean criminal record, no previous DSS case history, and be able to contribute four to five hours a month of your time for a child.
Visit gal.sc.gov for more information and to download an application. Follow @Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program on Facebook or contact communications@childadvocate.sc.gov to be added to the newsletter for updates and local events in your area.
Contact Brandi Johnson, Regional Recruiter and Trainer for the GAL program, at (843) 731-7622 or brandi.johnson@childadvocate.sc.gov for more information.
Together, we can help children weather life’s storms and look forward to brighter days ahead.
Fall Into Advocacy: Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Training Offers a Critical Opportunity to Help Children
