For just over 20 years, Ana Crucet has been advocating on behalf children who are embroiled in dependency proceedings in Miami-Dade County’s court system. These young people come to her through the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program. GAL volunteers are specially trained, dedicated advocates who work towards ensuring that children in dependency court have a ‘voice’ and that their well-being and best interests are being realized.
Along with the two decades of service to GAL, Crucet works full-time as the Director of Florida International University’s Legal Studies Institute – an affiliate of FIU Law.
For Crucet giving to these children in this way is natural.
“I put myself in the place of each child, which makes me feel that they are part of me, ” she shared. “They depend so much on our assistance and reach out to us expecting to be fairly treated. In the end, you feel joy knowing that you made a difference in their lives.”
GAL recently recognized Crucet for her two decades of service not just to the kids in the program, but also for her role on the Volunteer Advisory Committee. Back in 2010, she was recognized as the Guardian ad Litem of the Year and in 2012 was awarded the Community Advocate of the Year.
Crucet stays motivated to do this work because of the children and realizes that she plays a very important role in their lives. One of her clients confided in her and said, “without you I couldn’t have gone through so much pain. I had a person next to me, giving me the support and the security I needed so much.”
Crucet has one goal in mind: “to see justice for the child and to make sure the child’s best interest has been served.” More than anything she wants “to have a child placed in a safe and loving environment.”
When asked if she has another 20 years left to give she remarked,” to be a Guardian ad Litem is an honor and a privilege. Working in front of the Honorable Cindy Lederman who is the perfect role model and who gives me the encouragement I need when I am frustrated with the system makes me think twice about leaving the program! I plan to be a Guardian ad Litem for another 20 years – if I have to leave this world before then, I will leave knowing that I made a great difference in the lives of these wonderful children – that will be my legacy,” she boasted.
For more information about the Legal Studies Institute, visit LSI.fiu.edu