Elizabeth Strout and the Guardian ad Litem program

First, a head's up on an interesting night out: this Thursday, April 2, author Elizabeth Strout will read from her works in the Sykes Auditorium on the Queens University campus at 7 p.m. It is free and all are welcome. Strout's latest work is her short-story collection Olive Kittredge, nominated for the National Book Critics Circle award. You may also know her 1998 novel Amy and Isabelle, about a mother and daughter in a New England mill town. Click here to get to the Queens University site with all the information.

Second, I caught a piece in Sunday's Charlotte Observer that I wanted to draw your attention to (click here for the article). The Mecklenburg County Guardian ad Litem program is looking for more volunteers. What, you may ask, is a Guardian ad Litem? He or she is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children. Their mission is "to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in the state court system and work towards a plan that ensures that these children are in a safe, permanent home."

Currently, there are 221 volunteers who oversee 888 children. According to the Observer article, 319 children badly need advocates. The four main jobs of the guardians are:
1. Investigate the case, interviewing teachers, doctors, social workers, the parents and children.
2. Monitor the progress of the case, making sure all orders are followed. They also routinely visit the child.
3. Advocate for the child, writing a report for the judge and appearing in court.
4. Express the child's wishes.

Obviously, this is not an easy, resume-building volunteer job. It is hard work, and you have to have a passion for it. On the other hand, imagine the impact your participation has on the life of the children involved. I recommend visiting the Guardian ad Litem Charlotte web page to learn more (click here).

To do: Be inspired by a great writer. Inspire a child.