|
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
|
|
Throughout the month of April, Michigan Court Appointed Special Advocates is calling on members of the community to help our program serve more of Michigan's most vulnerable children.
At any given time, there are 15,000 children in foster care in the state of Michigan. These children come into the child welfare system through no fault of their own.
Michigan CASA is urging you and your loved ones to get involved this April. Your advocacy will change the life of a child who has been abused or neglected.
- Purchase Dan Babin's "It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child, One CASA's Perspective" - 100% of the proceeds go directly to Michigan CASA's mission! Purchase here.
- Become a CASA Volunteer - We are currently located in 26 counties state-wide, check out our County Program page to locate the one closest to you!
- Participate in our upcoming Cherish Every Child Fundraiser - Antwone Fisher will be our keynote speaker for a night of advocacy, conversation, and food. Registration and event details below.
- Donate to Michigan CASA - Making a donation to Michigan CASA allows you to support the organization's work even if you don't have time to volunteer.
- Participate in a local CASA Event - CASA events are a great way to support your local programs, check out our Upcoming Events calendar for events near you.
Without intervention, the odds are stacked against children in foster care. A child with a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer, however,
will leave the foster care system two-and-a-half months earlier
, on average, compared to a child without a CASA volunteer. Studies show children with a CASA volunteer
receive more services that are critical to their well-being
than children without an advocate, and those children are more likely to
achieve educational success
.
|
|
Reverend Robert Dean
Board of Directors Spotlight
Reverend Dean joined the Board of Directors in 2015, when old co-worker and friend, Dan Babin, reached out to him after more than 30 years without contact. Before joining the Board, Rev. Dean had not been involved with Michigan CASA, but had heard of the program on numerous occasions in court hearings.
Although Reverend Dean has been a pastor for over 37 years, he has a vast background in public service. He was elected to the Grand Rapids Public School Board, where he spent seven years serving and advocating on behalf of youth populations, including as School Board President. Shortly after, Rev. Dean was elected to Grand Rapids City Commissioner, and only resigned to run for a higher office- the State Legislator. While in the State House, Dean sat on the Commerce, Education, Families and Children's Services, and Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committees.
Reverend Dean has always been motivated by helping the voiceless and vulnerable. He brings a compassionate understanding, that being the product of a dysfunctional home is something that can change one's life completely. He hopes for CASA to become a household name. He wishes it to become so well-known, that everyone knows of the program nation-wide. He says with the impending budget cuts to the DHHS, it is his hope that CASA programs will be depended upon to play a bigger role. He wishes for CASA to provide services to all children who need the help. But in the meantime, Rev. Dean knows that even changing one life is well worth the fight.
Rev. Dean has received two honorary doctorate degrees, and is receiving another in June. He is an avid traveler, and has visited over 39 different countries (53 if you count some twice) and has found that Israel, Japan, and China have been some of his favorite to visit. He is also a history buff and loves to read. He has been married to his wife Betty for 43 years, and appreciates how she keeps him grounded and centered.
We are so lucky to have you with us, Reverend Dean! Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Cherish Every Child Michigan CASA Fundraiser
Join us for a night of conversation, knowledge, and food. We are excited to have Antwone Fisher as our keynote Speaker for our
Cherish Every Child Fundraiser on May 23rd!
Today, Antwone Fisher is an American screenwriter, poet, lecturer, best-selling author, and advocate. His advocacy work includes book-writing, public speaking, play writing, and even testifying before the Senate Finance Committee on behalf of Child Welfare. The work he has done is invaluable, and his words are not to be missed.
Cocktails, refreshments, and dinner will be provided by the Downtown Market Grand Rapids. The Fundraiser will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., and the program and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
For more information and registration for the event, click here
If you have any questions, or would like
to
sponsor the event, please
contact
[email protected]
|
|
Program Director Spotlight: Cathy Weirick
Kathy has been the Executive Director of Kent County CASA for a year and a half, but her involvement with CASA goes back almost 20 years! She began her career by starting the CASA program at Safe Harbor Children's Advocacy Center in Allegan County Michigan in 1998. Kathy is passionate about CASA because of the role and impact CASA volunteers have on abused and neglected children's lives. She states that "There are very few volunteer programs where individuals, using their common sense and compassion, can make such a big difference in a child's life. They become significant because they stay with the child throughout their whole journey living in the foster care system, when others may leave them."
