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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
Michelle Zombeck
CASA Coordinator
Heather Gardner
CAC Coordinator
Heather Therrien
CAC Case Coordinator
Staci Bigelow
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 Police
Sara Bonacci
Sara Bonacci Photography
Wendy 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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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. |
Your Feedback!
"The fact that you treated my kids like they mattered. The Center was inviting and warm."
Parent of a child working with the Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County
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Bring on the New Year!
2016 is the beginning of anything you want, one day at a time. Let go of what was and work on what is!
This month Child Advocacy is pleased to offer the Free Family Carnival & Expo to residence of Gratiot County. This event is a fun-filled day for all families.
We are also excited to announce our Princess and Pirates Fundraiser on Sunday, February 14th at the Youth for Christ in Alma. See below for details!
Enjoy,
Child Advocacy Staff
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Upcoming Events
Free Family Carnival & Expo
Saturday, January 30, 2016
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Central Michigan Youth for Christ
2550 W. Cheesman Road - Alma
Heart & Sole 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, February 6
His Place - Alma
Half of the proceeds will be donated to Child Advocacy.
Pirate & Princess Party
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Youth for Christ - 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, Snacks, Games, Treasure, Updo's, and MORE...........
All proceeds to benefit the Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County.
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Big Gap!
By: Heather Gardner
CAC Coordinator
Did you know that Americans give more than $4 to protect animals for every $1 they give to protect abused kids? I was shocked to learn there was that big of a dollar difference! The National Children's Alliance has started a new PSA to highlight this disparity.
The link between child abuse and animal abuse has been well researched over the years. Many times if a child is being abused in a home, there is also an animal being abused that the child cares for and loves. When I conduct forensic interviews with children, this is a frequent question I ask. It provides us with valuable insight into what life is like for the child.
Please help us to spread the word and increase donations for the child abuse victims in our community. The money donated helps us to provide the child and their family with medical exams, therapy, forensic interviews, advocacy and support. A happy and healthy home is what we hope for all children and their pets!
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Prescription Drop Box
by: Ty Warczinsky
I send my regards to all for a wonderful new year. Coming into 2016, the Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition would like to announce some exciting news. Currently, we have three prescription drop- box sites: St. Louis and Alma Police Departments open during business hours and the Sheriff's Office in Ithaca open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
The Coalition is proud to announce that there will be a fourth prescription drop-box site at the Breckenridge Police Department, which will be open during business hours. Prescription drug abuse has become an ominous problem within our nation and in our county. It has also been proven that prescription drug abuse has contributed to a rise in the heroin epidemic. Community effort is integral to finding a solution to this problem, and opening this fourth drop-box site is one more step in combating prescription drug abuse.
I would like to give recognition and thanks to three local businesses who contributed the funds and man hours to making this fourth prescription drop-box a reality:
Misenhelder Welding, Powder Coat of Central Michigan and Alro Steel.
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Family Carnival & Expo
Saturday, January 30, 2016
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Youth for Christ ~ 2550 W. Cheesman Road ~ Alma
FREE admission to Gratiot County Residents! FREE refreshments!
FREE
Kids Activities,
FREE
Information for families
- Make and take crafts
- Local health care providers
- Inflatable bounce house
- Local Businesses
- Clowns
- Free vision screenings
- Carnival games and prizes
- Recreation organizations/clubs
- Digital Child ID Cards
Join us for a day of information and FUN for the entire family!
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Shop with a Hero
Our 4th annual Shop with a Hero was a huge success! Thank you to
Gratiot County Community Foundation,
Optimist Club of Gratiot County,
Alma Meijer,
Alma Wal-mart,
MI State Police,
all of our Hero's, and our wonderful volunteers!
With all of this support, we were able to touch the lives of 52 children in Gratiot County!
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cheduled Classes
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Tuesday, January 12
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Central Michigan Youth for Christ - Alma
Please call our office at (989) 463-1422 to register for the class.
ACT Raising Safe Kids Program
January 11,13,18,20,25,27
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wilcox Non-Profit Center- Alma
Please call our office at (989) 463-1422 to register for the class.
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Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative
What is MYOI?
MYOI's goal is to ensure that young people in foster care have successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, social and community engagement, permanency, physical health and mental health. The Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative is a partnership between the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative and the Michigan Department of Human Services.
The program was created to improve outcomes for youths transitioning from foster care to adulthood. It brings together community members, public and private agencies, and resources that are critical to enhancing the success of young adults who are transitioning or have transitioned from the foster care system. For additional information, please
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Happy New Year!
This time of year is all about counting your blessings, reflecting back, and looking forward. I don't say it enough, but the greatest blessings at Child Advocacy are the staff!! Heather G, Richelle, Ty, Pam, Michelle, Heather T, and Staci are the reason that this agency is able to do so much for the community. This staff is very rarely recognized for the work they do, and when you start to look at the impact they have on the lives of children and their families it is phenomenal. Thousands of lives changed each year, because of their efforts. I often say how can 7 people possibly do so much work? So, from me to all of you, THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
Executive Director
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