Name: Jessie Harrell
Age: 30
Family: Husband of 7 years, Holt, and two daughters, Morgan and Samantha
Education: B.A. in Classical Studies, University of Florida, 1998; J.D., University of Florida, 2001
Admitted to the Bar: 2001
Employed by: Mills, Creed & Gowdy, P.A.
Field of practice - appellate law
Professional Organizations: Jacksonville Bar Association; Appellate Practice Section of the Florida Bar
Community Involvement: Board Member - Voices for Children of the First Coast, Inc.
How did you get involved?
I started by leading my law firm’s effort to collect new clothes and toys for children in the Guardian Ad Litem Program during the holidays. After several years, Director Rich Komando suggested to the board I be invited to join.
Why did you get involved?
I feel strongly that the abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency system deserve a voice and their own advocate. When parties in a dependecy case go to court, the State and parents have advocates but the child’s voice is often unheard. By law, all children in Florida’s dependency care system are to be assigned a court-appointed volunteer, called a Guardian Ad Litem. They meet with the child on a monthly basis, ensure they are receiving proper care and medical attention and speak on behalf of the child in any court proceedings. They hope to ensure their children are placed in safe, permanent and nuturing homes. Due to a critical shortage of volunteers approimately 600 children in Duval’s dependency system alone go without a volunteer advocate. Voices for Children is trying to change that. Our goal is to provide representation for every child who has been the victim of abuse, abandonment or neglect.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
The experience has reinforced my belief we all have an obligation to give back to our communities however we can. I have heard stories of guardians and children they’ve helped. I know guardians are often the difference between a child feeling so hopeless they fall into a life of poverty or crime and a child being empowered to get an education, stay drug free, and commit to making something of their lives. The work this legion of volunteers performs doesn’t just change the life of a child, it has the potential to shape all of our futures for the better. My service on the board pales in comparison to the efforts made by our guardians. I am proud I can assist them as best I can in their important work.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
I just finished “Breaking Dawn,” which is the last of the four-part “Twilight” series. And yes, I know the books were written for teenagers but they’re still very good.