Kathy is proud to celebrate CASA of Kent County's 25th year in 2017! The program was started in 1991 by what was then the juvenile court judges and had its first set of active volunteers start in 1992. CASA of Kent County annually advocates on behalf of about 20% of the abused and neglected children living in foster care.
As the
new Executive Director, Kathy has some great plans and goals that she is already implementing. Kathy wants to grow the program so that more of Kent County's foster children have a voice in their lives and in the courts, and have that one person they can rely on from the beginning of their life in foster care to the end. She is also putting her program through an intensive strategic planning process, getting input and feedback from all of CASA's stakeholders. With this information, the program is reviewing and revising their Vision and Mission and publishing a 3-5-year strategic plan.
Kathy grew up in Southwest Michigan and graduated from MSU with a pre-law undergraduate degree and graduate degree in Public Administration. Although she loves Grand Rapids, she enjoys her drive home to retreat to small town life.
She has always loved children and all kinds of animals, owning two dogs and three cats. She also loves elephants, and turtles and horses, goats and pigs. If she was not working as a child advocate, she would own a sanctuary with all sorts of animals!
CASA of Kent County is lucky to have you Cathy!
|
|
|
|
May MCPAT Meeting
Thanks to all who attended our MCPAT meeting in February. We had two excellent presentations from Janet Snyder, Executive Director of Michigan Federation for Children and Families, and Renee Gonzales from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. If you were unable to attend, please see the recap circulating in Google group.
The next meeting is scheduled 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., May 9, 2017!
|
|
|
| National Child Abuse Prevention Month Events |
|
Michigan's Prevention Awareness Day at the Capitol
The Children's Trust Fund is putting on a rally, procession, and planting of a pinwheel garden at the state capital in downtown Lansing, Michigan to show support for child abuse prevention programs. Michigan CASA will again be participating and will be sending out information to the local CASA programs about meeting times, banners and messaging!
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 27, 2017
Michigan State Capital, 110 N. Capital, Lansing, MI
|
|
|
|
Visit the Pinwheel Garden Honoring Kent County Children
Visit the Pinwheel Garden honoring Kent County Children in foster care.
The pinwheel is the nationally recognized symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. It also symbolizes the belief that every child has the right to grow and flourish to full potential within a nurturing environment.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 134 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
|
|
|
|
Check out our Five Steps to Becoming a CASA Volunteer
|
 |
|
Step 1: Look to See Which Local CASA Programs are in your Area.
Check out our
County Programs page, to choose the location most convenient to you. We are currently located in 26 different counties around Michigan.
Step 2: Contact your Local CASA Program.
Your local program will interview you and ask you to fill out an application.
Step 3: Complete a Background Check.
CASA volunteers undergo a thorough background check to ensure that our children are in good hands. Volunteers cannot have a record of certain criminal offenses, like child abuse, neglect, or any sexual offenses.
Step 4: Complete CASA Training.
Volunteers must complete a training of 30 hours. This training equips our volunteers with knowledge of child abuse, juvenile law, and court structure. CASA training prepares you to be a strong advocate for our children.
Step 5: Take your Oath Before a Judge.
Congratulations! You've become a sworn CASA volunteer. Now you are ready to be appointed to a child who desperately needs your help.
|
|
|
|
April CASA Events:
April 18th: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM - CASA of Kent County Spring New Volunteer Training Course Begins.
To learn more about volunteering, contact [email protected]. Training is located at
Kent County Courthouse, 5th Floor, 180 Ottawa Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
April 19th: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM - CASA of Kent County Annual Luncheon. Join us for lunch and learn about our mission! No cost to attend, please RSVP to [email protected].
April 29th: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM - 2017 Clinton County CASA Superhero 5K Run, Walk or Fly! This is a fun, family event for all ages and abilities! All participants are encouraged to wear a Superhero costume, t-shirt, and cape! Located at Saint Johns City Park, 805 W Park St, St Johns, MI 48879
|
|
