About Us 

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Sites

Alma Police Dept.

525 E. Superior St.

Mon. - Fri. 

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Gratiot Co. Sheriff

226 E. Center

Ithaca

open 24 hrs./day

7 days/week

Both sites accept

prescription pills, liquids, and patches.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths from cancer for both men and women. Tobacco use causes 87 percent of all deaths from lung cancer. Mid-Michigan Cancer Center is offering smoking cessation education.

If you are interested in learning more about the Lung Clinic, a free telephone screening is available by calling
 989-463-9307
 (press 2).

Quick Links

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing fathers!

With school concluding this month, please take a moment to read the article about Common Lures Used by Predators.  

The 5K race results and other articles about the remarkable work our agency is working on is included in this month's newsletter.

Enjoy,

Child Advocacy Staff

Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org.

Responsible Choices

By Ty Warczinsky

GCSAC Coordinator

Over the past month, Prosecutor Kushion, Judge McDonald, Sheriff Wright and I have been presenting to juniors and seniors in our community about responsible choices.   We have spoken to teens about the choices that lay before them and how these choices have real life consequences.  

The purpose of this presentation was not to do the thinking for our teens...spoon feeding them the appropriate choice.  The goal of this presentation was to speak honestly about the effects that choices can have on the outcome of one's life; we aimed to present the facts and let the teens think for themselves, since that is the only way positive long-term effects can arise.  

The response we have received from area schools' staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive. To give one example, Judge McDonald and I were at a banquet one night when a student approached us to tell us how much our presentation made him think about the decisions he had been making and in fact, rethink some of those decisions.  In our opinion, if we helped that one student make better choices for his life, even if that was the only student we reached, then it was well worth our time.

By: Richelle Davis

Prevention Educator

Predators often use different types of scenarios to lure children into trusting them and coming with them.  In Protect Yourself, we teach children about some common lures a stranger may use on them.

One common lure is the lost dog.  Children usually love animals and are willing to eager to help them find their owner.  The predator slowly pulls the child farther and farther away from where they should be.

Another scenario is a stranger needing help, such as carrying their bags to their car.

 Make sure that your child understands that refusing to help a stranger is not rude.  Teach your child that an adult should not be asking them for help with these things.  If they need help, they should ask another adult.

In April, I spoke of the emergency lure, where a child is told there has been an emergency and their mom had to go to the hospital and they will take the child there to see her.  In an emergency, children feel anxious and confused and can be lured into the stranger's car.

Knowing the child's name can also be used as a lure.  We discuss this scenario often in the Protect Yourself program and the students are always thrown off when the stranger knows their name.  They associate that with some type of familiarity and trust. 

Child safety begins with awareness of common predator lures and lines used by child abductors to kidnap new victims. Discuss them with even young children, and repeat the message often.

Protect kids from child molesters, predators, and abductors with these basic child safety tips. Have specific, frequent conversations about stranger danger and make sure kids know how to respond to common lures used by child predators.

Child Advocacy 

Superhero 5K Results

A BIG thank you to everyone who participated or volunteered at the 5K Superhero Event!  We are elated by the participation level and by the support we received for this event. Please mark your calendar for next year's Superhero race - Saturday, May 9, 2015!

Kids Fun Run Results

Overall Female - Ezgi Kurt (7:27)

Overall Male - Cole OBoyle (6:23)

5K Walk Results

Overall Female - Jane Reinsmith (40:11)

14 and under - Julia Cena (43:45)

30 to 39 - Jennifer Bywater (43:41)

40 to 49 - Kerry Cena (43:45)

50 and up - Kay Davis (44:56)

Overall Male - Joey Krick (36:39)

20 to 29 - Todd Cashen (38:22)

30 to 39 - Oluremi Abayomi (51:36)

50 and up - Marvin Davis (44:31)

5K Run Results

Overall Female - Laura Kelly (20:53)

14 and under - Elizabeth Gotaas (21:34)

15 to 19 - McKennah Rupke (26:17)

20 to 29 - Tasha Gregg (21:15)

30 to 39 - Carrie Heiss - (22:55)

40 to 49 - Tracy Beadlescomb (25:00)

50 and up - Kim Sweet (28:52)

Overall Male - James OBoyle (18:24)

14 and under - Case Martin (23:44)

20 to 29 - Zack Roth (22:25)

30 to 39 - Ryan Pellerito (22:36)

40 to 49 - Andy Shafley (20:59)

50 and up - Tim Lambrecht (18:45)

Click here to view the full results.

Congratulations to all the winners!! 

Sexual Abuse 

Support Group

By: Heather Gardner

The Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County recently began a support group for parents and caregivers of children who have experienced the trauma of sexual abuse.  When a child discloses abuse at the CAC the caregivers are offered the opportunity to join the support group.  Participants have benefited in many different ways from attending this group.  We look forward to being able to offer more support groups in the future to the families and children we work with.  

We need YOU!

Submitted by Michelle Zombeck

CASA Coordinator

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Gratiot County is searching for volunteers!  

A CASA volunteer is a trained community volunteer appointed by a judge to speak up for the best interests of an abused, neglected or abandoned child involved in juvenile court proceedings. Bringing urgency to a child's needs both in and out of a courtroom, CASA volunteers advocate for safety, permanence and well-being for children through independent recommendations.

In Gratiot County we have a growing list of children in need of a volunteer advocate to ensure that they have a voice and that their needs are being met.  Please consider volunteering your time to give a child in need hope.

Contact Child Advocacy for more information at

(989) 463-1422.