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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 -
Executive Director Ronda Sorensen - Parent Educator Pam Mahin - Training Coordinator and Office Manager Brenda Shafley- Office Assistant
Glenn Thelen - GCSAC Coordinator
Kris Olejniczak - Prevention Educator
Board of Directors President - Kent Schulze Dept. of Human Services Vice President - Wes Wickes Youth for Christ Treasurer - Madonna Adkins EightCAP inc. Secretary -
Kim Vetter
MI State Police
Ithaca Post
Lori Apple
Comm. Mental Health - Isabella Co.
Kristin Bakker Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Wendy Currie
Mid Michigan Dist. Health Dept.
Toni Davis Women's Aid Service Rob DuHadway DuHadway Dance Dimensions Mike Hetzman
Comm. Mental Health - Gratiot Co. Retired-EightCAP inc. David Justin Alma School Board Dan Buschle Commercial Bank
Jennifer Leppien
CASA Volunteer
F/LT Chris Stolicker MI State Police
Mt. Pleasant Post
Carolyn Studley
Alma Middle School |
| 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 |
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Community Cafe | |
The Cafe provides a safe place for food, fellowship, inspir-ation, and encouragement for people experiencing hard times.
What: free weekly meal
When: Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church - Alma
Who: Everyone is welcome. Kid's Kafe at 4:15 p.m. has special activities for children (usually every other week)
For more informa-tion, please call the church office at
(989) 463-2940. | |
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Greetings!
Spring is in the air!
We have many exciting events planned for April. Make sure you mark your calendar to attend these memorable community events.
April is Child Abuse and Neglect month. Last year 32,225 children were abused and neglected in Michigan. That's 89 children every day!
April 29 is our Pinwheel Garden Ceremony to acknowledge child abuse cases in Gratiot County.
April is also Month of the Young Child. A child's early years are the foundation for growth and development. Children are constantly developing and learning. What they are learning depends on their physical health, social-emotional health, relationships, and daily interactions and experiences.
Lastly April is also Alcohol Awareness Month! With the Parent's who Host Lose the Most Campaign we will be working hard to spread the message that it is illegal to serve minors alcoholic beverages. Prom and Graduation season are upon us, "Don't be a party to teenage drinking."
Happy Spring!
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Effective parenting includes...
1. Showing children love, concern, and respect at all times.
2. Giving children a safe place to live and play.
3. Helping children express all their feelings appropriately and
listening to what they say.
4. Giving children appropriate choices whenever possible.
5. Having reasonable rules that are understood by all.
6. Being responsible and teaching children to be responsible.
7. Spending time with children.
8. Setting an example by what we say and do.
9. Working with our schools and communities to make them better for children.
10. Asking for help when we need it. |
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Child Advocate of the Year Ceremony
Please join us for a dessert buffet
as we present the following awards:
* Child Advocate of the Year
* Child Advocate Organization of the Year
* Youth Leadership in Child Advocacy
Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Youth for Christ Student Center
2550 W. Cheesman Road - Alma
Please R.S.V.P. by April 6 for seating
(989) 463-1422 or
audra@linkforfamilies.org |
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Charity Basketball Game
AHS Alumni Even Years
VS.
AHS Alumni Odd Years
April 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Alma High School Gymnasium
Alumni Pom-Pon squad will perform at Halftime!
Join us for a night of fun! Local celebrity players!
Half time entertainment! Children's games!
Tickets $5.00 available at the door
T-shirts $8.00 available at the game
Hosted by: Alma Middle School 8th grade Student Council
Proceeds to benefit: Child Advocacy's Child Abuse & Neglect Programs |
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Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition
(GCSAC)
This month, the GCSAC will begin Phase 3 efforts on the Parents Who Host, Lose the Most campaign, targeting the prom and graduation season. Several action plan goals have been identified by the coalition, including the opportunity for students to win one of three iPod prizes if they make a DRUG FREE pledge. Parents are also challenged not to provide alcohol to youth.
A free TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) class will be held on Wednesday, April 6 at Alma Public Library located at 351 N. Court Street.
There will be two classes. Off-premises sale of alcohol training is from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This class is designed for gas stations, convenience stores, and any "take out" businesses. On-premises sale of alcohol training is from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. This class is designed for restaurants, bars or other establishments which serve alcohol in a "sit down" environment.
Please register by March 30 by calling (989) 462-0142. |
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Pinwheel Garden Ceremony | |
Friday, April 29th from 2:00 p.m.-3:00p.m.
Join us for this meaningful
ceremony as we plant a pinwheel garden in recognition of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Gratiot County.
Wilcox Non-Profit Center
525 N. State Street - Alma
Small reception to follow ceremony | |
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Scheduled Classes
Aides/Relative Orientation
Great Start to Quality orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Maple Creek Golf Course in Shepherd.
Childcare Provider Training
Laughter: Children's Best Medicine is scheduled for April 7 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in Mt. Pleasant.
Interactions & Guidance, Observation, Documentation & Assessment is scheduled for April 28 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. at CMU. There is a $25.00 fee.
Parenting Classes
Nurturing Parenting Program - designed for parents and their school-age children (5 - 11 years old). The class starts April 7 for 10 consecutive Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church - St. Louis. A light meal will be served at 5:15 p.m.
All trainings and classes are FREE with the exception of the Interactions and Guidance Class at CMU. Please call our office at (989) 463-1422 to register or to get more information. |
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5K Fundraising Event and Bubble Party!
Event includes a 5K run, 5K walk,
1 mile fun run (for children 12 and under) and a toddler trot (for children 4 and under).
Fun for the whole family! Free Food, Gift Bags, Facepainting, and a Bubble Party!!
Saturday, May 7
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
1 Mile Fun Run/Toddler Trot begins at 9:30 a.m.
5K Run/5K Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Bubble Party begins at 10:00a.m.
Youth for Christ Student Center
2550 W. Cheesman Road - Alma
Registration forms may be obtained by calling our office (989) 463-1422 or
linkforfamilies.org
Raising funds to help prevent Child Abuse & Neglect
Pre-registration deadline is April 22 |
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Thank you for reading our April newsletter! Exciting things are happening here at Child Advocacy. We have hired Kris Olejniczak to teach the Protect Yourself Program to Gratiot County Elementary students. Kris will also be working with childcare providers on our new Coaching program. Learn more about Kris is our May newsletter.
Child Advocacy is excited to announce that we have received a development grant from the National Children's Alliance to begin work on a Children's Advocacy Center in Gratiot County. Children's Advocacy Centers provide forensic interviews for victims of child sexual abuse, as well as follow up services for victims and their families. Child Advocacy is collaborating with local law enforcement, DHS, Women's Aid Service, Community Mental Health, CASA, Gratiot County Prosecutors Office, Juvenile Court, and local physicians. Stay tuned for updates on this project.
The staff at Child Advocacy hopes to see you at our upcoming events. The charity basketball game and 5K event are our biggest fundraisers of the year. Raising funds for child abuse and neglect prevention in Gratiot County!
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
Executive Director |
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