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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
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
Steve Benn Detective/Sgt.
MI State PoliceWendy Currie Mid MI District Health Dept Colleen Davis Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Rob DuHadway DuHadway Dance Dimensions
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
Jennifer Stambaugh
DeafBlind Central CMU
Steve Vernon
Gratiot Co. Comm. Mental Health
Joe Yourchock
Community Representative
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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 |
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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.
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.
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Your Feedback!
"This was a safe place where I did not feel judged and a weight was lifted off my shoulders."
Support Group Member
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Cascade of autumn leaves are upon us!
This month we share a touching story about our "jar of wishes", information about the Sticker Shock Campaign, and some advice on how to discuss bullying with your child.
Enjoy,
Child Advocacy Staff
Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org.
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Upcoming Events
CASA Trivia Night
You won't want to miss our biggest fundraiser of the year! FUN! FUN! FUN! Trivia, Prizes, Drawings, Silent Auction, Appetizers, Cash Bar, and MORE!!
Friday, November 20
Alma Elks LodgeClick here for more information and a registration form
Heart & Sole 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, February 6
His Place - Alma
Half of the proceeds will be donated to Child Advocacy.
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A.T.I. Sticker Shock Campaign
by Ty Warczinsky
GCSAC Coordinator
During homecoming week, Above the Influence students took a stand against underage drinking. St. Louis, Alma, Ithaca, Fulton and Ashley High Schools' Above the Influence students participated in the 2nd Annual Sticker Shock Campaign. Above the Influence students were allowed to enter Gratiot County Stores and put signs all over the store reminding consumers that providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 is illegal and that it is all of our responsibility to help youth live above the influence.
According to the 2013-2014 MiPHY data, the average age of first-time use in Gratify County is 14 years old. Underage drinking can have enormous consequences such as being involved in alcohol-related traffic accidents, developing depression/anxiety, becoming victims of violent crime, attempting suicide, and developing alcohol problems later in life. It has been said many times, "It takes a village to raise a child," and as a community, we need to talk to our teens about the dangers of underage drinking.
The Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition, along with the Above the Influence students, would like to thank the following stores for participating in the sticker shock campaign: Beacon and Bridge in Alma, Citgo, Boomer's Party Store, Speedway in Alma, 7 eleven in Alma, both Beacon and Bridge's in Ithaca, Save-A-Lot, Ric's, Foote's Party Store and Dagget's Grocery both in Ashley, Perrinton Party Store, Sunoco in Middleton, St. Louis Marathon, St. Louis Dollar General, and Carl's Market in Maple Rapids. Alma High School St. Louis High School
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How to Talk to Your Child about Bullying
By: Amanda Kerley
CMU Volunteer
Did you know that two out of every three children have been a victim of bullying at some point in their life? Bullying can occur in many forms; verbal, emotional, cyberbullying, and physical. The most common form of bullying in this day and age is cyberbullying. Individuals use cyberbullying to send nasty messages, spread rumors, send inappropriate emails, share private information and post inappropriate photos, all on the internet for anyone to gain access to. Approximately 25% of teens claim to be targets of cyberbullying and only 10% of parents said to be aware that their children were targets (McAfee, 2012).
It is important to talk to children about bullying or at least touch on the subject. Many parents are unaware that their children are a victim of bullying or even worse, the source of the bullying. By helping children understand at a young age what bullying is, what is considered bullying and why it is wrong can help prevent future problems with it. There are four things that parents can teach their children that can help prevent bullying: 1)Help kids understand what it is, 2) Keep lines of communication open, 3) Encourage kids to do what they love, and 4) Model how to treat others with kindness and respect. Each of these things is easy to follow and instill in the future children of our communities. For more information about bullying and how to get help, you can go to www.stopbullying.gov or call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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Jar of Wishes By: Heather Gardner CAC Coordinator
What do you see when you look at this jar of assorted buttons? This jar represents all of the children who have received forensic interviews and support at the Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County. Since opening our doors in 2013, we have worked with hundreds of children and their families. Each button you see in this jar was placed there by a child. When the child completes their forensic interview, our family advocate invites the child to pick a button out of our button tray. They select the button that is special to them and then they are asked to make a wish and then place the button in the jar. They are told that their wish will be kept safe in the jar. Child abuse is such a silent and isolating crime. Often when a child comes to our center they think they are the only one going through it. When they see the jar and all the buttons in it, you can see their eyes light up to know they are not alone. It also helps for families to see that there are so many other families going through the same thing. This jar is very special to us at the CAC, for it holds all the wishes and dreams of the children who are part of our community. I had a little girl look up at me the other day and whisper in my ear "I think you are going to need a bigger jar".......... If you have extra unique buttons that you would like to donate to the CAC, we would love to have them! Each button you donate represents a wish and hope! |
Scheduled Classes
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Tuesday, November 10
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Topic - Mindfulness Training
Central Michigan Youth for Christ - Alma
Please call our office at (989) 463-1422 to register for the class.
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Game Day Challenge Winner
The winner of our Game Day Challenge is Mercantile Bank with a donation of $383.42!!! Thank you to all of you who participated; DuHadway Dance Dimensions, Commercial Bank, Mid MI District Health Dept., 5th-grade students and staff from Breckenridge, and Mercantile Bank. Together you raised $1,022.48 for the Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County!
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Hello,
There is so much happening here at Child Advocacy! We hope you will join us on November 20th for our 3rd Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser to benefit our CASA program. Check out the link above for details and registration information.
We have just started work on our annual Shop With a Hero event, The FREE Family Carnival and Expo, and our 2nd annual Princess and Pirates Party Fundraiser. Stay tuned for information on these FUN events!!
Please follow us on Facebook at Child Advocacy - Gratiot County and Instagram at
childadvocacygratiot for upcoming dates and information on all of our events, classes, and programs.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
Executive Director
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