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May is National Foster Care Month
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May is National Foster Care Month, when we pay special attention to the more than 400,000 children and youth in foster care - over 13,000 that came through foster care in Michigan last year. There's an overwhelming need for individuals, families and communities to become involved as foster parents, respite providers, volunteers or mentors of children who need an adult role model.
The National Foster Care Month website is full of resources to help support children, youth and their families, especially those involved in foster care. Some ways to help include the following:
- Becoming a foster parent
- Volunteering as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children
- Being a mentor or "supportive adult" in a youth's life
- Joining or hosting a fundraising event
- Donating services, goods, computers, etc. to older youth in foster care
- Lending a hand to help current foster parents and caregivers with their day-to-day needs
Visit the section dedicated to communities and take the opportunity to learn more about how to become a foster parent or find other ways to contribute to the positive development of children and youth involved with foster care.
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Peter Alle
Board of Directors Spotlight
Peter Alle joined the board of directors in May of 2016.
Peter is currently on his second case as a CASA, which he has been working on for approximately five years. Peter has been working as a family law attorney for about seven years. He works for his father, James Alle, who has been practicing family law for almost forty-two years. Together, they are always trying to make sure that they are doing some work to benefit the community. Practicing the type of law that they do (primarily focusing on divorce and child custody), there is always opportunity to help others in what seems to be the some of the most difficult times of people's lives.
When Peter first learned about MI CASA, it was an instant easy fit. "MI CASA just seemed to be a natural extension of my work, an extension that focuses on my favorite part of the job, helping children that truly need our help". As a board member, Peter's goal is to help more people learn about MI CASA and what a unique opportunity MI CASA provides an individual to help change a life. If more people knew about MI CASA, Peter believes that a larger number of people would volunteer their time to help children through the unique avenue MI CASA presents.
Peter hopes to see MI CASA provide an additional level of support to children that don't have support systems in their lives. MI CASA provides a child with a mentor figure, but also a positive minded individual to bring a voice to each child's Court hearing. His two primary hopes for MI CASA are that: 1) MI CASA can continue to gain recognition among people who may have the time and care to share with children in need; and 2) more courts begin to utilize MI CASA, placing volunteers into the lives of children who can use our help.
Peter and his father practice law out of Grosse Pointe. The Law Office of James Alle extends from Wayne County to Oakland and Macomb. One of Peter's best decisions he has ever made was moving to downtown Detroit around two years ago. He loves the city and loves watching the incredible progress that seems to be taking place overnight. Peter is also a Detroit sports fan, which is a great source of contention for him and his CASA Child a (he is a Cleveland Cavaliers fan) He is hoping that with time and some dedicated mentoring, he can convert him into a hometown supporter!
We are so lucky to have you with us, Peter!
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Celebrate this Mother's Day by Making a Donation to Michigan's Most Vulnerable Children
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If you are one of the lucky ones who grew up surrounded by love, thank your mother and honor her by passing on those gifts to children who are less fortunate. This Mother's Day, give a gift that gives back. Your donation will help us provide a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Michigan; someone who will spend time and provide a steady, nurturing voice. Together let's make sure every child learns the right lesson and grows up to be the greatest teacher of all - MOM (or DAD)!
Donate today in Mom's honor receive one of the following gifts:
$25 & Over:
Special CASA Mother's Day Card
$50 & Over:
Special CASA Mother's Day card acknowledging your donation
Dan Babin's book, It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child
$100 & Over:
Special CASA Mother's Day card acknowledging your donation
Dan Babin's book, It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child
Michigan CASA pin and pen
$150 & Over:
Special CASA Mother's Day card acknowledging your donation
Dan Babin's book, It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child
Michigan CASA pin and pen
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"A tremendous demand exists for foster parents and families across the country. Together as a Nation, we must raise awareness about this need and inspire volunteers to step forward and invest in the lives of our Nation's youth through our foster care system"
Read more of the Presidential Proclamation of Foster Care Month
here
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Cherish Every Child Michigan CASA Fundraiser
RSVP soon!
Registration closes on May 16th
.
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]
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Empowering Caregivers, Strengthening Families
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Empowering Caregivers, Strengthening Families is
the theme of National Foster Care Month 2017. Foster parents, when they have solid support and access to resources, can positively impact the lives of the children they care for in powerful and far-reaching ways. Michigan CASA is committed to offering resources to child welfare professionals, foster parents, and kinship caregivers so they can help the children in their care.
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May MCPAT Meeting
Thanks to all who attended our MCPAT meeting on May 9. We had an excellent presentation from Leslie O'Reilly, VOCA Program Specialist. If you were unable to attend, please see the recap circulating in Google group. Email [email protected] with questions.
Next meeting to be announced soon!
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Michigan CASA at Michigan's Prevention Awareness Day at the Capitol
Michigan CASA, along with Gratiot, Genessee, and Livingston, Barry/Eaton CASA all attended Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day at the Capitol last month. It was great to see all the local organizations so passionate about ending and preventing child abuse and neglect. You can make a difference!
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May CASA Events:
May 9th: 10 AM - 2:00 PM: MCPAT Meeting in Lansing
May 18: 6:00 PM: CASA Blanca Gala Honoring Ingham County Chief Juvenile Referee Megan Mertens. Look
here for more information.
May 20th: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Monroe County CASA Forget Me Not Fun Run and 5k. Run/Walk for abused and neglected children (1 mile Fun Run for kids) at Custer Airport! Online Registration at SignMeUp.com. Look
here for more details!
May 23rd:
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Michigan CASA Cherish Every Child Fundraiser. Join us for a night of advocacy,
cocktails
, and knowledge with keynote speaker Antwone Fisher at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids. Visit www.michigancasa.org for tickets and details
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