“It has been a privilege for me to work with the GAL program for the last 28 years. I feel enlightened and being a part of my GAL children’s lives have enriched my life more than I could have imagined.”

Babs Wagner scholarship.

In 1991, Babs Wagner a GAL who saw a need, established Friends of Wake County Guardian ad Litem. For over 30 year she advocated for children as well as mentored youth in foster and kinship care. In 2019, she was awarded the Unsung Hero Award by WCHSS as her life has been devoted to helping children and families in the child welfare system.

In 2021, the board began discussing the need to support children aging out of foster care and ensuring they had access to funds to help them meet their goals. Youth who age out of foster care at 18, who may chose a career path or training not covered by traditional grants or scholarships. With the establishment of the Babs Wagner Scholarship Fund, the Friends of Wake County GAL board is committing $5,000 twice a year to applicants who apply in the spring and fall semesters.

apply now.

  • The Babs Wagner Scholarship is a bi-annually awarded scholarship to be given to one or more than one applicant totaling $5,000. The scholarship is to be used for career advancement after all other grant and scholarship opportunities have been exhausted.

  • Applicants are required to be or have been in the Wake County Foster Care System and are aging out. A high school diploma or GED is required. Applicants may be undocumented.

  • The application process will be open from January 1st - April 15th. The scholarship will be awarded May 1st. The second application process is June 1st – September 1st with the scholarship awarded on October 1st.

  • Applicant will submit a completed application (including short answer questions), an original copy of their GED or high school diploma, a recommendation letter from his/her GAL, support person, or mentor. Applicant will further provide a video stating the career you are interested in, how you became interested, your plans upon completion of your course of study and how you plan to achieve your career goals.