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About Us
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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
President & CEO
Pam Mahin
Office Manager
Ty Warczinsky
GCSAC Program Director
Sara Krebs
Coalition Coordinator
Richelle Davis
Prevention Educator
Michelle Zombeck
CASA Program Director
CAC Program Director
Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager
Mallory Harrier
CAC Intake Coordinator
Staci Bigelow
Event/Volunteer Coordinator
Morgan Rooy
Board of Directors
President
Carolyn Studley
Community Represenative
Vice President
Matt Schooley
City of Alma Transportation
Secretary
Jennifer Stambaugh
DeafBlind Central
Treasurer
Sara Bonacci
Sara Bonacci Photography
Steve Benn
Detective/Sgt.
MI State Police
Wendy Currie
Mid MI District Health Dept
Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Jim Dubey
Garr Tool
Rob DuHadway
DuHadway Dance Dimensions
Tammy Halfmann
Mercantile Bank
David Justin
Alma School Board
Jennifer Leppien
CASA
John Morey
CPA
Mike Morris
Detective/Sgt. Gratiot Co. Sheriff's Dept.
Alison Morrison
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Jamie Richardson
Doehring Schultz Insurance Agency
Jennifer Siefker
Steve Vernon
Gratiot Integrated Health Network
Wes Wickes
Central MI Youth for Christ
Mark Williams
Detective/Sgt.
Alma Police Depart.
Joe Yourchock
Community Representative
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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
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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.
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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
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Your Feedback!
"FYI, I really like the nurturing parenting class and am seeing great progress with my clients in that class! Thank you.
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Department of Health and Human Service worker
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Did you know the Pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention? The pinwheel stands as an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve.
Also this month is our Alma vs. Ithaca Alumni Basketball game on April 21 and the early registration deadline for our Superhero 5K. Come join the fun and help support child abuse and neglect prevention!!
Child Advocacy Staff
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Upcoming Events
Pinwheel
Gardens
Planted the first week of April, will remain displayed all month.
Locations:
St. Louis Police Department
Gratiot County Sheriff's Department Ithaca Unit
Alma Police Department
Gratiot Integrated Health Network
Mercantile Bank - Wright Ave.
Working to raise awareness for Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention.
*Thank you to E & S Graphics for donating our signs to be placed in all 5 gardens.
Charity Basketball Game
Alma High School Alumni vs. Ithaca High School Alumni
Friday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m
Alma High School Gymnasium
Proceeds to benefit Child Abuse and Neglect programs
of Gratiot County.
Child Advocacy Superhero 5K
Please mark your calendar for our annual 5K race!
Saturday, May 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Alma Armory, 710 N. State St.
Child Advocacy Banquet
Join us as we celebrate those who advocate and care for children and for those who strive to improve the welfare of children and their families!
Wednesday, May 24
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Central Michigan Youth for Christ - Alma
Please call the Child Advocacy office at (989) 463-1422 to purchase tickets in advance.
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April is Child Abuse
Prevention Month
By: Heather Therrien
CAC Program Director
At Child Advocacy, we work year round to raise awareness about ways to prevent, report and stop child abuse in Gratiot County. Since 1985, April has been nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month, as you are traveling around Gratiot County, you may spot blue pinwheels blooming along with the daffodils. The blue pinwheel is the recognized symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. It also symbolizes the belief that every child has the right to grow and flourish to their full potential in a nurturing environment.
In addition to pinwheel gardens, Child Advocacy is promoting events and activities to raise awareness about child abuse prevention throughout the month:
- Blue Mondays (April 3, 10, 17, 24) - Wear the color blue and/or a blue ribbon.
- Car Seat Safety Check (April 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m.) - Free car seat inspections, assessments, and installations at the new Mercantile Bank location on Wright Avenue in Alma.
- Alumni Basketball Game (April 21, 7:00 p.m.) - Alma High School hosts Ithaca High School. All proceeds directly benefit Child Advocacy's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention programming.
- Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day (April 27, 11:00 a.m.) - Join advocates from throughout Michigan at the State Capitol.
- Blue Sunday (April 30th): National day of prayer; encouraging churches to say a prayer for abused/neglected children and their families.
