OKEECHOBEE — With great appreciation, Guardians ad Litem recognizes some of its Okeechobee partners.

Linda Spector has worked part time for the Guardian ad Litem Program in Okeechobee County since October 2012 as a program attorney. Her favorite part of her job is believing she can make a difference. Linda is a good listener which makes her a successful attorney! In her free time, Linda likes to golf. Her favorite quote is, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Penny Martin was with the Guardian ad Litem Program for nine years up until 2009 in Palm Beach County. She was a program attorney for two years, then a supervising attorney for seven years. From there, Penny went into private practice. Penny did family law but never left dependency court. She represented special needs children in dependency as an Attorney Ad Litem and represented families as an attorney for adoptions. For the last year and a half, Penny has been with the Guardian program in the 19th Circuit. She is part-time in Okeechobee, sharing the case load with Linda Spector.

Penny’s favorite part of working for the GAL program is working with her team as they work tirelessly to maximize success for the children’s outcomes. Penny is good at being able to be flexible for a solution, or compromise. She is also a very positive and caring person. In Penny’s free time she loves to read, cook, and shop even if it’s online at the moment. She also loves traveling with her husband, and looks forward to when she can do that again. Penny’s favorite quote is, “ The earth has music for those who listen.”

Jamie Franks-Johnson has worked for the Guardian ad Litem Program for two and a half years as a child advocate manager in Okeechobee County. She loves that we have the opportunity to advocate for children in our circuit and make a positive difference in the lives of the children that we serve.

Jamie’s family is a foster and adoptive family. She believes that this experience gives her a unique perspective and opportunity to use their family’s story to help other children going through similar traumatic events.

Jamie’s hobbies include “Momming”, taxi driver, nurse, therapist, scheduling coordinator, basketball coach/cheerleader, comedian, sometimes quarantine home school teacher and puppy whisperer. Her family just got a precious new golden retriever puppy and they are obsessed with him.

Jamie’s favorite quote is, ““Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story.” -Josh Shipp

Daniella (pronounced Danielle) Truett has been a child advocate manager for a year and a half in Okeechobee County. Before that, she was a volunteer in St. Lucie county for two years.

Daniella loves the team approach and how we are all like one big family. She feels very supported in what she does. Daniella is a wonderful listener, and she fights hard for her GAL kids. She constantly goes above and beyond for her kids.

Some of Daniella’s favorite things are movie nights with her daughter, board games and card games with her husband, snuggling with her pets, swimming, gator sports and naps!

Daniella’s favorite quote is “We are all more than the worst thing we have ever done or the worst thing that has ever been done to us.”

Her second favorite quote is, “The ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones that do.”

Did you know that the Guardian ad Litem Program is still working virtually to bring new volunteers on board and to advocate for  GAL kids? That means you can help from the safety of your own home! Please reach out to join the program today! You can call 772-785-5804 or visit the website  WWW.guardian19.org or Facebook page.