Child Advocacy Newsletter

January 2025

Dear Staci,

Goodbye 2024, Welcome 2025!

We are excited for another year of trainings, education, and collaboration. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month! Please take a moment to read the informational program article below about human trafficking.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter,

Staci Bigelow

Volunteer/Event Coordinator

Check out our website www.childadvocacy.net.

Upcoming Events

Child Advocacy Lunch & Learn

Thursday, February 6, 2025

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch & Learns are held every other month on the first Thursday of the month at Child Advocacy. Please check next month's issue for topic and registration details.

Gratiot County Substance and Suicide Prevention Coalition Meeting

Monday, January 13, 2025

1:00 p.m.

If interested in attending or for more information please email Emily at emily@childadvocacy.net.

Survivors Of Suicide Group

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Please see the flyer below for more information or email Emily at emily@childadvocacy.net.

Child Abuse and Neglect Council Advisory Committee

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Please contact Heather at heather@childadvocacy.net for more information.

Gratiot County Breastfeeding Coalition

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

4:00 p.m.

If interested in attending or for more information please contact Amanda at amanda@childadvocacy.net.

For more information on upcoming events and trainings please see detailed flyers below or visit our website at www.ChildAdvocacy.net

Child Advocacy is a non-profit agency with a mission to promote, support, and strengthen the well-being of our community.

Our Staff

Jennifer Stambaugh

President & CEO

jennifer@childadvocacy.net

Pam Scherzer

Office Manager

pam@childadvocacy.net

Staci Bigelow

Event & Volunteer Coordinator

staci@childadvocacy.net

Emily Rayburn

GCSSPP Director

emily@childadvocacy.net

Sara Krebs

GCSSPP Prevention Coordinator

sara@childadvocacy.net

Rachel Molands

GCSSPP Prevention Educator

rachel@childadvocacy.net

Rachael Wakley GCSSPP Support Specialist rachael@childadvocacy.net

Richelle Davis

CAN Prevention Educator

richelle@childadvocacy.net

Ashley Tupper

CAN Family Resource Coordinator

ashley@childadvocacy.net

Amanda Siddall

Breastfeeding Coalition Coordinator

amanda@childadvocacy.net

Michelle Zombeck

CASA Program Director

michelle@childadvocacy.net

Heather Therrien

CAC Program Director

heather@childadvocacy.net

Darby Chaffin

CAC Victim Advocate

darby@childadvocacy.net

Mandi Luft

CAC Case Manager

mandi@childadvocacy.net

Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month! There are 2 different types of human trafficking, and they are broken down into sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Labor trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Minors under the age of 18 engaging in commercial sex are considered victims of human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

There are a number of myths and misconceptions that individuals have regarding human trafficking which include:

It is always or usually a violent crime

Only undocumented foreign nationals get trafficked in the United States

Only women and girls can be victims and survivors of sex trafficking

Traffickers target victims they don’t know

People being trafficked are physically unable to leave their situations, and are locked in/held against their will

It is important that the community be aware of potential indicators of human trafficking which may include but are not limited to:

Avoiding social situations/not able to go out alone

Tattoos/branding

Being fearful of authorities

Unstable living situations/homelessness

Physical injuries including bruises and burns

These are only a few possible signs and not a guarantee that an individual is in a human trafficking situation. There are systems in place that allow for these victims to be properly identified and provided with appropriate services.

If you suspect that someone is being human trafficked, please reach out to your local law enforcement agency, or you can also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888.

January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day! Please join Child Advocacy as we wear BLUE to show support for raising awareness on January 11. Encourage everyone around you to partake in #WearBlueDay and send Child Advocacy your photos with the hashtag #WearBlueDay so they can be shared on our Facebook Page!

Mandi Luft

CAC Case Manager

Shop with a Hero 2024

Our 2024 annual Shop with a Hero was a huge success! Thank you to The Gratiot County Community Foundation, Alma Meijer, Alma Wal-Mart, Avalon & Tahoe, Optimist Club of Gratiot County, David Deyoub, Peace Lutheran Church, all of our Heroes, Child Advocacy staff, and our wonderful volunteers!

With all of this support, we were able to touch the lives of over 82 children in Gratiot County!

Greetings,

Happy New Year! I can’t believe it is 2025! As I reflect on this past year, I’m so grateful for everyone that has supported Child Advocacy by attending events, donating, volunteering your time and so much more. We could not provide the assistance to children and families in our community without all of you! We truly appreciate all of your support!

I’m excited to kick-off a new year of programs, training, and education for our community. We are looking forward to the expansion of our Make Parenting a Pleasure and our 24/7 Dad parenting groups this year. Additionally, we will be offering our Lunch and Learns, Stewards of Children Training and Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Training in a new format for 2025. Please follow our Facebook page for announcements on these and other offerings throughout the year.

Cheers to 2025!

Jennifer Stambaugh

President & CEO

Child Advocacy Flyers