Mecklenburg Guardian ad Litem

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we’re spotlighting Jackie Tellez.

Jackie serves on our On Call Hospitality & Welcome Pack Team, helping make sure children and caregivers feel supported from the very beginning. She shared that one of the most meaningful parts of volunteering with Foster Village Charlotte is being able to provide essentials during those first few days of a new placement, helping create a softer landing for families as they welcome a child into their home.

One memory that has stayed with Jackie was helping decorate the Cottage for a Lilo & Stitch birthday celebration and getting to see a little girl’s excitement as she walked in and saw it all come to life. That kind of care matters. It reminds us that small acts of service can help a child feel deeply seen and celebrated.

Jackie, thank you for showing up with compassion, thoughtfulness, and joy.

And to every Foster Village Charlotte volunteer, thank you for helping us remind children and caregivers that they are not alone. It truly takes a village.

To a child, it doesn’t matter who you are, it matters what actions you take. Everyone can be a hero to a child. The number one form of child abuse prevention is starting a dialogue, so speak up and speak out!

Here are a few easy tips you can start today to help keep children safe and educated:

MY BODY IS MY BODY
Every child has the right to tell anyone “No" and refuse unwanted or uncomfortable affection. A child should never be forced to hug, give affection, or sit on a lap.

SAFETY NETWORK
Children need a network of safe adults whom they can talk to if they are feeling uncomfortable, worried, or scared. Help them identify five safe adults who they can turn to if they need help.

PRIVATE PARTS
Explain that private parts are those that are covered by their swimsuit, and it is not ok for someone to touch, look at, or take photos of their private parts. Likewise, a child should not be asked to touch another person's private parts.

SECRETS VS. SURPRISES
Surprises can be fun and make people happy, like giving a present. Secrets, however, can be hurtful. Teach kids that adults should not ask children to keep secrets and the child should tell someone right away.

For more resources, visit

Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center - Where every child's voice is heard Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center focuses resources of public & private agencies in Mecklenburg County, NC to optimize outcomes for abused children.

More shoutouts to those behind the scenes of our 2026 Appreciation Event. Thank you to Congregations For Kids for volunteering to help us set up and break down and for the awesome gifts of tea and honey for each volunteer! Thank you to Least of These Carolinas for the beautiful flowers that were on each table along with the awesome door prizes! Thank you to Anna Rushing and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated for volunteering for the event and even more door prizes! And to Hope Community Church, we thank you for the use of your beautiful Fellowship Hall. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the Mecklenburg Guardian ad Litem Foundation! One last shout out to the GAL Staff- thank you for your work every day for the kids you advocate for- it does not go unnoticed!

Last night we celebrated our wonderful volunteers and all the work they do for the children in our community. In the words of Judge Elizabeth Trosch, "It takes just one constant, stable adult to make a difference in a child's life." And that is what you do every day! We thank you for your hard work and dedication. A big congratulations to our 2026 Awards Winners: Claire Rodahaver- Debra Majeed Diversity Award; Cara Becknell- Stacy Stranick Teen Advocacy Award; Karen Allen(Not Pictured) - Walton Sibling Group Advocacy Award; Rookie of the Year- Rachel Rosenfeld and Volunteer of the Year- John Greenwood. Congratulations!
We would also like to shout out our MC Jason Stoogenke for keeping us on schedule and all his kind words, Carolyn Marsh Green for her continued leadership and encouragement, Dana Suzanne Frady for her tireless work for the Mecklenburg GAL team, Guest Speaker and former foster youth Felicity for reminding us of our WHY (we are so PROUD of you!) and to our Key Note speaker Judge Elizabeth Thornton Trosch for her commitment to the Juvenile Bench, her work to keeping us all trauma informed and for being a supporter of Guardian ad Litem volunteers and staff.

AI is advancing fast, and so are the risks to children. Awareness is the first step to protection! Take time this April to review your child's online safety settings and have open conversations.

This weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to recruit at the Charlotte FC game! The Mecklenburg Guardian ad Litem Foundation was also the Non-Profit of the Match! They sold raffle tickets for a signed Idan Toklomati jersey and the lucky winner was Taji! Thank you all who bought tickets to the game. And THANK YOU Charlotte FC for having us!

Looking for ways to help? Support local parenting initiatives and build protective factors in your community. Small actions create big change! Mecklenburg Child Abuse Prevention Team