CA with tag line 

 525 N. State Street · Suite 4 · Alma, MI 48801 
(989) 463-1422




Raise your words, 
not your voice.
It is rain that grows flowers,
not thunder.

-Rumi
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 
President & CEO 
     
Pam Mahin
Office Manager
 
Ty Warczinsky 
GCSAC Program Director
 
Sara Krebs 
Coalition Coordinator 
 
 Richelle Davis 
Prevention Educator
 
Michelle Zombeck 
 CASA Program Director    
 
Heather Therrien  
CAC Program Director
 
Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager

Mallory Harrier
CAC Intake Coordinator
 
Staci Bigelow
Event/Volunteer Coordinator

Morgan Rooy
CAN Program Director 

Danielle Schmidtman
CASA Recruitment Coordinator
 
 
Board of Directors  

President
Carolyn Studley
Community Represenative
   
Vice President 
Matt Schooley
City of Alma Transportation
 
Secretary
Jennifer Stambaugh
DeafBlind Central
   
Treasurer
Sara Bonacci
Sara Bonacci Photography
  
Steve Benn
Detective/Sgt.
MI State Police

 
Wendy Currie 
Mid MI District Health Dept

Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office 
   
Jim Dubey
Garr Tool

Rob DuHadway
DuHadway Dance Dimensions 

Tammy Halfmann
Mercantile Bank

David Justin
 Alma School Board
  
Jennifer Leppien
CASA

John Morey
CPA

Mike Morris
Detective/Sgt. Gratiot Co. Sheriff's Dept. 
     
Alison Morrison
Dept. of Health and Human Services 
   
Jamie Richardson
Doehring Schultz Insurance Agency

Jennifer Siefker
Tri Lakes Petroleum
  
Steve Vernon
 Gratiot Integrated Health Network

Wes Wickes
Central MI Youth for Christ

Mark Williams
Detective/Sgt.
Alma Police Depart.

Joe Yourchock
Community Representative


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
 
Breckenridge Police Dept.
 104 E. Saginaw 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 
 
These sites accept
prescription pills and patches.
Program Needs

Gas Cards 
to help cover the cost for medical travel to Grand Rapids or help with transportation of foster children.

Gift Cards to Walmart and Meijer to purchase the specific needs of a child. 
 
Drawing Paper
Puzzles
New Children's Books
Play-dough
Games for younger children to play
Capri Sun Juice Boxes
Bottled Water

Baby Pantry
Diapers size 6
Safety Items - covers & locks
Formula - 
Purple can Gentle Formula
Yellow can Infant Formula



Community donations help the quality of our programs and are greatly appreciated. Donations can be made directly at Child Advocacy or by contacting our office. (989) 463-1422

Your Feedback!

I like that it made me confident in myself and being a good parent.

Parent who completed the ACT Raising Safe Kids class. 

Quick Links

 
Join Our Mailing List
 
 
Welcome Fall!

Child Advocacy is in full swing preparing for another amazing school year. Along with our events and fundraisers we also have staff doing great work with the local schools and the youth in our community.

More details about these can be found below in our program articles. 


Child Advocacy Staff
Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org .
Upcoming Events


Mom 2 Mom Sale
Saturday, October 14, 2017
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Donald L. Pavlik Middle School - Alma

Visit:  www.cmyfc.net/mom2mom for more information.



Trivia Night
Saturday, November 18
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Alma Elks Lodge #1400 - Alma

Contact Michelle or Staci at (989) 463-1422 for more information on this event. Please click here for a team sign up form. 
Yoga Days
Submitted by: Mallory Harrier
Children's Advocacy Center Intake Coordinator
 
In Gratiot County, when an allegation of abuse involves a child, the child and their caregiver often find themselves at the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC). Children's Advocacy Center staff interview children who may be victims of abuse or neglect, provide follow-up and support, and refer victims and their families to specialized services to put them on a path toward healing. As part of this process, the Children's Advocacy Center team routinely explores innovative support initiatives that might benefit parents and children who visit the Center.
 
With the support of Gratiot Integrated Health Network, the Gratiot Community Foundation, and Stacey Graham, a family advocate at the Children's Advocacy Center, Yoga Days was developed. Yoga Days are set up specifically for children and caregivers that may have or have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma or stress.  It is a unique way for children and caregivers to learn how to be the "boss" of their bodies, to tolerate extreme emotions, and to find focus in their minds for sustained periods of time.  The sessions run several times throughout the year. This has proven to be a successful outlet for the children who have visited the CAC and has expanded the class beyond the Children's Advocacy Center to include children and families from Gratiot Integrated Health Network, Department of Health and Human Service's Child Protective Services, and schools throughout the community.
 
If you have any questions regarding Yoga Days or the Children's Advocacy Center please call (989) 463-1422. 
 
Back to School with
 Protect Yourself
By: Richelle Davis
Prevention Educator
 
It's that time of year again.   As students begin to settle into a routine we will begin the Protect Yourself Program in all of the first and third grade classrooms in the county.  These schools include:  Alma, Ithaca, St. Louis, Breckenridge, Ashley, Fulton, and St. Mary's School in Alma.  
 
The Protect Yourself Program consists of a series of five lessons that empower kids with the knowledge to keep themselves safe in a variety of dangerous situations.  The lessons include identifying dangerous situations, feelings and instincts, tricks strangers may use, good touch/bad touch, and who to tell if you have a problem.
 
Last year the Protect Yourself Program was brought to over 900 students in Gratiot County.  If you have a first or third grader, be looking for us to visit your child's classroom and be ready to discuss these topics with them.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
www.safekids.org

Walk Safely
  1. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
  2. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. 
  3. Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don't run, across the street.
  4. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
  5. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to
    the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
  6. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Trick or Treat With an Adult
  1. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe
  1. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
  2. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision.
  3. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. 
  4. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. 
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
  1. Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
  2. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
  3. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
  4. Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
  5. Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
  6. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Baby Pantry Grand Re-Opening!

We celebrated our Baby Pantry Grand Re-Opening on Tuesday, September 26th. We encouraged the community to tour the pantry and bring a donation to re-stock the shelves with diapers, wipes, clothing, formula, and baby food. 

We are truly overwhelmed and amazed by the amount of community support we received. Thank you for donating baby items, touring our space, and visiting with us. From each and every one of us to each and every one of you "THANK YOU."

Scheduled Classes
 

Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Tuesday, October 10
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
East Superior Christian Church - Alma

 
Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Meeting
Monday, October 9
1:00 p.m.
YFC- Alma , MI 
 
Please call Sara at 989-463-1422 with any questions
 
 
The Baby Pantry
Every Wednesday
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wilcox Non-Profit Building - Alma
 
For more information about the Baby Pantry please contact Morgan Rooy at (989)463-1422.
Happy New Year!!
Ok, so it's not technically the new year, but around here it sure feels like it.  We are starting a new school year which means our programs are in full swing.  We have a new set of events and fundraisers on the horizon, and financially we have started a new Fiscal Year, so around here it feels like a new year and a fresh start.  :) 

As we are closing out the last fiscal year we once again find ourselves in a position of looking back and assessing the past year.  We are so grateful for the support of the community.  We sincerely could not do any of this work without your help, support, and encouragement.  THANK YOU!!!

We have exciting things happening this fiscal year and we hope you will continue to follow us on this amazing journey!


Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO