Greetings!
Child Advocacy has big changes happening in the month of November! Please visit www.ChildAdvocacy.net to check out our new website, drive by 515 N. State St. in Alma to see our new building, and listed in the staff section on the left are new staff emails.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter,
Staci Bigelow
Volunteer/Event Coordinator
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Child Advocacy Virtual November
Lunch & Learn
Thursday, November 5, 2020
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Please email Staci at staci@childadvocacy.net or call (989)463-1422 to RSVP for the event. The event link will be emailed to those who RSVP closer to the event date.
Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Virtual Meeting
Monday, November 9, 2020
1:00 p.m.
Caregiver Support Group Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
6:00 p.m.
CASA Info Session
November 19, 2020
9: 00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
If you would like to learn more about this program or attend our next CASA Volunteer Training, please attend our next Information Session!
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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DARKNESS TO LIGHT Steward's of
Children Virtual Training
Thursday, November 19, 2020
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Registration required and limited to 15 participants. Contact Morgan Rooy at 989-463-1422 or morgan@childadvocacy.net by 10/26/2020 to reserve your space.
Child Advocacy Fall Raffle
Drawing: November 20, 2020
11:30 a.m.
Tickets are $5.00. First ticket drawn has choice of 32'' TV or GMC Denali Power Wheel.
Drawing will be held at 515 N. State St. Alma, you do not need to be present to win.
Please call (989)463-1422 for information on how to purchase tickets.
Child Advocacy United Way November Match Campaign
United Way will match every donation designated to Child Advocacy during the month of November, up to $10,000.
Text to give: Text CAGC to 41444
Please donate to help support our programs and services offered to thousands of children & families in Gratiot County!
For more information on upcoming events and trainings please see detailed flyers below or visit our website at ChildAdvocacy.net
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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
President & CEO
audra@childadvocacy.net
Pam Mahin
Office Manager
pam@childadvocacy.net
Staci Bigelow
Event/Volunteer Coordinator
staci@childadvocacy.net
Ty Warczinsky
GCSAC Program Director
ty@childadvocacy.net
Emily Rayburn
GCSAC Coordinator
emily@childadvocacy.net
Sara Krebs
GCSAC Prevention
Coordinator
sara@childadvocacy.net
Lexi Morton
GCSAC Prevention Educator
lexi@childadvocacy.net
Morgan Rooy
CAN Program Director
morgan@childadvocacy.net
Richelle Davis
CAN Prevention Educator
richelle@childadvocacy.net
Michelle Zombeck
CASA Program Director
michelle@childadvocacy.net
Rachel Molands
CASA Recruitment Coordinator
rachel@childadvocacy.net
Heather Therrien
CAC Program Director
heather@childadvocacy.net
Jennifer Stambaugh
CAC Victim Advocate
jennifer@childadvocacy.net
Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager
nicole@childadvocacy.net
Nikky Holton
CAC Intake Coordinator
nikky@childadvocacy.net
Board of Directors
President
Carolyn Studley
Community
Representative
Vice President
Jennifer Leppien
Community Representative
Secretary
Garth Anderson
Commercial Bank
Treasurer
Sara Bonacci
Community
Representative
Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Jim Dubey
Garr Tool
Rob DuHadway
DuHadway Dance Dimensions
Andrew Fias
Michigan State Police
Tammy Halfmann
Mercantile Bank
David Justin
Alma School Board
John Morey
CPA
Mike Morris
Gratiot County Sheriff
Alison Morrison
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Jennifer Siefker
Tri-Lakes Petroleum
Michelle Stillwagon
Gratiot Integrated Health Network
Katie Tobias
Katie Tobias State Farm
Annette Weller-Collison
Kahn Consulting, INC.
Mark Williams
Alma Public Safety Administrator
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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 Please see new carseat guidelines on our website.
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Partnerships Critical to
CAC Services
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Gratiot County (CAC) does not work in a vacuum to counter child abuse, but rather in partnership with a multidisciplinary team of professionals from throughout the county. These agencies – law enforcement, the Prosecutors Office, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Gratiot Integrated Health Network and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital-Center for Child Protection – consistently convene to coordinate investigations and provide support to victims and their families.
Since 2013, coordinated forensic interviews of children and victim advocacy for families have been conducted in the CAC, a little brown building located behind the Wilcox Non-Profit Center. That quaint structure quietly featured a nationally accredited set-up that allowed for the conduct of confidential, legally sound, developmentally appropriate child and adolescent forensic interviews for allegations of child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, drug endangerment and exposure to violence.