For more information on events and activities for Child Abuse Prevention Month, contact Child Advocacy at 989-463-1422.
Children's Advocacy Center Advocacy Day
Since the establishment of the Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County, Child Advocacy has been a member of the Michigan Chapter of the National Children's Alliance*. The Chapter works to promote the development, growth and best practices of Children's Advocacy Centers in Michigan. That effort includes educating our state government about the role CACs play to ensure a comprehensive, multidisciplinary response to child abuse.
On March 21, Children's Advocacy Centers from throughout the state traveled to Lansing and took part in the 3rd Annual Child Advocacy Day at the Capitol. The purpose of the event is to familiarize elected officials and policy makers with the services we provide and to explain how those services support a broader effort to counter child abuse. Child Advocacy staff (Audra Stahl, Heather Therrien and CMU intern Taylor Allen) met with State Senator Judy Emmons as well as representatives from the Attorney General's Office and the office of State Representative Jim Lower.
We also met Governor Rick Snyder as he signed Senate Bill 1021 into law. Senate Bill 1021 amends the Child Protection Law to include Children's Advocacy Centers among agencies who currently share information during the investigation of child abuse cases.
Child Advocacy works consistently throughout the year to ensure our elected representatives are kept apprised of our activities and accomplishments. This includes invitations to tour our offices and the Children's Advocacy Center, meet our staff, and learn more about our programs.
*The National Children's Alliance is the accrediting agency for Children's Advocacy Centers throughout the United States.
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Trivia Night The Sequel
(2017 Trivia Night The Sequel Winners!
20 Plus Diplomas but only 4 Right Answers.)
Trivia Night was a huge success!! Packed house, lots of food, and lots of fun!! Thank you to everyone who came out and played. Special thanks to the Elks, Topher Goggin, Sam's Club, Litwiller Catering, Wal-Mart, 95.3 CFX, and our volunteers who did the running.
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Alcohol Awareness
By: Ty Warczinsky
GCSAC Program Director
April is alcohol awareness month. Alcohol is a tough subject to breech because it is a legal substance, yet it comes with so many risks: binge drinking, drinking and driving, using alcohol to cope with stress, underage drinking, alcoholism, alcohol poisoning, and more. Its dangers lie in the reality that it is a socially accepted recreational drug that many use and are even pressured to use on a regular basis. There is a fine line between fun with friends and dangerous drinking.
Every spring, as the school year draws to an end, high school and college students have much to celebrate; prom and graduation parties are just two examples. Along with the fun comes the risk of students engaging in risky behavior including the use of alcohol. As we are all aware, countless lives have been taken or ruined due to the choice to drink or to drink and drive. I encourage parents, mentors, and especially peers to talk to these people about responsible choices. Give them a safe way out of peer pressure or tempting situations. Let's all do our parts in reminding one another just how dangerous drinking can be if not done responsibly.
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Scheduled Classes
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Tuesday, April 11
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
East Superior Christian Church - Alma
Please call our office at (989) 463-1422 to register for the class.
Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Meeting
Monday, April 10
1:00 p.m.
Please call Sara at 989-463-1422 with any questions.
ACT Raising Safe Kids Program
Parents of Children 0-8 Years Old.
April 10, 12, 17, 19, & 26
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wilcox Non-Profit Center - Alma
To register for the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program contact Morgan Rooy at (989)463-1422 or morgan@linkforfamilies.org
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Greetings,
Every month I have such a hard time writing this little blurb. It will sound silly, but whenever I sit down to write this I reflect back on the past month, and I get really choked up. This happens to me every single month and I find it really hard to articulate my thoughts.
Here is what I want to say for April; Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention month, Alcohol Awareness Month, Month of the Young Child, etc...I want to simply say THANK YOU! Thank you to all of the people we work with who are doing their very best to better the lives of children and their families. Thank you to the staff at Child Advocacy for giving 100% all day every day to help combat these problems and heal those who are victims. Thank you to the Board of Directors who gives us the guidance, assistance, and support that we need to do this work. Thank you to all of the people who give us financial support. Thank you to every person who walks through our door looking for the help they need, we know that takes guts!! Thank you for reading this newsletter and staying informed. We truly can not do what we do without all of you.
From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!!
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
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