The mission of A Voice for the Children Foundation is to raise funds to ensure that every abused and neglected child in Greenwood/Abbeville counties and the volunteers that support those children have the resources they need in order to provide for the educational, health and emotional welfare of the children in the program.
History The Foundation was formed in 2009 by a group of concerned citizens who identified an unmet need in the community and who shared a desire to serve. In the past five yearswe have disbursed $42,000 and impacted the lives of 380 children.
Programs
$16,000 has been provided as direct assistance to 73 children to meet a specific need. This has included the purchase of musical instruments, summer camps, tutoring, school trips, prom dresses, clothes, baby furniture, etc. The need is typically identified by the Guardian and/or the District Coordinator.
$15,000 has been disbursed in providing 154 children with Christmas gifts.
$5,000 has been used to partner with the Foster Parents Association in providing a duffle bag to each child entering foster care within 24 hours of placement. These duffle bags contain personal care items, a pillow, blanket and other age appropriate contents such as stuffed animals, coloring books, bibles, etc. We also have funded various group activities.
$4,500 has been given as mileage reimbursements to Guardians who have to travel outside of Greenwood and Abbeville counties to visit their children.
Annual CEU training sessions are sponsored.
Greenwood/Abbeville Guardian ad Litem Program The Guardian ad Litem Program recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who are court-appointed to represent and advocate for the best interests of children in family court proceedings involving allegations of abuse or neglect. Last year, 42 trained volunteer advocates represented 149 abused and/or neglected children and donated countless hours of their time to advocate for their needs. Policy prohibits these volunteers from providing financial support of any kind to the children they represent. However the children have many unmet needs. With your help The Voice for the Children Foundation will meet those needs. Or become a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem! Our website: www.greenwood.scgal.org will explain all about what a difference you can make in the life of a child.
Board Members: George Swindell David Peel Beverly Thomas Tiffany Bledsoe Natasha Barr Susan Clark Ida Parks