In September, the CAC doors were closed for the last time to make way for infrastructure supporting Child Advocacy’s new building. The new facility will house a modernized Children’s Advocacy Center with the latest technology for conducting forensic interviews along with improved spaces for families to await services, the addition of a therapy room and space for support groups, and a fully equipped medical suite.
In order to maintain services to child victims in Gratiot County until the building is complete, CAC staff have been working with the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Police Department to continue providing forensic interviews and initial victim advocacy utilizing several spaces within St. Louis City Hall. To date, services have been provided to over 30 children (and their families) as a result of the support and collaboration offered by the St. Louis Police Department, the willingness of our multidisciplinary team members to adapt, and the generosity offered by the City of St. Louis. We are grateful for the contributions made by all members of the multidisciplinary team as we await the completion of our new home and are deeply appreciative of the supportive partnerships that are critical to countering child abuse in our community.
Heather Therrien
Children's Advocacy Center Program Director
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Determined to be a Voice
for Children during a
National Pandemic
The Merrian-Webster definition of preserve is to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement. This word delineates the character of the individuals that were virtually sworn in on October 26, 2020 as new CASA volunteer advocates.
By nature, a CASA volunteer advocate is a very special and unique individual. They voluntarily sign up to do something that many in our community would not dare do even if they were paid.
A CASA volunteer advocate will maintain family, work, school, other responsibilities and sign up to advocate for a child in need. They will spend over 40 hours interviewing, preparing and training. They will research, educate and collaborate so they can ensure a child’s voice is heard. They will plan, coordinate and modify their own life to stand beside a child so they don’t feel alone.
With all that a CASA volunteer undertakes they still raise their hand and say what more can I do? During a National Pandemic, they have become even more creative; they have brainstormed and found new ways to keep a connection with the children they serve. When many of us were worried about our safety, they were worried about the welfare of their assigned kids.
Child Advocacy is honored to introduce to you CASA of Gratiot Counties newly sworn in volunteer advocates William Boleman, Alicia Crowe and Chase Rotman. These three individuals stepped forward and decided that during a National Pandemic that they needed to advocate for children. They decided that they were going to persevere through the challenges of doing an online training that was created to be in person. They were steadfast and kept their eye on the vision of helping children in need.
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William Boleman lives in Mt. Pleasant with his partner and two rescue animals. William has a Masters in Children’s Literature and is currently furloughed as the Education Coordinator for the Alden B Dow and HH Dow Museums. He is also an adjunct professor for Montcalm Community College. William joins the CASA ranks with his sister who is a CASA Volunteer Advocate in Texas. William enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling. William has been described as compassionate, driven and kindhearted.
When William answered the question why he wanted to become a CASA volunteer, he responded, “To help make a difference in a child’s life, and to become a part of a community that puts concern into action.”
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Alicia Crowe lives in St. Louis with her husband and four wonderful children. She is a devoted parent, educator and animal lover. Alicia enjoys teaching, coaching, and mentoring. Some of Alicia’s favorite hobbies include running, cooking and traveling. Alicia believes in hard work and being a positive influence for others. Alicia has been described as being compassionate, confident and driven to make a difference.
When Alicia answered the question why she wanted to become a CASA volunteer, she responded, “I became a CASA because I have witnessed firsthand the need for children to have someone advocate for them and be their voice. I am a firm believer that one person can make all the difference for another. I think when you know better, you do better, and I love to help others grow and see their abilities and potential.”
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Chase Rotman lives in Mt. Pleasant with his wife and works in St. Louis as the Discipleship Minister at Coe Church of Christ. Chase has a Masters in Divinity in Spiritual Formation and is a reserve military chaplain. Chase loves CrossFit, working with children and studying theology. Chase has a passion for helping others and is self motivated. Chase has been described as a visionary, patient and caring.
When Chase answered the question why he wanted to become a CASA volunteer, he responded, “I see the needs of children at our church and realized there are likely many more who need someone to be an advocate for them.”
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“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
~ Barack Obama
Learn how you can become more involved with CASA by clicking here.
Michelle Zombeck
Court Appointed Special Advocates Program Director
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Greetings,
I am so excited to announce that while you are reading this newsletter our staff is moving into our brand new building! To say we have been blessed is an understatement. To be able to serve children and their families in a brand new space that is 100% funded by the community is truly amazing. We can not begin to thank all of you for your support throughout the years and helping us with this enormous project.
Please continue to follow our Facebook page for updates on ribbon cutting, open house, and tours for the new facility. With COVID restrictions and staff working to settle into the new space we are planning on hosting events after the first of the new year. We are very excited to share our new space with you in 2021.
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
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