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| Construction looked like it was finished up today... we'll see :) |
It's not a big dream. It's actually quite small. However, it has always been meaningful to me. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to something in a legal/political realm that directly impacts children. One of my first thoughts on how to turn this dream into a reality was through adoption. I am adamantly against abortion and see adoption as a far better option. Especially since there are SO many couples who desire children and are unable to conceive. I remember writing papers about adoption/abortion in high school and college years.
I started out as a Social Work major to bring me closer to the adoption world. Unfortunately, that route did not work out. Even though I chose a different major, adoption would enter my mind often. Spending a summer in D.C. allowed me to meet with some non-profits and individuals who had experiences (sometimes quite personal) with adoption and/or abortion. One conversation in particular reminded me that while adoption is the better choice, it still is not all rainbows and roses. Hearing her story intrigued me even more. I am not sure what yet, but I am certain I will do something pertaining to adoption in this life.
I'm not 100% that Curtis and I will adopt children, but I do know that I thought about it even more in my travels abroad. Specifically in visiting an orphanage in China. However, even though some foreign countries have an abundance of children to be adopted, the need is great in the U.S. as well.
Last summer when I was engaged I started exploring another path that related to my dream of helping children. I am not entirely sure how I happened upon it:
Guardians ad litem are often appointed in divorce cases or in parenting time disputes to represent the interests of the minor children. Guardians ad litem are also used in other family matters involving grandparents obtaining custody or grandparenting time as well as protection orders where one parent is attempting to get an order against another party with a legal connection to the mother of the child. The kinds of people appointed as a guardian ad litem vary by state, ranging from volunteers to social workers to regular attorneys to others with the appropriate qualifications...The guardian ad litem's only job is to represent the minor children's best interests.
I love that last line...."the minor children's best interests."
That's what my dream has been about.
Making sure that each child is taken care of. No matter the situation (divorce, adoption, foster care, abuse, neglect, etc.) the utmost effort should be made to protect the child. In my eyes, the child has done no wrong and usually does not have the capability of protecting him/herself. Therefore, he/she deserves to be understood, protected, and loved.
From what I can find, a Guardian ad litem in Utah must be an attorney (which, stating the obvious, I am not). However there is a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, which allows volunteers to be appointed by the Guardian ad litem. Read more about CASA here. Because I do not know how long Curtis and I will remain in Utah (he graduates in April) I do not qualify to apply for CASA just yet (it is usually a year and a half commitment). I am actively looking more into opportunities relating to CASA/GAL.
My hope is that sharing this dream publicly
will encourage me to DO something about it TODAY!
{Can I get a little credit for the fact that your reading this now? Please?}
The need exists. Children everywhere need advocates in a variety of ways.
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| Yes... I'm aware these model children look FAR from being less fortunate, but you get the picture. |
Off to make a dream come true!
