NC Guardian ad Litem District 8

09/04/2026

One of our very own Child Advocates, Cheryl, continuing to help those in our community! We are so proud of you Cheryl! Continue shining your light ✨

Down East Partnership for Children would like to welcome our new board members, who recently attended a new-member orientation. Pictured are Kenneth Arrington, Angela Freeman, Patricia Whitaker, Cheryl Yarrell, Kelly Spivey, Kateisha Jones, and Graham Oberland.

08/27/2026

We have been busy around District #8 over the past few months and we have some exciting news!! ✨

Please help us welcome our 4 new volunteers who were sworn in today in Nash County by The Honorable Joseph E. Brown, alongside Program Supervisor, Jenna King and Attorney Advocate, Kelly Shore.

If you feel led to make a positive impact in a child’s life, our staff are available to answer any questions you have.

Welcome Lillie, Latoya, Tiffany, and Ciara. 🎉 Thank you for choosing to serve the children in Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties.

🔗 www.volunteerforgal.org

08/08/2026

One of the hardest things I’ve ever witnessed in foster care is a child running into the arms of the parent they were removed from.

Because sometimes we forget this part.

A child can be unsafe with someone and still love them with their whole heart.

I’ve watched children count down the days until a visit.

I’ve watched them pick out exactly what they wanted to wear.

I’ve heard them ask a hundred times, “Are we going to see Mommy today?”

And then the door opens.

They see their parent.

And they RUN.

No hesitation.

No anger.

Just love.

And if you’ve never stood there and watched that moment, I don’t know if I can explain what it does to your heart.

Because I know why the child is in my home.

I know why there are supervised visits.

I know there are adults whose job it is to decide what is safe.

But I also know that little child doesn’t understand court orders, case plans, allegations, timelines, or permanency.

They just know that’s Mommy.

That’s Daddy.

That’s their person.

And then the visit ends.

Sometimes the same child who ran through that door excited is carried back out screaming.

Sometimes they cry the whole ride home.

Sometimes they’re angry at me.

Sometimes behaviors explode for the next two days because their little body is trying to process something they don’t have words for.

And I’m the one buckling them back into the car, wishing love alone could make adults safe.

But sometimes it can’t.

That is one of the hardest truths in foster care.

A child can desperately love a parent and still need protection from them.

A parent can desperately love their child and still not be able to safely parent them right now.

And a foster parent can advocate fiercely for a child’s safety while still praying with everything in them that their family heals.

Those truths do not cancel each other out.

Foster care would be much easier to talk about if there were always a good side and a bad side.

But there usually isn’t.

There are broken people.

There are hurting families.

And right in the middle of all of it are children who never asked to carry any of this.

So yes, protect children fiercely.

But never mistake a child needing protection for a child no longer loving their parent.

Sometimes the person they need protection from is still the person they cry for when the visit is over.

And that is the heartbreak of foster care that statistics will never be able to explain.

06/23/2026

Advocating for children can come in many different forms. Sometimes it’s talking with a child client about their wishes, feelings and emotions. Sometimes it’s sitting in a room, filled with quietness as the child just can’t fathom the thought of expressing themselves. And then there’s times where a child is able to put their thoughts on paper to be handed to a Judge.

If you feel led to advocate for a child facing extreme difficulties in their family, who just needs someone to be there to listen and be their voice when they don’t feel they have one, please consider volunteering with our program.

🔗 www.volunteerforgal.org

06/20/2026

Please help us welcome our newest GAL advocate, Charity J. Charity comes to our program eager to learn, make a difference in a child’s life and advocate for their best interest.

Charity was sworn in by The Honorable Wayne S. Boyette, Chief District Court Judge, in Nash County on Thursday, June 18, 2026, alongside Program Supervisor, Jenna King, and Attorney Advocate, Kelly Shore.

Welcome aboard Charity!

04/28/2026

Little Voices Matter: GAL Child Advocate Month

April is more than just blooming flowers 💐 and spring sunshine ☀️. It’s a month dedicated to something truly important: the safety, well-being, and future of North Carolina’s children.

If you've ever met someone from our Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program, you already know they're a special kind of superhero. No capes but plenty of heart, patience, and determination. GAL volunteers step into complex situations and stand beside children navigating the court system, making sure their needs and best interests don't get lost in the shuffle. They listen, they advocate, and sometimes they bring a sense of stability that can mean everything to a child facing uncertainty.

April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month, adding another layer to this message. It's more than awareness. It's about community and a reminder that protecting children is a shared responsibility.

Chief Justice Paul Newby has proclaimed April 2026 as Guardian ad Litem Child Advocate Month. This proclamation recognizes the more than 3,000 GAL volunteers across the state who work every day to improve the lives of children and youth.

🔗 www.volunteerforgal.org

04/15/2026

Monday, April 13, 2026, was truly a special night for these seven volunteers who were sworn in to be a child’s voice in court. This class stuck together through 30 hours of training, beginning to end, never once giving up! 💐

The Honorable Clerk of Superior Court of Edgecombe County, Carol Allen White, delivered the opening remarks. The Honorable Judge Tia H. Taylor delivered the oath. Our very own attorney advocate, Kelly Shore, pinned the volunteers.

“The one word I have is HOPE!!! Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see!!! Your Guardian Ad Litem program is your LIGHT TO MANY which includes me 😊!!!” -Honorable Carol Allen White

"I am excited for the seven individuals who have committed to serving our state and District 8 in the role as Guardian ad Litem. These volunteers are stepping into a role that is both an honor and a responsibility. Their work helps the Court make informed decisions that serves the best interests of each child. Their commitment is what makes the program so powerful.” -Honorable Judge Tia H. Taylor

🔗 www.volunteerforgal.org

04/02/2026

04/01/2026

Congratulations to Lisa C. for advocating for a child to achieve permanence on 03/27/2026 in Wilson County. This child found their forever home through adoption and Lisa has been there every step of the way!

04/01/2026