Guardian ad Litems set Forgotten Children program

CRESTVIEW — The Guardian ad Litem Program, which aims to represent victims of child abuse, neglect and abandonment in the court system, will hold its annual "Forgotten Children" memorial.

The event — 2:30 p.m. April 30 at Twin Hills Park, 100 Hathaway St. N., Crestview — raises awareness of the need for Guardian Ad Litem volunteers. Attendees will throw flowers into the water as a symbolic demonstration of local children still waiting for a guardian volunteer. The program includes the Crestview High School ROTC and children from other local schools performing various pieces.

The Guardian ad Litem program is an organization whose volunteers act as advocates in the court system for about 1,700 abused, abandoned and neglected children in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The Guardian ad Litem Volunteer is part of a team that includes a case coordinator and a program attorney, all working together to assess and address the best interests of the children represented. Volunteers develop relationships with children who often have had no stable adult in their life, showing these children that someone truly cares about them.

Call 689-5060 and ask for Carita Smith, or visit www.guardianadlitem.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Guardian ad Litems set Forgotten Children program