July 2021
Greetings!

Nom Nom Ninja food truck is returning to Child Advocacy on July 22nd and we hope you can join us that day for lunch! We will also have our Mobile Prescription Dropbox available while you wait for your lunch. Please bring outdated or unused prescriptions to the drop box. Proper disposal of medications keep our community safe. Please see the complete flyer and list of other events below.


Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter,
Staci Bigelow
Volunteer/Event Coordinator 
Check out our website www.childadvocacy.net.
Child Advocacy Virtual
Lunch & Learn
Thursday, July 1, 2021
11:30 am - 1:00 p.m.

Please see the detailed flyer below for event information and registration details.

Caregiver Support Group Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
6:00 p.m.

Please email Morgan at morgan@childadvocacy.net for more information or for the presentation link.

Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Virtual Meeting
Monday, July 12, 2021
1:00 p.m.

Please email Emily at
emily@childadvocacy.net for the presentation link.

Virtual CASA Information Session
July 15, 2021
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 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!


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
DARKNESS TO LIGHT'S Stewards of
Children Virtual Training
July 21, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Registration required and limited to 15 participants. Contact Morgan Rooy at 989-463-1422 or morgan@childadvocacy.net to reserve your space.


Nom Nom Ninja Food Truck Fundraiser
July 22, 2021
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

GCSAC Mobile Prescription Dropbox will be at this event! See flyer below.

Please come join us for lunch and help support Child Advocacy.
For more information on upcoming events and trainings please see detailed flyers below or visit our website at ChildAdvocacy.net
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

Tristan Villalobos
GCSAC Prevention Educator
tristan@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

Michelle Bartnik
Gratiot Integrated Health Network Therapist

Amber Rudd
Central Michigan University Social Work Intern
Summer Safety Tips

The 2021 school year is officially over, commencing the start of summer vacation! Summer is a time for children to enjoy the beautiful weather and gather with family and friends. Child sexual abuse is something that, unfortunately, occurs 365 days a year. Here are a few tips for caregivers to utilize in an effort to protect children from sexual abuse this summer.

  • promote an open-door policy within your home. This means that all doors within the home remain open while children are playing.

  • be sure to check in on the children while they are playing.

  • if your child is spending time in another home, be sure that they know to contact you if they feel uncomfortable or want to come home. It is encouraged to create a safe word for your child. This word could be something as simple as “apple” that when used, you know that they don’t feel safe and would like to come home. This allows for the child to discretely alert the caregiver, without becoming embarrassed around their peers.

  • after your child visits another home, have a conversation with them. Check in and ask what they enjoyed, what was the best part of their day, and make sure that everyone respected each other.

It is essential that caregivers have conversations with their children about body safety and respect. If children feel that they can have an open conversation with the adults in their life, it could protect them from being taken advantage of.

Child Advocacy offers an amazing training, Darkness to Light, that is targeted at any adult that wants to learn more about protecting children from sexual abuse. If you are interested in this training or learning more about how to protect children please contact Child Advocacy at 989-463-1422 or visit our Facebook page for information on upcoming Darkness to Light training dates.

Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager

Greetings,
I hope you are having a nice and relaxing summer. As the COVID-19 restrictions continue to lift we are excited to fully return to business as usual. Despite the pandemic this has been an exciting time for our staff as we have spent almost 9 months now in our new building. We look forward to sharing our space with you in August with an open house (stay tuned for details). Follow our Facebook page for day to day updates on events, trainings, and the Baby Pantry. Enjoy the rest of your summer and Happy Independence Day from all of us!

Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
Child Advocacy Flyers