Volunteer program opens new office here

The Cherokee County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program has opened a new office in Cherokee County at 412 Wall St. The new location will be closer to the 17 GAL volunteers who work with abused children in Cherokee.

"Our volunteers are currently advocating for 75 children throughout this county. The new office will help us better serve both the children and the volunteers," said County Coordinator Kim Ellison.

Many people in Cherokee County are unaware of the Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program and their work with abused children.

The Cherokee County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem program provides child advocates for these children. Its goal is to help abused children find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

"Volunteers are a powerful voice on behalf of the child, in and out of the courtroom," Ellison said. "We work oneon one with a child to learn about their hopes and dreams."

Volunteers, male or female, who are over 21, of any education, background, ethnicity or race are needed. All that is necessary is the desire to work with children and the ability to donate four to six hours per month to the program.

Anyone who would like to volunteer may call Ellison at 487-0145 or visit the organization's web site at Cherokee.scgal.org for more information or to download an application.

The South Carolina Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program is a member of National CASA. (www.nationalcasa. org)