Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
As the New Year brings fresh starts and renewed commitments, the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the S.C. Department of Children’s Advocacy, invites community members to make a meaningful resolution- become a volunteer Guardian ad
Litem (GAL) in Barnwell and Bamberg Counties.
This training provides volunteers with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to advocate for a child’s best interests in Family Court. Just as many people set intentions for growth, service, and positive change in the New Year, becoming a GAL offers a powerful—and achievable— way to turn those intentions into real impact.
Volunteer Guardians ad Litem ensure that children involved in Family Court legal proceedings through the Department of Social Services have a voice. GALs speak for children in court during times of instability, helping them find safety, stability, and hope for a brighter future.
“The New Year is a natural time to reflect on what matters most,” said Christy Vinson, Recruitment and Training Director of the SC GAL Program. “If your resolutions include giving back, finding purpose, or making a difference, becoming a GAL is a meaningful way to transform those resolutions into life-changing action for a child in need.”
Volunteer GAL Training:
• Date & Time: Begins January 6, 2026 — Morning and Evening Sessions
• Location: Virtual
• Registration Deadline: December 20, 2025
• Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, have a clean criminal record, no previous DSS case history, and be able to contribute four to five hours a month advocating for a child.
Visit gal.sc.gov for more information and to download an application.
Contact Richard Fowler, Regional Recruiter and Trainer for the GAL program, at (803) 645-9956 or Richard Fowler@childadvocate.sc.gov for more information.
