Nonprofit Spotlight: Guardian ad Litem

Guardian ad Litem is a nonprofit organization that advocates for dependent children in the state of Florida.

For this week's nonprofit spotlight, Patch talked to Yvonne Marrone, volunteer recruiter and community outreach coordinator for the organization at 700 East Twiggs Street, Suite 750 in Tampa, about what its volunteers do and how the community can get involved.

Patch: What is the goal or mission of Guardian Ad Litem?

Marrone: The Guardian ad Litem Program is able to represent thousands of children with the help of volunteers. Program volunteers donate countless hours to the children they represent.  The unique perspectives of volunteers, and their often creative solutions, are highly valued by the dependency court judges.

Patch: What is your role at the organization, and how did you get involved?

Marrone: Initially, I began volunteering with the program in February of 2008 By October of 2008, I had accepted a position as the volunteer recruiter, which was funded by a grant that had been awarded to Voices for children, and in July of 2009, I became an employee of the program.  My goal is to recruit volunteers who will advocate for the more than 1,000 children who still need a Guardian ad Litem in Hillsborough County, and also to raise community awareness about the program.

Patch: What does this organization do that differs from other nonprofits?

Marrone: The Guardian ad Litem Program is funded through the state. However, there are budget shortfalls, and that is where Voices for Children of Tampa Bay steps in to make things happen.  The sole mission of Voices for Children of Tampa Bay is to provide funding and advocacy to the Guardian ad Litem Program of Hillsborough County.  The Guardian ad Litem Program of Hillsborough County relies solely on Voices for Children of Tampa Bay to bridge the gap so that one day, no child will be without someone to speak up for them.

Patch: Why is the organization important for communities such as Carrollwood and Northdale?

Marrone: Our Program provides services throughout Hillsborough County, and there are no communities that haven’t been impacted by child abuse.  In our county alone, there are over 2,500 children in the dependency court system, and there are currently over 1,000 children who don't have a GAL to represent their best interest.  It only takes between 12 and 15 hours per month to volunteer and “Be the Voice” for a child.

Patch: How can people get involved if they want to donate or volunteer?

Marrone: Complete an application on our website at www.guardianadlitem.org,  call Yvonne Marrone at 813-307-3325 or email Yvonne.Marrone@gal.fl.gov.  Our next training will begin on September 7, and applications will be accepted through August 22.