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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
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 Represenative
Vice President
Secretary
Jamie Richardson
Doehring Schultz Insurance Agency
Treasurer
Sara Bonacci
Community
Represenative
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
Detective/Sgt. Gratiot Co. Sheriff's Dept.
Alison Morrison
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Jennifer Siefker
Steve Vernon
Gratiot Integrated Health Network
Mark Williams
Alma Public Safety Administrator
Joe Yourchock
CMHCM/Community Representative
Kim Vetter
Michigan State Police
Annette Collison
Kahn Consulting, INC.
Garth Anderson
Commercial Bank
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| Car Seat Safety |
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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 Please see new carseat guidelines on our website.
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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.
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.
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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 Boxes
Bottled Water
Baby Pantry
Cereal
Diapers Size 4, 5 & 6
Infant Formula
(yellow can)
Gentle Formula
(purple can)
Maternity Clothing
Quart Sized Bags
Training Pants
Wipes
Bibs
Bottles
Burp Cloths
Pacifiers
Newborn Clothing
Preemie Clothing
Safety Items
Spoons
Towels
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!
It has been a great semester interning with you. Thank you again for helping me get my hours in.
CMU Intern
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Happy New Year!
This month Child Advocacy is pleased to offer our Free Princess & Pirate Family Carnival & Expo to residents of Gratiot County. This event is a fun-filled day for all families. See details below.
Team tables are also available for our 1st Annual Adult Spelling Bee, come see what the BUZZ is all about!
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter,
Staci Bigelow
Volunteer/Event Coordinator
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Upcoming Events
Princess & Pirate Family Carnival & Expo
Saturday, January 26th, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Central Michigan Youth for Christ - Alma
FREE
admission to Gratiot County Residents! FREE refreshments! Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
FREE Kids
Activities FREE Information for families
- Make and take crafts - Special Princess & Pirate Guests
- Local Businesses - Prescription Drop Box
- games and prizes - Recreation organizations/clubs
For more information please contact Child Advocacy at (989)463-1422 or Staci
@linkforfamilies.org
or to register as a vendor please
click here
to print off a registration form.
Child Advocacy Adult Spelling Bee
Come and see what the BUZZ is all about!!!
Saturday, March 16th
Doors open at 6:30, Spelling begins at 7:30
Alma Elks Lodge #1400 - Alma
Eight Person Teams! Lightning Round with Top Spellers!
Appetizers! Cash Bar! Gift Basket Auction!
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New Court Appointed Special Advocates
Submitted by: Rachel Letsche
CASA Recruitment Coordinator
(Pictured left to right: Michelle Zombeck (CASA Program Director), Denise Reese, Judge Kristin Bakker, Julie Justice, and Kathleen Wardell)
Happy New Year! CASA of Gratiot County is pleased to introduce you to three new volunteers that were sworn in November 1st who have chosen to make their CASA journey this new year.
Julie Justice is going to school to become a social worker. Julie believes in hard work and being a positive influence for others. When asked why she became a volunteer, she said, "I want to be a voice for those that cannot do it for themselves." Julie has been described as kind-hearted, hardworking and having the drive to make a difference.
Kathleen Wardell spent the past 30 years as a teacher and administrator. Kathleen enjoys spending her time volunteering for the Howe Memorial Library, Merrill Footprints in Time Historical Society, and the Breckenridge/Wheeler Historical Society. When asked why she became a volunteer, she said, "It's important to make a positive difference." Kathy has been described as caring, encouraging and having the ability to adapt.
Denise Reese has spent the past 11 years working for Commercial Bank in Security. On a regular basis, she works with law enforcement, the court and public. When asked why she became a volunteer, she said, "these children are our future and I care." Denise has been described as kind, competent and motivated.
To celebrate, we invite you to attend one of our "CASA, Coffee, and Cookies" events! Come and learn how one caring adult can make a difference in the life of a child! Learn more information about Court Appointed Special Advocates, by contacting Rachel at Child Advocacy 989-463-1422 or
rachel@linkforfamilies.org
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You will receive an overview of the CASA program; learn why we need volunteers, details about the training process, and how to apply! Come to have all your questions answered!
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Department of Homeland Security Wear Blue Day
Submitted by: Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager
As the new year is getting started, Homeland Security is making efforts to shine a light on the issue of human trafficking. January is the designated month for human trafficking awareness, so Homeland Security started a campaign to raise awareness to this growing issue. The Blue Campaign was launched in hopes to bring recognition to the issue of human trafficking and encourage collaboration between law enforcement, government, non-government, and private organizations to protect the basic rights of individuals. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized on January 11th of each year and Homeland Security is asking everyone to wear
BLUE
on this day and share those photos to social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay to continue to raise awareness.
We encourage everyone to partake in Wear Blue Day by sending Child Advocacy pictures of yourself, your coworkers, your family, your pets wearing blue and we will share them on our Facebook page with the hashtag #WearBlueDay.
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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, January 8th 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 Rachel
@linkforfamilies.org.
Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Meeting
Monday, January 14th
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.
Lunch & Learn
1st Thursday of the Month
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Alma Public Library
January 3rd - Body Safety Education
February 7th - Come learn about CASA!
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.
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Wow! There is a lot going on at Child Advocacy!
We hope you will join us at one or all of our events this winter. We are excited to be bringing back the Princess and Pirates Party and combining it with our FREE Family Carnival and Expo. It's going to be a great day of family fun!
As we reflect back on 2018 we would like to thank all of you for your continued support of Child Advocacy. We are able to help thousands of children and their families because of you and your support, so THANK YOU!!
We are looking forward to 2019! It's going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
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