Attorney Danielle C. Wingfield-Smith, JD, PhD.
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Founder of the Pro.Social Network
Founder of the Pro.Social Network
Why Child Advocacy?
"Few rights are more fundamental than a child’s right to be cared for by their own family. I have worked intimately with children and parents, representing their legal interest, and I have found that poverty has a profound effect on a person's ability to care for their child. I believe situations which are beyond a persons control should not be grounds for the removal of a child from his or her family, and that reunification should be an honest goal whenever it can serve the best interest of a child. I believe, generally speaking, that children in the legal system are still children and deserve the same advocacy that we would expect to receive as adults and possibly more. Our aim should not be to remove children from bad situations, but rather to find ways to change the situation itself, thus giving families the opportunity to be just that, a 'family' in the truest sense of the word." - Attorney Danielle C. Wingfield-Smith, JD, PhD.
About Attorney Danielle C. Wingfield-Smith, JD, PhD.
Pro.Social Network, Inc., Founder & Director
As the Founder & Director of the Pro.Social Network, Dr. Wingfield-Smith is cultivating a national network of social media advocates, legal advocates, and youth services providers. Her goal is to strategically develop the social capital necessary to help children at-risk avoid out-of-home placement and achieve better outcomes overall.
Of Counsel and Guardian Ad Litem
Attorney Wingfield-Smith serves as Of Counsel for the Child Advocate Law Firm of Charlottesville, VA, where she helps to advance the mission of the firm by providing high-level advocacy that serves the best interest of children. Attorney Wingfield-Smith is qualified by the Supreme Court of Virginia as a Guardian Ad Litem for children. As such, she is charged with the duty of representing the best interests of children in court proceedings. Children who find themselves in the justice system are especially vulnerable, as they often are unable to achieve fair and just outcomes for themselves without competent and caring representation. She is passionate about Guardian Ad Litem work and takes seriously the role her services play in providing zealous advocacy.
Post Doctoral Researcher, University of Virginia
Dr. Wingfield-Smith is advancing her research and scholarship as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Virginia.
Our Journey
Our Journey
ACADEMY OF LIFE AND LEARNING
Danielle volunteered with the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (sponsor of the former Academy for Life and Learning), as an undergraduate student through the William & Mary Sharp Scholars program. The Academy for Life and Learning served to help students who were permanently expelled from public school. At the Academy, Danielle received the first spark of passion for the needs of children lost in the system.
JEANETTE LIPMAND LEGAL CLINIC
The Jeanette Lipman Legal Clinic for Families and Children at the Richmond School of Laws is where Danielle served as lead student legal associate, defending rights of children and their families. During her time there she managed cases generally related to family law. It was here that the plight of children in the legal system became clear. As a result, Danielle took up the cause of representing the interests of children at-risk. It was also here that the idea for the Pro.Social Network was born.
CURRY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
The Curry School of Education is where Danielle received the historical context for the work that Pro.social is doing today.
THE HONORABLE HENRY L. MARSH
Danielle has served as a protege' to former Virginia Statesman, Senator Henry Marsh, an attorney and civil rights advocate who assisted in dismantling Massive Resistance. It was during this time that the power of legal advocacy revealed itself as an effective means of helping families.
Our Board
Our Board
Danielle Wingfield-Smith
Danielle is the founder and visionary of ProSocial Network. She is a legal advocate for children.
Benita Austin
Benita is social media advocate for Faith-based organizations. She has a great passion for helping foster and displaced youth. She serves on the executive leadership team for her church.
Monica Allen
Monica holds a masters degree in social work and is a social worker. She is passionate about seeing reforms in the social work field and believes that all children deserve to be well cared for.
Courtney Parker
Courtney is ex-military and a logistics specialist. He holds a degree in business and has a passion for helping to scale enterprises using proven business management systems. He has a love for children and would like to see children have better opportunities for positive development than he had when he was a child.
Monica Whitehead
Monica is a teacher by profession and holds a master in english. She is passionate about bringing healing to children and adults who do not have the love of a mother.
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