Greene honored for work with Guardian ad Litem program

Paula Greene, attorney advocate for the Guardian ad Litem program of the 13th Judicial District, is honored for her 25 years of service to this program on April 11 during a celebratory event at the Brunswick County Courthouse with Judge Sherry Tyler presiding.
Speakers included Cynthia Singletary, a long-time friend and fellow lawyer from Bladen County; Marilyn Stevens, retired regional director of the Guardian ad Litem program, who hired Greene 25 years ago; Elva Jess, attorney for the Brunswick County Department of Social Services, who works with Greene in Juvenile Court in Brunswick; and Judge Tyler, who presides over Juvenile Court in Brunswick County.
The Guardian ad Litem program uses trained volunteers to represent the best interests of children who have been taken into custody by the Department of Social Services. As child advocates, they are charged with recommending to the court, via written reports, what they consider is in the best interest of each child.
As the attorney advocate, Greene presents the child advocate and his/her report to the court when a case is heard.
Among those present on April 11 were guardians ad litem, social workers, the director of Brunswick County Department of Social Services, Patti Connelly, as well as the current regional director for the Guardian ad Litem program, Iris Derrick. The Guardian ad Litem staff consists of Jane Cassidy, administrator of the program; Cheryl Francis, program specialist; and Christy Haik, program supervisor for Bladen and Columbus counties.
For more information about the Guardian ad Litem program, call 253-4511 or 641-3095.