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CIRCUIT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW (February 2011: NBC)
National Adoption Day 2010
National Adoption Day is one of the best days in the child welfare system. Palm Beach County celebrated it on Friday, November 19th. Judge Baker opened up the festivities and did a great job thanking all who are involved in the system....including our child protective investigators and our attorneys in Childrens Legal Services.
The following link will take you to pictures that capture the spirit and emotion of the day. It along with the video below were shot by one of the photographers from the Heart Gallery.
National Adoption Day from Frank Donnino on Vimeo.
Our Community's Heroes
Posted: 09/24/2010
By: Tania Rogers
West Palm Beach - Twenty year old Jelisa Bernardo says she remembers spending time in 50 different foster homes while growing up. But a woman came into a life who was able to make a difference during Jelisa's tough years. A Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer, volunteers who mentor children.
Jelisa said, "Sonnie has been here since day one and she has been so helpful because without her I would be in worse shape than I am now. I probably would not be doing good, I would not be in school. She's always there to help me out whenever I need help. Like if I need help with a place to stay or if I need help finding classes or anything she has always been there since day one. She is always there for me to talk to her, she is always there for everything. I always say grandmother but she is kind of a second mother to me."
Her guardian is Sondra "Sonny" Davis. Sonny told us,"If she would call me I was never going to say I am not going to talk to you or hang up the phone or anything you know let's get let's have lunch what are you doing. Sometimes I approved of what she was doing, sometimes I didn't, she didn't always listen to me."
Jelisa listened enough to start going to college. She is now majoring in crime scene technology. "I like what she is planning to do now. I think that now she really has a shot to be successful which I am hoping very much happens."
According to Guardian Ad Litem, there are seven thousand volunteers who give a voice to children in the court system. But more volunteers are needed.
Guardian Ad Litem 561-355-2773