Get To Know Our Volunteers

Volunteer Spotlight…Thad Toomer

We are pleased to announce the latest addition to our volunteer training team… Thad Toomer. Thad became a volunteer in 2007, and has already taken on several cases. He is currently working on a case with staff having 9 children, and another three on his own. Thad took the Training for Facilitators workshop in April, and we are thrilled to have his experience as a former teacher in our volunteer training. Thad is one of several fantastic Duplin County volunteers who have been taking cases in Sampson County to make up for a shortage in volunteers.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT ON – Elizabeth White & Carol Marshburn

We would like to recognize two of our volunteers for going above and beyond the call of duty. It is difficult, at times, to decide which volunteers to recognize since so many of our volunteers are deserving of recognition. Elizabeth White’s case, involving 6 young children, recently had a placement disruption involving five of her child clients. There was much frustration involved as she watched the relative placement dissolve, and at the last minute DSS scramble for foster care placements. In spite of that, Elizabeth was there for her child clients accompanying them to their new foster homes with their new social worker ensuring that the children had a familiar face, and that the homes were appropriate for the children. It was a very emotional event for the children and for Elizabeth, but as she stated “it was the right thing to do”. Carol Marshburn’s case finally made it to the adjudication hearing after seven months of investigation, pre-trial motions, motions to address placements and visitation, and many long hours stressing over the possible outcomes for her child client. Once the Judge heard the evidence, he came to the same conclusion that Carol had come to many months prior and the case was dismissed. Two very different cases with one thing in common, each with a very dedicated guardian ad litem volunteer who advocated for the best interest of their child clients. Thanks for all that you give to this program.

SPOTLIGHT ON ENOCH HASBERRY III

We offer the most sincere congratulations to Enoch Hasberry, III who is celebrating 10 years a Guardian ad Litem. Since joining the program in January, 1998 Enoch has advocated for 33 children in 16 cases.

Enoch is a veteran of 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and North Carolina Central University with bachelor’s and Master of Arts Degrees in Psychology. Enoch currently serves as a Correctional Program Director at Carteret Correctional Center in Newport, North Carolina.

Enoch’s hobbies are reading, running and volunteering.

Congratulations and Well Done, Mr. Hasberry!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT ON – VIRGINIA GRAHAM

Although Sara Graham has been a volunteer for a relatively short time- since January 2007- she has been a powerful voice in court for 10 children, eight of which she has already helped to achieve permanency. Sara has gone above and beyond to speak for these children, and she doesn’t hold back. When an issue about the children comes up, she makes sure it gets heard. Her strong contribution to our program is noticed in part because in Sampson County, where she lives, there are very few volunteers. Sara has carried an extra load to help out, and the children of Sampson County are protected because of her.

Golden Rule Awards for GAL Program and Featured Volunteer Laurie Baldridge

Doing the work of a Guardian ad Litem volunteer is not easy, and is not for everyone. These facts were impressed, once again, on those attending the annual Golden Rule Awards breakfast on April 24, 2007.

The Guardian ad Litem Program was selected for the second time in the past four years as the winner in the Outstanding Volunteer Group Category. The nomination read in part, “Being a Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocate is not the typical volunteer job, to which one can come, or not. One case can require a commitment up to a year, and often more. It is a commitment that can have an impact on the lives of children, indeed, whole families and communities that can last for years.”

Laurie Baldridge made it a clean sweep for the program by being selected as the Outstanding Volunteer in the Individual Adult Category. An excerpt of Laurie’s nomination reads, “In Laurie’s 11 continuous years as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, she has investigated, monitored, and closed 30 cases involving 60 children, totaling a minimum of 1,000 hours devoted to advocacy for abused and neglected children.”

Volunteer Award and Featured Volunteer

We are pleased and proud to announce that our very own Elizabeth Ann Barker was chosen the winner in the Onslow County Distinguished Women’s Volunteer Service Category. Ann in picture at far left in the blue dress. The following is extracted from her nomination:

Ms Barker is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Science in nursing. She retired from the United States Navy at the rank of captain (O6). She was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for valor during the Vietnam War.

