Melinda Hardy was sworn in as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer child advocate Thursday.

District Court Judge Brenda G. Branch swore in Hardy during the regular session of Halifax County Juvenile Court.  

Hardy is the former Guardian ad Litem program district administrator for District 6. 

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program was created by the state legislature in 1983 to provide abused and neglected children with an independent advocate’s voice in court proceedings.  

The Guardian ad Litem, along with an attorney advocate, work as a team to protect the child’s legal rights and to promote the best interest of the child in abuse/neglect court.  

While Guardian Ad Litem volunteers make up a diverse group of people from various educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds, they all seek to ensure that these vulnerable children find safety and permanency. 

Guardian ad Litem training will be held in Northampton County on March 12 and 26; April 2, 9, 16, and 23 at the Northampton Memorial Library.   

No specific education or experience is required to volunteer for this program; only a true desire to make a difference in your community one child at a time.  

For more information contact the Guardian ad Litem Office: 252-574-3121 or go to to the volunteer website.