What is Voices For Children?

Voices For Children of the First Coast, Inc. (VFC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Guardian ad Litem Program for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, in Florida which includes Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.

The Guardian ad Litem Program is a network of caring volunteers and professionals working every day to further the best interests of children in dependency (child abuse) court. The hard work of those who dedicate their time and careers to this cause is far reaching. Currently, in Jacksonville, there are approximately 3,300 children in the dependency system at any given time. Of those children, the Guardian ad Litem Program represents about 2,200 children, leaving 1,100 children without a voice in Court.

The mission of The Guardian ad Litem Program is to recruit, train, support and supervise volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who are alleged to be abused, neglected or abandoned and who are involved in court proceedings. Best interests include preservation of the child's physical safety and emotional well-being; permanent placement in a stable and nurturing home environment that fosters the child's healthy growth and development; and protection from further harm during the child's involvement in the court system.

All donations to VFC is used to benefit children directly, in marketing and training more volunteers, so that more child abuse victims can be represented in Court.