What is the Children's Guardian Fund?
Since the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program is a government organization and, as such, is not allowed to raise funds, each of Florida's 20 judicial circuits has created a nonprofit organization to support its GAL program. In 1995, the Children's Guardian Fund (CGF) was established in Sarasota as a private 501(c)(3) organization to raise funds to assist children in foster care and to strengthen the GAL program and volunteers in the 12th Judicial District.

What is the Mission of the Children's Guardian Fund?
The purposes of the Children’s Guardian Fund (CGF) are exclusively charitable and educational:

• To help abused and neglected children through support of the Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program
• To develop and manage resources that will help fill the special needs of, and provide developmental enrichment for, abused, abandoned and neglected children in the GAL program or former GAL children transitioning to independent living
• To assist with recruiting, training, and retention of GAL program volunteers
• To promote public awareness and encourage community support for the needs of abused, abandoned and neglected children in the GAL program

DAVID LAWRENCE JR ADDRESSES CHILDREN'S
GUARDIAN FUND AT 14TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON NOVEMBER 5
Hal Hedley receives 'Lifetime of Child Advocacy' Award

SARASOTA, Nov 5, 2012 -- David Lawrence, Jr., head of the early Childhood Initiative Foundation, today addressed the 14th annual fall luncheon of the Children’s Guardian Fund.

Lawrence leads The Children’s Movement in Florida and is a member of the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet. He twice chaired the Florida Partnership for School Readiness. Lawrence retired in 1999 as publisher of The Miami Herald.

At the same event, Jasmine Candlish, president of CGF, presented Harold (Hal) H. Hedley with its second annual “Lifetime of Child Advocacy Award.” Dr Hedley was the second executive director of the Guardian ad Litem program in the 12th judicial circuit (DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties). Until his recent retirement he had served for nine years as president/CEO of the Child Protection Center, Sarasota.

Dr Hedley was the second executive director of the Guardian ad Litem program in the 12th judicial circuit (DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties). Until his recent retirement he had served for nine years as president/CEO of the Child Protection Center, Sarasota.

Vanessa Cresswell chaired the Children’s Guardian Fund event.

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CHILDREN'S GUARDIAN FUND ELECTS
JASMINE CANDLISH AS PRESIDENT

SARASOTA, June 3, 2012 - Children’s Guardian Fund has elected Jasmine Candlish as president of this organization that helps abused, neglected or abandoned children now in state custody.

Candlish, who serves as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, had been president- elect, a position now held by Nancy Feehan, a local child advocate. Candlish is the author of more than 70 published novels.

Stephen Walker, a criminal defense lawyer, and Jerry Woelfel, a marketing consultant, were elected to the Board at the same year-end meeting in May.

Candlish succeeds Alan Quinby who has served as president for the past two years.

New to the Board in the past fiscal year are Hal Hedley, G.E. (“Mike”) Michalson, Ian Sharp and Thomas D. Shults.

CGF supports the recruitment and training of 400 Guardian ad Litem volunteers who advocate in court for the best interests of the 1200 children in the custody of the 12th Judicial Circuit. CGF, through its Next Step Program, also offers tutoring and mentoring for teens aging out of the system.

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THIRD ANNUAL GOLF EVENT RAISES $50,000 TO SUPPORT LOCAL CHILDREN
IN FOSTER CARE WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND ABANDONED

SARASOTA, April 16, 2012 - Children’s Guardian Fund raised $50,000 from its third annual Golf Classic outing Monday, April 16 at Laurel Oak Country Club.

Funds raised for this event will go to support the Guardian ad Litem program.

Jack O’Brien and his Guardian ad Litem committee attracted more than 100 golfers to the event that included a scramble on the course and an awards ceremony, cocktail party, live auction and dinner in the clubhouse.

Guardian ad Litem volunteers serve 1200 children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. They are now in the custody of the 12th judicial circuit which serves Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties.

“The needs of these children through the Guardian ad Litem volunteers and Next Step mentors have never been more acute,“ said Alan Quinby, president of The Children’s Guardian Fund. “Our funds make sure financial assistance is available for the children's health education and social needs.”

