CA with tag line 

 525 N. State Street · Suite 4 · Alma, MI 48801 
(989) 463-1422


Strong-willed children become adults who change the world as long as we can hang on for the ride and resist the temptation to "tame" the spirit out of them.


In This Issue
Ice Cream-A-Palooza
E-Cigarettes Regulated
Welcome Nicole Showers
Free Summer Meal Program
Volunteer Oppurtunity
Summer Hours
Scheduled Classes
About Us 
 
 Child Advocacy is a non-profit agency with a mission to improve the welfare of children and their families through education, training, and support for the prevention of substance abuse and child abuse and neglect.

 Our Staff
   
Audra Stahl 
Executive Director
     
Pam Mahin
Office Manager
 
Ty Warczinsky 
GCSAC Coordinator
 
 Richelle Davis 
Prevention Educator
 
Michelle Zombeck 
 CASA Coordinator    
 
Heather Therrien  
CAC Coordinator
 
Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager
 
Staci Bigelow
Event/Volunteer Coordinator
 
 

Board of Directors  

President
Wes Wickes
Youth for Christ
   
Vice President 
Jennifer Leppien
CASA
   
Treasurer
Carolyn Studley
  Community Representative

Secretary 
 Kelly Piotrowski
Dept. of Human Services
  
Steve Benn
Detective/Sgt.
MI State Police

Sara Bonacci
Sara Bonacci Photography

Wendy Currie 
Mid MI District Health Dept

Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office 
   
Rob DuHadway
DuHadway Dance Dimensions 

Tammy Halfmann
Mercantile Bank

David Justin
 Alma School Board
  
Mike Morris
Detective, Gratiot Co. Sheriff's Dept. 
  
Jamie Richardson
Doehring Schultz Insurance Agency

Matt Schooley
City of Alma Transportation

 Jennifer Siefker
Tri Lakes Petroleum
  
Jennifer Stambaugh
DeafBlind Central CMU
 
Steve Vernon
 Gratiot Co. Comm. Mental Health 

Joe Yourchock
Community Representative
 

Car

Seat Safety

 
Did you know that at Child Advocacy we can install and provide a safety inspection for your child safety seat?  Child Advocacy has a nationally certified safety seat technician available!
To make an appointment call
 989-463-1422
 or 800-552-4489
Permanent Prescription Drug Drop Off
Site
 
Gratiot Co. Sheriff
226 E. Center
Ithaca
open 24 hrs./day
7 days/week
  
Alma Police Dept.
525 E. Superior St.
 Hours 
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
 
Breckenridge Police Dept.
 104 E. Saginaw St.
Hours
8:00 a.m.- 5:00  p.m.
Monday - Friday
 
St. Louis Police Dept.
108 W. Saginaw St.
Hours
Mon. 7 - 3 
Tues. - Fri. 8 - 4 
 
These sites accept
prescription pills and patches.
Program Needs

Gas Cards 
to help cover the cost for medical travel to Grand Rapids or help with transportation of foster children.

Gift Cards to Walmart and Meijer to purchase the specific needs of a child. 
 
Drawing Paper

Puzzles

New Children's Books

Play-dough

Games for younger children to play

Capri Sun Juice Box's

Bottled Water


Community donations help the quality of our programs and are greatly appreciated. Donations can be made directly at Child Advocacy or by contacting our office. (989) 463-1422

Your Feedback!
""Karen's work as a CASA has been invaluable.   The time and insight that she offers enable every other professional working on the case to be far more effective, and her drive to be a true advocate for the children she is serving is a continual inspiration for all involved." 
Comment made by an attorney regarding the work of one of our CASA Advocates.  

Quick Links
 
Join Our Mailing List
 

Happy Independence Day!

Please take a moment to read our program articles, great things are still happening here at Child Advocacy over the summer. 

This month we welcome a new face to our Children's Advocacy Center, Nicole Showers. View her welcome article below.


Enjoy,
Child Advocacy Staff
Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org .


ICE CREAM-A-PALOOZA
Thursday, July 7
4:30p.m. - 7:00p.m.

