New Events

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following events were added to our calendar.

• Foster Fest
  Special Event
  Saturday, April 29, 2017

• Optima Refresher
  Continuing Education
  Tuesday, May 23, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Staff Directory and eForm Updates

Our staff directory on the Contact page and our Report to the Court eForm have been updated to reflect recent personnel changes.

Child Advocate Manager Zachary Lang has departed. We thank Zach for his service and wish him the best with his future endeavors.

In Print: Tallahassee Democrat

Two pieces about our program recently appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat. The articles are reproduced below.

Thank you to the Tallahassee Democrat for sharing our program with their readers.

Letter: Join volunteers to help protect children
by Deborah Moore

Tallahassee Democrat
Wednesday, April 26, 2017

April is National Child Abuse and Prevention month and National Volunteer Week is April 23-29. The Guardian ad Litem Program supports the national effort to raise awareness about child abuse and the impact a volunteer can make in our community. By working with volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Franklin and Liberty counties, we have a role in giving every child the best chance of a permanent caring and loving family.

As we observe these two national events, we hope readers will join the Guardian ad Litem Program as volunteers to protect children and strengthen families. For details, visit www.GAL2.org or call 1-850-606-1213.

Deborah Moore, Circuit Director, Guardian ad Litem Program, [email protected]

IMA Golf Driving Range Fundraiser
Special to the Chronicle

Tallahassee Democrat
Thursday, April 27, 2017

Recently locals gathered to hit some golf balls while helping the Guardian ad Litem Program. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Florida State University Student Chapter and Sundberg, P.A. held its second annual Golf Driving Range Fundraiser on April 2nd in support of the program. Participants contributed gift cards. The Guardian ad Litem Program is a volunteer based program that advocates for abused and neglected children. IMA collected $450 worth of gift cards, including cards from Chick-Fil-A, Subway and AMC.

"Our volunteers appreciate the opportunity to use a gift card to take their Guardian ad Litem child out for a special treat and spend quality time together," said Guardian ad Litem Circuit Director Deborah Moore.

Partner organization Child Advocates II, Inc. (CAII) is hosting a fundraiser benefiting our program in time for outdoor barbecuing season.

The third annual CAII Great Southern BBQ Fundraiser is a delicious way to join CAII on its mission to provide for the needs of local abused and neglected children. CAII is the charitable, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit volunteer organization founded to support our program.

For this fundraiser, CAII partnered with Johnston's Meat Market to offer their slowly cooked, hickory smoked meats. Originally founded in 1926, Johnston's Meat Market of Monticello, Florida offers shoulder cut smoked meats, country cooking spices, syrups and sauces.

Participating in the fundraiser is easy.

   ❶   Place an order for Boston butt, picnic ham, sausage, ribs or bacon by Friday, May 19, 2017

   ❷   Pickup your order on Friday, May 26, 2017

   ❸   Enjoy tender, farm fresh pork with your family and friends while helping local children

You can place your order online or order by telephone. Visit the event page for complete details and contact information.

Perfect for your spring or summer cookout, the CAII Great Southern BBQ Fundraiser is an easy way to make a difference in the life of a child and let someone else do some of the cooking.

Please browse the menu and place your orders today. Thank you for your support!

New Events

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following events were added to our calendar.

• Fostering Futures
  Continuing Education
  Wednesday, April 26, 2017

• Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Reception
  Special Event
  Thursday, May 18, 2017

• CAII Great Southern BBQ Fundraiser
  Fundraising
  Order by Friday, May 19, 2017
  Pickup on Friday, May 26, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Event Update

The sixth day of our Volunteer Training: May 2017 pre-service class has been rescheduled. It will now take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, one day earlier than originally scheduled. The event page, calendar and print flyer have been updated accordingly.

The air around Cascades Park in Tallahassee was a little sweeter last weekend as wonderful people donned chef hats to bake goods in support of local children.

On Saturday, March 25, 2017, Child Advocates II, Inc. (CAII) hosted the fourth annual CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids fundraiser at the Florida Department of Transportation auditorium.

With proceeds benefiting the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program, CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly competition for amateur and professional bakers and an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the goods.

view CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids 2017 photographs on Facebook

CAII volunteers first arrived in the morning to receive and set up the contestant entries. Two competition judges then went to work sampling each of the cupcakes and cookies. Finally, guests were able to visit for two hours, walk around to see all of the entries and use tasting cards to purchase items.

This year's event raised over $2,600 for our program!

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids would not have been possible without the support of the community and the guests who came to sample the treats. Special thanks to all of our participants, winning contestants, sponsors, donors, judges, volunteers and guests.