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Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club Awards $3,500 Grant

SARASOTA, April 5, 2012 -- Childrens Guardian Fund received a $3,500 grant from the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club, presented at an Awards Luncheon April 5th. CGF is one of 25 charities chosen to receive funds, raised through its annual Wine Festival.

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CHILDREN'S GUARDIAN FUND HONORS THE 383
GUARDIAN AD LITEM VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers Help 1100 Kids in the Dependency System

SARASOTA, March 23, 2012 - At its annual Appreciation Luncheon the Children’s Guardian Fund honored the 383 Guardian ad Litem volunteers who work with the 1100 children in dependency in the 12th judicial district.

The event was held at Lakewood Ranch Country CluThe event was held at Lakewood Ranch Country Club on Friday, March 23. More than 200 people attended.

Each child is in the care of the courts because he or she has been abused, neglected or abandoned. “These GAL volunteers are the eyes and ears of the court,“ said retired Judge Durand Adams, the featured speaker. “Of all the constituents in the dependency proceedings, the Guardian ad Litem volunteer sometimes was the only one unburdened by any consideration other than what was in the best interests of the child.”

The volunteers are lead by Pam Hindman, executive director of the Guardian ad Litem program in the 12th judicial district which includes DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

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1200 CHILDEN IN CUSTODY OF THE COURTS RECEIVE
SUPPORT BY ‘FREEDOM’ YACHT CRUISE
Yacht is sister ship of "Sequia" used by Truman

SARASOTA, February 6, 2012 – The yacht “Freedom”, sister ship to Harry Truman’s “Sequoia”, will cruise Sarasota Bay on March 8 and 10 to raise support for the 1200 children now in the care of the local courts, there because they have abused, abandoned or neglected.
“Freedom” will offer a cocktail buffet cruise starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 8 and a brunch cruise starting at 10 a.m. Saturday March 10. Price for either cruise: $250 per person.

The 104 ft. Trumpy launched July 4, 1926 is similar to the yacht President Truman entertained his cronies on, sailing in the evening up and down the Potomac River in Washington.

This yacht “Freedom” was found as a derelict in the St. John’s River and was fully restored by its present owners over a period of five years. They are offering these cruises because they believe in the 425 Guardian ad Litem volunteers and the Next Step mentors.


See our Upcoming Events page for more information.

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Protecting Our Children: CGF Honors Judge Who Helped Foster Children
1200 Children now in State's Care

SARASOTA, FL November 13, 2011 -- Childrens Guardian Fund recently honored retired Judge Durand Adams for his efforts to provide support for the 1200 children in the state's care.
For his years of leadership in the 12th Judicial Circuit, CGF presented him with its "Lifetime Child Advocacy" award, its first, for leadership in child protection.

The luncheon was the 13th annual event, held at Michael's on East November 9. Over 200 people attended, including a dozen Guardian ad Litem volunteers. Recently retired president of the Child Protection Center Dr Hal Hedley served as honorary chair.

This event, said Alan Quinby, president of CGF, supports the educational and other needs of children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected and who are now in state-ordered care.

Quinby and Dr. Hedley presented Judge Adams with the award, a sculpture of children climbing a metaphorical ladder.

Judge Adams founded the Family Violence Council of Manatee County in 1993. In 1994, the Florida Supreme Court appointed Judge Adams to assist in implementing the family law initiative in all 20 judicial circuits in Florida.

Dr Hedley was the second executive director of the Guardian ad Litem program in the 12th judicial circuit. Until his recent retirement he had served for nine years as president/CEO of the Child Protection Center, Sarasota. Co-chairs were Nancy and Chuck Parrish, and Carol and Mort Siegler.

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Childrens Guardian Fund
The mission of the Childrens Guardian Fund is to raise funds to ensure that every abused, neglected and abandoned child in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida has a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem and that financial assistance is available for the childs health, educational and social needs.

Guardian ad Litem
The mission of the Guardian ad Litem program is to advocate for the best interests of all children who are allegedly abused, neglected or abandoned and who are involved in court proceedings. (See also www.12gal.org)