GIVERS

ADVOCATES for OTHERS by HAMPTON WILLIAMS HOFER

Each year, more than 18,000 children in North Carolina attend family court hearings regarding their own abuse or neglect. Thanks to the Guardian ad Litem Program, these children sit at the table next to an adult whose only role in that courtroom is to serve as their advocate. For 35 years, the Guardian ad Litem program in North Carolina has provided trained community volunteers who are appointed by the court to represent abused and neglected children, and to work toward getting those children into safe, forever homes. “Children are less likely to return to foster care, and are more likely to graduate from school and achieve permanency when they have that one constant person supporting them through this journey,” says Christina Harrison, NC GAL's Assistant Administrator. Guardians ad Litem (meaning “guardsome of their communities’ most vulnerable children. In North Carolina, these volunteers are 5,300 strong. GALs are supervised by specialists, and partner with attorney advocates who protect the legal rights of clients. These volunteers save the state around $11 million annually, but the program’s positive impact extends far beyond frugality: It’s a chance for community members to activate real change by empowering a child in need. “The children know I’m not paid, that I’m doing this only because I care about them. They can tell me anything, and I will be their voice,” says Sally White, who has spent a decade as a GAL in Raleigh. Like Wake County’s other 500 volunteers, White underwent an interview process, several weeks of training, and was sworn in before a judge. When a petition of abuse or neglect is filed by the Department of Social Services,

ians for the case”) provide that consistent support. The state’s GALs come from all different cultures, backgrounds, and professions, with no experience necessary, and are united by a desire to be a voice for

a GAL is assigned the case and commits to serving on it until permanence is achieved for the child, which usually takes at least a year. Throughout that year, GAL volunteers meet with their assigned children regularly. They aren’t allowed to buy them gifts or transport them, but they can listen—some say the children call or text them frequently. GALs also monitor the case, conduct interviews, read reports, and dig for details. Sometimes the case specifics are difficult to digest. “You can’t let your feelings get in the way,” White says, “Even if the details of a report keep you up at night. You have to have an objective eye.” One GAL volunteer says that through advocating for abused children, he’s learned open-mindedness and forgiveness toward parents whose actions landed their children in foster care. Other volunteers are so astounded by the resilience of children, so inspired by it, that they keep taking on more cases, assured that each child has a purpose, a right to a happy childhood. Christina Harrison started out as a GAL volunteer herself, in her first case helping to remove a young boy from an abusive home. His story affected Harrison so profoundly that she ended up serving 32 children in the next four years, and she eventually joined the full-time staff. It’s now been eighteen years and “every story of children returning home or receiving a forever family is cemented in my memory,” she says. This work doesn’t just benefit the children, but everyone who helps them find their forever homes. Harrison recalls one GAL volunteer who served relentlessly while facing her own serious battle with cancer. That GAL attended every child visit, every hearing, tirelessly advocating for the children she represented, while doing her best to hide the outward impacts of her cancer treatment. She stood next to her children at their final adoption ceremonies. “The joy of knowing that we have over 5,000 unselfish community citizens standing up and being a voice for a child is the daily fuel I use to do this work,” says Harrison. During their time on a case, GALs

“Every story of children returning home or receiving a forever family is cemented in my memory.”

formulate fact-based reports with recommendations, and when it’s time for court, they present their written reports to the judge. Sometimes, that recommendation is back with a parent; sometimes it isn’t. In court, the GAL sits at a table with the child and a lawyer; at an adjacent table sits the parent or legal guardian of the child, the alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect. Things can get impassioned, even confrontational. But many parents are grateful for the GAL program, comforted by knowing that when their children aren’t with them, there is someone out there working only for the good of their child. GALs earn the respect of parents, too, simply by being volunteers, by having no incentive other than that they care. The GAL model is a win-win for everyone: the state saves money, the GALs are fulfilled, and most importantly, the children feel cared for and heard. It’s a program where everything centers around the work of the community volunteer, because the child advocate is instrumental in assuring that each child finds a stable, loving home environment. Confidentiality is at the root of what the GAL program does, and the volunteers must handle stories of child abuse that are burdensome. They have to step out of their comfort zones in order to step up for a child who has been hurt, and there is not always joy in the process, but the results more than compensate: “This work is so rewarding,” says White, “There is no feeling like knowing a child has found a safe, permanent home. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” Naeime Livingston, the District Administrator for Wake County’s GAL Program in Judicial District 10, who has been with GAL for twenty-four years, says the core strength of the program is that the volunteer advocate is the one person in the courtroom who is speaking only on behalf of the child’s best interest. After having spent months with these children, learning their sides of the story, GALs don’t just make their own personal recommendations to the judges, but they incorporate the child’s wishes, too. “They play an important role in helping the children feel empowered, knowing that their voices matter. And that,” Livingston says, “is a life-changing experience for a child who has never been heard before.”

