|
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
Pam Mahin
Office Manager
Staci Bigelow
Event/Volunteer Coordinator
Ty Warczinsky
GCSAC Program Director
Emily Whipple
GCSAC Coordinator
Sara Krebs
GCSAC Prevention
Coordinator
Alexa Morton
GCSAC Prevention Educator
Morgan Rooy
CAN Program Director
Richelle Davis
CAN Prevention Educator
Jennifer Leppien
CAN Parenting Coach
Michelle Zombeck
CASA Program Director
Rachel Letsche
CASA Recruitment Coordinator
CAC Program Director
Jennifer Stambaugh
CAC Victim Advocate
Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager
Nikky Holton
CAC Intake Coordinator
Board of Directors
President
Carolyn Studley
Community
Representative
Vice President
Steve Vernon
Gratiot Integrated Health Network
Secretary
Jamie Richardson
Doehring Schultz Insurance Agency
Treasurer
Sara Bonacci
Community
Representative
Garth Anderson
Commercial Bank
Brett Baublitz
Transportation Director/City of Alma
Annette Weller-Collison
Kahn Consulting, INC.
Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Jim Dubey
Garr Tool
Rob DuHadway
DuHadway Dance Dimensions
Tammy Halfmann
Mercantile Bank
David Justin
Alma School Board
John Morey
CPA
Mike Morris
Gratiot County Undersheriff
Alison Morrison
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Jennifer Siefker
Mark Williams
Alma Public Safety Administrator
Kim Vetter
Michigan State Police
|
| 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.
|
|
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.
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Breckenridge Police Dept.
104 E. Saginaw St.
8:00 a.m.- 5:00
p.m.
Monday - Friday
St. Louis Police Dept.
300 N. Mill St.
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 Boxes
Bottled Water
Baby Pantry
Infant Formula
(yellow can)
Gentle Formula
(purple can)
Size 5, 6, & Newborn Diapers
Baby Gates
Newborn Outfits
Training Pants
Baby Wipes
Door Knob Covers
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!
We thank you for the free use of the materials in your Lending Library! The Lending Library is an incredible resource for our community!
Children's Discovery Academy
|
|
|
|
Step into summer with our June newsletter! This month we share the Child Advocacy award recipients and some great program articles from our team here at Child Advocacy.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter,
Staci Bigelow
Volunteer/Event Coordinator
|
Summer Hours
Starting the week of June 10
Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Limited staff on Fridays, please call ahead.
Car seats are by appointment only.
|
|
Above the Influence
Submitted by: Lexi Morton
GCSAC Prevention Educator
Above the Influence (ATI) is a National Campaign and the Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition collaborates with area schools to provide this amazing program to our Gratiot County schools. ATI is designed to bring awareness of positive and negative influences that can affect the youth in our communities. It provides students with the tools and education they need to rise above any negative influences they may have in their lives.
Each year, students have the opportunity to vote for the Above the Influencer award. These award winners are recognized by their peers for striving to stay above the influence in all areas of their lives. This year's award winners are not only leaders to their peers, but they are also leaders in the ATI programs. As the school year wraps up, I am thankful for the leadership these ATI students have shown and I am excited for the others to continue to be leaders in our ATI groups and their schools. The youth of Gratiot County are our future, and these six students are great agents of change.
Emma Belles: Ithaca High School Varsity Volleyball, basketball, softball. She is also a part of her church group, peer to peer, student council, Above the Influence and National Honor Society. According to her peers, Emma is an incredible supporter; she is always positive, always finds a way to make people smile and is constantly going out of her way to help others. Emma is always looking at the positive things in life.
Finn Rondy: Ithaca High School Varsity Track and Field, Soccer, peer to peer and Above the Influence. Finn is recognized by his peers for always having positive attitude and outlook, he is a major encourager and is always looking to help people in need. Finn is known to be friends with everyone, and supports all team sports and programs. His peers stated that if you need a good laugh, or a smile, Finn is great at helping with that.
Ashley Gavenda: Ashley High School Varsity basketball, volleyball, cross-county, Model UN, English Language Arts, Student Council, National Honor Society and Above the Influence. She is also a part of her youth group Teen Leadership Council. Ashley is known by her peers as someone who is very responsible, she is a great leader and role model to students of all ages. Ashley is caring and will do anything to help anyone.
Noah Drummond: Ashley High School Varsity Football and baseball, as well as band, student council, National Honor Society, Lions of Michigan All State band, Above the Influence, and his churches local youth group. Noah is recognized by his peers for always being there for others, whether they are older or younger than him. Noah is always kind, and very responsible.
Abby Bates: Alma High School Varsity Cross-Country and Soccer as well as travel ball. She has been a part of student council for the past four years and serves on the executive board. She is a member of the class board and served as vice president for her grade for two years, as well as a member of youth advisory council. Abby's is known for always doing the right thing, for always being willing to help others and going above and beyond in the classroom.
Marcus Owen Jr.: Alma High School Varsity football, basketball and baseball where he serves as a captain for the football team. He is a member of the Business Professionals of America Program as well as Above the Influence. His junior year he was a part of the Renaissance team and currently participates on his Senior Class Board. Marcus Enjoys volunteering at Alma United Methodist Church and is an active member of his churches breakfast club. Marcus is well-known for his kind heart, his leadership skills in all areas of his life and for his positivity and being committed to his values.
|
|
2019 Child Advocacy Banquet
Child Advocate Organization of the Year, GARR TOOL.
Child Advocate of the Year, Eric Huff.
Outgoing Board Members - Joe Yourchock, Jennifer Leppien, and Matt Schooley.
Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Award Winner, Beacon & Bridge Market in Downtown Ithaca.
Positive Influencer Award Winners,
Ashley Gavenda(Ashley), Abby Bates(Alma), and Emma Belles(Ithaca).
Congratulations Jennifer Leppien for 10 years of service to the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.
Thank you Arlene Nyman for 20 years of service
to the Baby Pantry.
|
Scheduled Classes
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Who: Non-biological caregivers (foster, adoptive, kinship, etc.) and their children.
Where: East Superior Christian Church (605 E. Superior St. Alma, MI)
When: Tuesday, June 11th 6:00-8:00 p.m. (the second Tuesday of every month)
Why: Because parenting is one of the most difficult jobs and having support from others is crucial. Did we mention free childcare and snacks?!
Please call our office t
o RS
VP at (989)4
63-1422 or email morgan
@linkforfamilies.org.
Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Meeting
Monday, June 10th
1:00 p.m.
MidMichigan Medical Center Gratiot - Wilcox Auditorium
Please call Emily at 989-463-1422 with any questions.
The Baby Pantry
Every Wednesday
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wilcox Non-Profit Building - Alma
For more information about the Baby Pantry please contact Morgan Rooy at (989)463-1422.
1st Thursday of every month
Alma Public Library
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
June 6th - Cyber-bullying
July 4th - no presentation, enjoy your holiday.
August 1st - Childhood Trauma and Brain Development
Child Advocacy will be hosting monthly lunch & learns on a variety of topics. We hope you will join us. Please contact Child Advocacy to RSVP at (989)463-1422.
|
|
Happy Summer!
I am going to keep this short and sweet. Follow us on Facebook this summer, come visit us at the Baby Pantry, join us at a Lunch and Learn, or just stop in to say "Hi"!
We wish you a happy and safe summer!
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
|
|
| |
|
