CA with tag line 

 525 N. State Street � Suite 4 � Alma, MI 48801 
(989) 463-1422
"The greatest gift
a parent can give
a child is unconditional love.
As a child wanders and strays,
finding his bearings,
he needs a sense of 
absolute love from a parent.
There's nothing wrong with
tough love, as long as
the love is unconditional."
 - George H.W. Bush - 
In This Issue

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 
Executive Director
   
Pam Mahin
Office Manager

 

Ty Warczinsky 
GCSAC Coordinator
 
 Richelle Davis 
Prevention Educator
 
Heather Gardner
 CAC Coordinator
 
Michelle Zombeck
 CASA Coordinator 
 
Brenda Shafley
Event/Volunteer Coordinator
 
 

Board of Directors 

President
Wes Wickes
Youth for Christ
  
Vice President 
Jennifer Leppien
CASA
  
Treasurer
Carolyn Studley
  Community Representative

Secretary 
 Kelly Piotrowski
Dept. of Human Services

 

Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office 
   
Rob DuHadway
DuHadway Dance Dimensions

    Carolyn Hilley
 Gratiot Co. Comm. Mental Health


David Justin
 Alma School Board
  
Mike Morris
Detective, Gratiot Co. Sheriff's Dept. 
  
Jamie Richardson
Doehring Schultz Insurance Agency

Matt Schooley
City of Alma Transportation

 
Jennifer Siefker
Tri Lakes Petroleum
  
Jennifer Stambaugh
DeafBlind Central CMU

Andrea Tabor 
Mid MI District Health Dept
 
Joe Yourchock
Community Representative

Kim Vetter
MI 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

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.

 Hours 

8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday


 

St. Louis Police Dept.

108 W. Saginaw St.

Hours

Mon. 7 - 3 

Tues. - Fri. 8 - 4 
 

The sites accept

prescription pills, liquids, and patches.

Your Feedback!

 

Dear Brenda, 

Thank you for inviting me to shop with a hero.  I had a lot of fun.

Sincerely,

Chloe
 

 

Quick Links

 
Join Our Mailing List

  

  

Gather your princesses and/or pirates and join us for the Children's Advocacy Centers fundraiser.  Many themed activities and entertainment have been planned for this kid-friendly event!

 

Who is your favorite superhero? May 9, 2015 will mark the 8th annual Child Advocacy 5K fundraiser.   This event offers fun for the whole family and encourages superhero-theme costumes. Who can resist having a blast while exercising?

 

Enjoy,

Child Advocacy Staff

 

Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org.

Upcoming Events
 
Princess & Pirate Royal Fundraiser
You are invited to a Royal Fundraiser on 
Sunday, February 15th 
at the First Presbyterian Church in Alma.

Draw Bridge opens at 3:00 p.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m.
Princesses, Princes, Kings, Queens, Captains, Pirates, and Mermaids are all welcome! Princess and Pirate attire encouraged, but not required.

 

Tickets -$10 a person in advance
$15 at the door

 

Photo Opportunities with real Princesses and pirates, Snacks, Games, Treasure, Updo's, and MORE...........

 

All proceeds to benefit the Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County.

Child Advocacy Superhero 5K

Please mark your calendar for our annual 5K race! 

Saturday, May 9 at 9:00 a.m.
Alma Armory, 710 N. State St.

Online registration is now available at  runsignup.com. 

Registration forms are available at linkforfamilies.org



What Does it Mean to 
Be a CASA Volunteer?

Submitted By: Michelle Zombeck
CASA Coordinator

 

 

In 2014, Gratiot County CASA served 49 children.  With

dedicated and hard working volunteers our program was

still not able to meet the need of all the children waiting for

a volunteer. 

 

In 2015, our goal is to reach more children with more

advocates and to educate the community about what it really means to be a CASA volunteer.  

  • What does it mean to be a CASA volunteer?
  • How much time does it take to be a CASA volunteer?
  • Do I need to make a long-term commitment to the program?
  • Do I need to have any special skills or meet any requirements?
  • Exactly what does a CASA volunteer do?
  • What sort of support will I receive? 
Click here to have the above questions answered.

 

Contact Michelle Zombeck at 989-463-1422 or 

[email protected] and learn how you can truly make a difference in the life of a child.

The Hush Hour

by Pam Mahin

Office Manager 

 

Every child can benefit from a daily nap, but sometimes there is nothing you can do to get your child to actually sleep. But day after day, week after week, without a rest break can result in a fussy child prone to tears, temper tantrums and whining. A Hush Hour can provide a wonderful substitute for an actual nap. 

 

The Hush Hour is magical in another way. It can be a much-needed break for a parent or caregiver. As much as we love our children, we still need some time off! The Hush Hour allows you a break to relax or catch up on much-needed work or household tasks.

 

The Hush Hour becomes most effective when used at the same time every day. Try to create a daily ritual that includes a Hush Hour in the afternoon, perhaps when your little one returns home from daycare or school.

 

For more information and how to incorporate The Hush Hour into your family, please click here.

 Family Carnival & Expo
The Family Carnival & Expo was a huge success!  Over 500+ people came out to enjoy the event.  Thank you to all that participated.  We are very excited to offer this event next year.  Please mark your calendar for Saturday, January 30, 2016.

Scheduled Classes

 

Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group

Tuesday, February 10

6:00 p.m.

Youth for Christ - Alma

 

Nurturing Parenting Class 

(for parents and their 5-11 year old children)

starts Thursday, January 29 for 10 consecutive weeks

5:00 p.m. Light meal served

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. class

United Methodist Church - St. Louis

To register, please call our office.


 

Please call our office with questions about any of the above classes/workshops at (989) 463-1422.
Happy Valentines Day!

A great big heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and attended our Family Carnival and Expo in January!  A special thank you to our friends at Central MI Youth For Christ for allowing us to use their beautiful facility for our event again this year.  Another special thank you to the Ithaca Lions Club for providing FREE hot dogs and popcorn, to all of the vendors who had a booth, and the wonderful volunteers who worked the event!! 

We hope you will join us for our first annual Princess and Pirates Party Fundraiser on Sunday, February 15th.  All proceeds will benefit our Children's Advocacy Center (CAC).  The CAC is a program that provides victims of child abuse and neglect a forensic interview, victim/family advocacy, and follow up support.  The CAC is a critical piece in the investigative process of a child abuse case; as well as a place to start the healing process after the abuse takes place.  We need your help to keep this meaningful program going in our community! 

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
Executive Director