Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Guardian ad Litem Foundation
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: GAL
Mailing Address: 1700 Monroe Street, Suite 600
City: Fort Myers
State: FL
Postal Code: 33901
Main Phone: 239-533-1435
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://voicesforkids.org/
Employer ID Number: 59-2296529
Organization Tax Status: 501 (c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/30/2023
Requested Amount: $5,000

Project Title: Guardian Ad Litem Program
Project Description:

Guardian Ad Litem Foundation’s (GAL) mission is to ensure that every child in the dependency court system is represented by a GAL volunteer.

GAL represents 2,002 children in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties, who have been removed from their unsafe living situations and are under the jurisdiction of the state and is committed to being a powerful and effective voice in advocating for the best interests of Southwest Florida’s (SWFL) abused, abandoned, and neglected children.

Our volunteer program makes our work possible – the dedication of these 530+ volunteers is unmatched. Their role is to monitor the progress of a child’s case until a safe and permanent home is achieved, which is done by visiting the child at least once per month to ensure safety; assessing the needs and opinions of the child; collecting information from key people in the child’s life to help guide recommendations; and making recommendations to the court and case managers regarding the best interests of the child.
GAL’s goal is to provide a volunteer child advocate for 100% of the children assigned to SWFL’s 20th Circuit dependency court system. Until a child can be placed in a permanent home that is safe, loving, and comfortable, they remain under the careful supervision of our volunteers, who ensure that the children’s needs are fully met.

A typical client is served, on average, for 18 months during the life of their case. Sometimes this amount of time can be significantly longer, coupled with multiple foster home placements, school districts, etc., making the consistency of the GAL Volunteer Advocate that much more impactful in the child’s life.
The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation’s investment will help us continue our critical advocacy services to foster children in SWFL, as well as draw closer to our goal of 100% representation.

Total Project Budget: $577,701

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Governmental, United Way, Public Support

Project Duration: 1 Year
Geographical Area Served: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry Counties
Age Group To Be Served: 0-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Jessica
Contact Last Name: Stanfield
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 239-533-1435
Contact Email: jstanfield@galfoundation20.org