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  Full-time workers moonlight as child advocates web posted March 12, 2013 COUNTY – Charles and Dana Ballew are substitute teachers with a passion for children. With two children at home and one in college, the Ballews’ backyard sometimes looks more like the neighborhood park than a residence. “We just love kids,” Dana said. “And when I saw an ad for guardian ad litem in the paper, I thought ‘Why not volunteer? Why not do something in the community?’” With full-time jobs, children and other activities, the Ballews’ squeezed together some time and started the training class together in 2009. “Before we started the class, a lot of people thought you had to have some big fancy degree,” Charles said. “But you don’t. You just have to care.” The couple says after working in the classroom you can tell which children don’t have a good home life, and volunteering allows them to help more than they can at school. “As a guardian you’re able to look at the big picture,” Dana said. “You can’t change the past, but you can help them accomplish what they need for the future.” As a volunteer child advocates, the Ballews’ work with children involved in DSS family court cases. He meets regularly with the kids, as well as with the parents, teachers, doctors and social workers to get information about the best resolution of the case. Volunteers spend an average of 5 hours each month working on a case, but the Ballews’ say small gestures are enough to make a huge difference in a child’s life. “One kid had an event at school and neither of his parents showed up,” Charles said. “He was sad. The other kids had their parents there. But as soon as he saw me he grabbed my hand and we took off down the hall. He introduced me to his classmates, his teachers - it put a big smile on his face.” Be the person that says “I am for the child.™” Anyone can stand up for a child by volunteering as a child advocate. Visit Edgefield.scgal.org or call 637-9614. The next class begins soon. The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program is a division of the S.C. Governor's Office of Executive Policy and Programs and a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association. © Copyright 2012 - 2013 All material is property of
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