WALTER events

Guests dine in CAM’s main gallery.

APPETITE for ART

WALTER celebrated Raleigh’s art and culinary community October 18 at CAM. Chefs from Brewery Bhavana, Garland, and Heirloom cultivated a three-course meal in CAM’s main gallery. Guests enjoyed wine pairings from Wine Authorities as well as beer from Brewery Bhavana. Throughout the evening, CAM’s newest exhibit Above the Rim was on display, which merges modern art and community through basketball. Guests dined on a chilled noodle salad, pork belly, and fried rice in the midst of a basketball court, and heard from the chefs on their inspiration, as well as the importance of community and food in the Triangle. The evening would not have been possible without the support of CAM, as well as sponsors Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and Renewal by Andersen.

Clockwise: Cheetie Kumar of Garland; Craig Heffley of Wine Authorities poured wine tasting during the VIP hour; VIP guests enjoyed passed bites and drink tastings; Ward Warren, Emily Warren, Kelly Crisp, Sam Crisp; Vansana Nolintha of Brewery Bhavana serves beer during VIP hour; Kelly Scuotto, Nancy Kessinger, Jodie McClement

WALTER events

AWILD TIME

Guests gathered at Milburnie Fishing Club for WALTER’s third annual Tales from the Wild event. This year’s event featured outdoor demonstrations like fly fishing, oyster shucking, and openflame cooking. Milburnie provided a delicious dinner of pulled pork, barbeque chicken, and their famous hushpuppies, and Locals Seafood shucked N.C. oysters for guests. Local band The Chatham Rabbits set the scene with live music amongst Trophy Brewing, Raleigh Brewing, and TOPO Spirits. Special thanks to our partners Backcountry Hunters & Anglers as well as Triangle Land Conservancy. The evening filled with nature, food, and fellowship would not be possible without our presenting sponsor Great Outdoor Provision Co. as well as supporting sponsor Johnson Subaru of Cary. —Catherine Currin

Lin Peterson, Eddie Nickens, Chuck Millsaps Guests enjoy dinner from Milburnie Fishing Club

Casey Therrien, Christine Wilson Fly fishing demonstration with Scott Wood provided by Great Outdoor Provision Co. Luke Weingarten of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers demonstrates cooking on an open fire

Milburnie Fishing Club in Raleigh, N.C.

Axe demonstration with Craig Roost ‘Rooster’ from Council Tools Husband and wife duo, The Chatham Rabbits (Austin and Sarah McCombie) Oysters and smoked fish dip from Locals Seafood

WALTER events

A day with VIVIAN HOWARD

WALTER readers travelled to Kinston, North Carolina, for an eventful day with North Carolina native and A Chef’s Life star, Vivian Howard. The day began with a private brunch at The Boiler Room Oyster Bar, followed by tours and tastings at Mother Earth Brewing and Social House Vodka. Guests then enjoyed a meet and great with Howard as they enjoyed her famous ‘Party Magnet’ cheese ball and other bites. The day concluded with a four-course meal with Howard in The Chef & the Farmer’s private dining space. Howard shared stories with the guests and signed cookbooks. The day would not be possible without WALTER presenting sponsor Great Outdoor Provision Co., as well as supporting sponsors Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and River Dunes. —Catherine Currin

Opposite page: Vivian Howard signs cookbooks at The Chef & the Farmer; this page, clockwise from top: Guests enjoy brunch at The Boiler Room; Oysters served at The Boiler Room; Guests tour Mother Earth Brewing; Pimento Cheese and Sausage Dip; Guests tour and taste at Social House Vodka; Chef Vivian Howard meets and greets with WALTER guests

Clockwise from top: Mother Earth Brewing; Vivian Howard with Ed and Hannah Mitchell of River Dunes; The Chef & the Farmer private dining room; guests enjoy a four-course dinner; braised pork and dirty farro

Opposite page: Guests enjoy dinner in the private room at The Chef & the Farmer

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