NEWSLETTER
  JANUARY 2020 
January 2020 Newsletter Headlines
We Back The Blue
 

January - Employee Highlight 
of the Month
Kathryn Eckel - Program Management Assistant
Criminal Division



Q. How many years have you been employed with the Court?
A.   I have been employed with the Court since August of 2016.
 
Q. Do you have any skills or talents that most people don't know about?
A.   I love to garden; anytime outside with my hands in the dirt is a fun time.
 
Q. If you could be anywhere other than here right this minute, where would you be?
A. St. James Gate, Dublin, Ireland.
 
Q. Who do you admire, and why?
A.   I admire Pope Francis. He is an agent of change to one of the oldest institutions on the planet, the Roman Catholic Church. His tactics are simple; love your God with all your heart and soul and treat your neighbor as you would yourself.
 
Q. Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...
A.   I am at 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Hubert Church followed by breakfast with my family.
 
Q. What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
A.   My best skills include strong work ethic, listening, and humor.
 
Q. Name three words that describe you.
A.   Loyal, empathetic, hard working
 
Q. What are you happiest doing when you're not working?
A.   I am happiest when I'm at Michigan Stadium cheering on my beloved Wolverines.
 
Q. What is your personal motto?
A.   Never give up; give it to God and keep moving.
 
Q. What are some causes you care about?
A.   I have a long affiliation with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. I have been a participant since 2006 when my sister passed from cancer.
 
Angels of Hope is also a terrific organization that helped me and my kids during my own battle with the disease.
 
Q. What is an enjoyable part of your job?
A.   I love being useful. Criminal Court Administration at FMHJ offers a variety each day; from planning portrait unveilings to running LEIN clearances; calling in workmen or preparing for an audit. There is never a dull moment. I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
Q. What are some career highlights?
A.   Passing the LEIN audit in October 2019; playing a role on the Strategic Safety Committee; rolling out AtHoc messaging system to the court.
 
At the moment I am one of the Transition Team Coordinators for the new Criminal Justice Complex.
 
Q. What is your dream job?
A.   My dream job is doing what I'm doing. I am blessed to be working for the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan.
 
Q. What college/university did you go to?
A.   I graduated from the University of Michigan.
 
Q. What's a little known fact that you are willing to share?
A.   I am the middle child of five girls.

Internship with Third Circuit Court

Mikael Thornton is a senior at Detroit Cristo Rey High School. He is currently an intern in the Jury Service Department at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center assisting with various projects and serves as consultant for outreach for jury service that may appeal to the younger generation.   Mikael plans to attend Michigan State University or Grand Valley State University and plans to major in Athletic Training. When asked about his experience with the internship thus far, this is what he had to say about working with the Third Circuit Court:
"My experience working at the Third Circuit Court has been an amazing one! Being able to meet a couple of judges and to have the experience to watch an actual case up close for the first time was interesting. In the jury department, some of my duties are making survey packets for jurors, open, sort and organize questionnaires. I have amazing co-workers as well. Working here is fun and is easily one of the best internships I have had. I am encouraged to continue to work hard to make a good impression."



The Third Circuit Court, 
Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny and Executive Court Administrator, Zenell Brown, 
invite you to watch the
Detroit Pistons  vs Milwaukee Bucks
Thursday, February 20, 2020
7:00 p.m. at 
Little Caesars Arena
 
We have secured a block of seats in the Gondola section at 
$42 per ticket 
Tickets may be purchased until  Thursday, February 13, 2020
 
Click on the below link to purchase your tickets
 
We hope to see you there.  
Go Pistons!!


 
 
THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CALENDAR
 
The Third Circuit Court Diversity and Inclusion Team's Mission Statement: 
" We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."
 
T he Court's Diversity & Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment.
 
In that spirit, the team creates and shares a monthly list of various holidays and observations along with some celebration suggestions. We invite our work community and the community at large to contribute.
 
February 2020
 
Black History Month
American Heart Month
Random Acts of Kindness Week (second week)
 
National Freedom Day 
February 1 
Groundhog Day  February 2 
National Stop Bullying Day  February 9 
World Marriage Day  February 10 
Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day  February 11 
Lincoln's Birthday  February 12 
Valentine's Day  February 14 
Do a Grouch a Favor Day  February 16 
Random Acts of Kindness Day  February 17 
National Love Your Pet Day  February 20 
Washington's Birthday   February 22 
Leap Day   February 29
 

Day In Court    
 






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Please send us your name and email address to - 
3cce-news@3rdcc.org

Greetings, 
 
The 2019 Strategic Plan Meeting ended with Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny inviting those present to be creative and bold. As we begin 2020, let's not forget that. In fact, let's invite others to join us. If you have this newsletter open on your phone, laptop, or desktop, include yourself in that invitation too.
 
We need you ready with your imagination and confidence as we launch our year to address jail reform, indigent and self-representation, the ongoing changes in the juvenile justice system, implementation of a new Friend of the Court workflow system, introduction of ZOOM conferencing for court appearances, and continue to endeavor to recruit talent and improve salaries.
 
We need every member of the justice community. We ask that you partner with us. We will be able to arrive at a better systemic solution if we eliminate thinking in silos and take a long-term view and approach. We will be able to improve on what's working, as well as try new, bold approaches for outdated processes that are no longer serving. We understand success is not guaranteed, but we also understand that we can expect nothing greater, nothing better unless we take a risk. We want courts to share their best practices, we want colleges and universities to share their research and talent, and we want our commissioners and funding units to invest with us to recruit and retain great talent and to deliver quality public services.
 
We welcome the challenges before us this year. We vow to succeed. We will be creative and bold. Happy New Year!
 








On January 20, 2020, Judge Craig Strong received the Justice of the People award from the Nation Action Network Michigan Chapter at their Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Detroit Athletic Club.
 







The Wayne County Sheriffs protect the safety of the judges, staff, court users, and public in the Third Circuit Court locations. They are the first responders in the event of emergencies in the courthouse. Court security is vital to the integrity of the judicial process. Therefore, the Circuit Court recognizes National Law Enforcement Day and thanks the many sheriffs who protect and serve in the Civil, Criminal, and Family Divisions each day. We "Back the Blue."






The Office of General Counsel decided to give back to the community as part of its Holiday Celebration.  The office first participated in the CHAP Thanksgiving basket Drive, filling baskets with food and gift cards for two deserving families.
 
Next the office volunteered at Gleaners for a second year. This time the group gave of their time by using their court service day at Gleaners Warren Distribution Center. The service day provided an opportunity for the Office to give back to the community while allowing staff an opportunity to become better acquainted with the staff members who joined the team in the past year. 
 
Gleaners Community Food Bank operates five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, and Monroe counties and provides food to 528 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and other agencies throughout Southeast Michigan. On average, Gleaners distributes 96,000 meals each day including providing nourishing food and nutritional education to 171,000 children a year. Every dollar donated provides three meals and 93 cents of every dollar donated goes to food and food programs.
 
The General Counsel service team worked as a group with other volunteers to pack and prepare for distribution 1,536 pounds of frozen vegetables, which would directly impact 1,229 individual. The group also prepared plastic bags for soups and bags for distribution through their collection program with the U.S. Postal Service. The Office had a great experience giving back to the community and is already researching ways to volunteer for next year.