Lincoln Road United Methodist Church
9479 W. Lincoln Rd., Riverdale

Homemade Ice Cream, Hot Dogs & Bounce House 

Car Seat Checks by Child Advocacy 
Certified  Technicians
Check for proper fit, recalls and expiration dates

This is a free community event, freewill donations go to Child Advocacy of Gratiot County

Questions ? Call LRUMC Office at (989) 463-5704
Weekdays 9:00 - 1:00
E-Cigarettes Now Regulated     
By: Ty Warczinsky
  GCSAC Coordinator

E-Cigarettes are a new and trendy product among today's youth. For the past several years, anyone under the age of 18 could purchase an E-Cigarette. That is finally about to change. Starting August 8th, E-Cigarettes will now be considered a Tobacco product, which will require legal buyers to be at least 18 years of age. This is a step in the right direction, but there is still work to be done.

E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product among our youth.  Here is a link to a video featuring an E-Cigarette trick contest: 

After watching the video, it is easy to understand why so many of our youth are attracted to this product.  That is why this new ruling is very important; it will make it that much more difficult for minors to get their hands on this habit- forming product. Please educate yourself on the struggles that our youth are facing, and have conversations with the youth of Gratiot County. The more we all sing the same song, the more the tune will catch on.

For more information on the upcoming policy change please read the complete New York Times article below.
Welcome Nicole Showers
Children's Advocacy Center

My name is Nicole Showers and I am a recent graduate of Central Michigan University. Fire up Chips! I am honored to be joining the Child Advocacy team, working in the Children's Advocacy Center.

I was born and raised in Gratiot County, and I love being able to call it my home. I am a graduate of Ithaca High School and I now live in Alma and enjoy spending time with my family. I am thrilled to be able to work in coordination with so many outstanding individuals and agencies within this community. I look forward to using the knowledge I obtained from receiving my degree in Family Studies and Early Childhood Development to bring my best to the Children's Advocacy Center.

I will be training in the office with my co-workers until I am able to obtain the training to become a certified Forensic Interviewer. I am scheduled to attend Forensic Interviewer training in the coming months. I feel proud to be a part of the Child Advocacy team and am eager to see what great things are ahead.
Free Summer Meal Program
Free Summer Meal Program open to all Gratiot County children 18 and under.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
June 13 - August 25


Served at:

Clapp Park:  Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

First Church of God: Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Nikkari Elementary:
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

St. Louis High School: 
Breakfast: 8: 00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Supper: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Ashley Comm. Schools:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Are you looking for a meaningful and enriching volunteer opportunity?  

Do you want to do something about child abuse?  

If you said yes to both of those questions then call Child Advocacy's CASA of Gratiot County to find out how you can make the difference in the life of a child. We have children who are waiting for a CASA volunteer. Will it be you? 

Join us in our vision to see that every child has a safe and
p ermanent home. No experience is necessary and training is provided.  

Call Child Advocacy now and ask to speak with Michelle Zombeck to learn more at (989)463-1422.


Judge Bakker, Kathy Gatten, Rachel Letsche, and Michelle Zombeck (CASA Coordinator)
Photo of new CASA volunteers recently swore in at the Gratiot County Court House.
Summer Hours
Starting the week of June 13  
Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Friday
Scheduled Classes
 
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Tuesday, July  12
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
Central Michigan Youth for Christ - Alma

Please call our office at (989) 463-1422 to register for the class.

Happy Independence Day!

We say goodbye to Heather Gardner this month.  Heather has been the face of the Children's Advocacy Center since the day we opened the doors in 2013.  We always believed she landed in Alma to help us get the Children's Advocacy Center up and running, and she did a wonderful job of making this program a huge success.  Heather and her family are pursuing other opportunities and adventures in Florida, and we wish them all the best!  We will miss you Heather!

In other news we welcome Nicole Showers to the team!  Nicole is one of our former student volunteers and we are so excited to have her part of our Child Advocacy family.  Nicole will be working alongside Heather Therrien in the Children's Advocacy Center, and will be trained in Forensic Interviewing this August.

Exciting things continue to happen here at Child Advocacy as we continue to grow and expand our programs.  Follow us on Facebook for up to date announcements on staff, programs, classes/training's, and events!
 
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
Executive Director