She has served continuously as a GAL since 1997, advocating for 29 children in 12 cases. The District Administrator said of her, “ . . . She is without a doubt one of the most diligent and dedicated court appointed child advocates I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The devotion and diligence of this ‘champion for children’ serve as a testament and role model for others to follow.. . .”

Incidentally, Ann is the second GAL to win this award, following Laurie Baldridge in 2004.

Featured Volunteer - Jane Dempsey

Our own Jane Dempsey was selected for the North Carolina Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Ms. Dempsey received the award December 18, 2006 at the monthly Duplin County Commissioners meeting. Ms. Dempsey has been with the Fourth Judicial District GAL Program for going on 17 years. Her contribution to the children of Duplin and Sampson Counties is immeasurable. Like the saying goes, “Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed.” Jane has touched the lives of many children and it is impossible to know how many people each of them may affect for years to come. Congratulations Jane, this is well deserved.

Featured Volunteer - Julie Outlaw (no picture available)

From: Charlotte, NC

Current Residence: Mt. Olive, NC

Family:

Husband- Jennings Outlaw

Son- Daniel - 16 yrs

Daughter- Laura- 14 years

Employment: Bank of America, Senior Vice President, employed 20 years

Hobbies: Tennis and Reading

Why Guardian Ad Litem?: As a youth, I watched my parents take care of newborn foster children. One of the best memories I have of this is when my father was sleeping on the couch with a sleeping newborn lying on his chest. The baby moved up and down with my father's chest, in complete love, peace and security. This is why I became a GAL volunteer- to be the voice of a child who needs love, peace and security.

Featured Volunteer - Sue Rider (no picture available)

I grew up in Rochester NY. My husband, Jim is from West Seneca, NY. I taught school in the Rochester area before I was married and in Swansboro and Beaufort when our oldest child started college. After teaching a while, I resigned to get a school counseling degree, after which I became the school counselor at Swansboro Elementary School. At this time I became aware of the good work GAL was doing for children who needed an advocate, and decided that I would do that "when I grew up!"

So after I retired, I began helping with GAL. Jim is a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. We live on North Topsail Beach, and have been married 47 years. We are proud of our 7 children, and 15 grandchildren. We are committed to family, and have been very active as volunteers in the "Christian Family Living Experience" which is a family retreat program. We both feel very blessed to have had such good and loving families all our lives.

Featured Volunteer - Shauna Kirk

I am a city girl in the country, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, now residing in Duplin County, for which I have come to be very grateful for it's "back in time" feel. I have been married for 26 years to my "Knight in Shining Armour". I have two children who are married and I have two grandchildren. My entire family is the light of my life. My daughter and her husband are stationed in Japan, and my son and his family are stationed in Georgia.

I spent the first 5 years of my life in foster care with an absolute angel as my foster mother. I named my daughter after her daughter, so I would never forget that wonderful family. I left my foster family only to return home to an abusive mother in the middle of an abusive relationship. I didn't know my birth mother and didn't want to live with her, but no one would listen. So now, by being a Guardian ad Litem, I feel as if I am turning a terrible childhood into something good and at the same time... I am listening to the children who now are in the same situation that I was once in.

When I begin a case, it consumes me, but when I finish a case, I am released... knowing that a child was heard.

Featured Volunteer – Tabitha Ernst

Originally I am from western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh area - an avid Steelers fan of course! I moved to Jacksonville in 1997, and I’ve been enjoying the nearby beaches ever since. I currently live here with my fiancé, Tim, and small menagerie (I have the same soft spot for animals that I have for children…).

I’ve been with the GAL program since October 1997 – it was actually the first “job” I had after moving to this area. During an internship at the PA House of Representatives, one assignment was to create an original piece of legislation and present it to selected members of the House. One of my co-workers wrote her legislation to introduce the CASA program in PA. That was my first exposure to this type of program, and I learned a lot from her research and her legislation. So when I moved to Jacksonville and noticed the GAL ad in the paper, I was eager to become involved. The experience has been challenging, but very rewarding. I am proud to be associated with the Guardian ad Litem program. I hope to be able to contribute to this program for many years to come.

GAL Birthday’s & Anniversaries

The Staff of the Guardian ad Litem Program

Fourth Judicial District

Would Like To Thank Our Volunteers.

You Are an Inspiration to Us All.

Thank You!