- April 18, 2024
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The first step is a logo design contest.
The Guardian Ad Litem program gives kids a voice, and now a volunteer has plans to give them a FACE with a program utilizing the arts.
Guardian Ad Litem volunteers serve as advocates for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse, abandonment or neglect. The child in these situations is living in a foster home while the court decides when or if they can return to their parents, and the volunteer represents the child’s interest as they travel through a maze of hearings, trials, foster parents and judges.
Donna Jordan, a GAL volunteer and longtime member of the local arts community, has a plan to enrich the lives of these children through an arts program called FACE: fostering arts; creating expression.
She said art can change a child’s direction and enhance self-esteem.
“It’s been established that the arts are beneficial for all children,” she said. “Expression with art helps in a traumatic situation. It helps get feelings out. It’s very therapeutic.”
Jordan has big plans for monthly art workshops where children can express themselves and receive instruction in music, dance, drama, writing, etc. But she’s starting small, with a contest to design a logo for the FACE program.
Jordan has worked in art education and also served as chairman of the Halifax Art Festival for three years, where she started the student competitions. She is a past director of the Daytona Art League, and was director of marketing for Seaside Music Theatre.
She has enlisted helpers from her many contacts in the arts community.
“We have some wonderful, creative talent and community partners on board. Some have backgrounds of working with at-risk kids,” she said.
Judy Evers, volunteer coordinator for Guardian Ad Litem, said that Jordan has “quite a task force” lined up. She said art is a way to give children self-esteem that carries throughout the lives.
Evers said there are 650 children in the Guardian Ad Litem program in Volusia County and 50% are under age 6.She said that teenagers in the program could receive a special benefit because they get can a sense of community with other kids who are expressing themselves.
Jordan said she will start the workshops in East Volusia and then expand.
“I’m currently looking for venues,” she said. She’s also wants to address transportation issues, noting that children in foster care who do not have a GAL volunteer will need transportation.
She also hopes to have day trips to museums and galleries.
For information about the Guardian Ad Litem program, call 254-4614.
Logo contest for FACE
The contest is open to all kids in foster care Volusia County and the deadline is Sept. 30. The only criteria is to create a logo for the FACE program, utilizing a heart in the design. The winner will be chosen by the Advisory Panel of FACE and will be awarded a $50 gift certificates. Their design will be shown in print and in public to build awareness of the children in foster care. For information, contact Jordan at [email protected] or 441-2776.
