Penny Power!

Spring 2006
Threshold
Inside CARE House – the home of the
Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County
From the
President
A New Year
is often
symbolized
by a baby
and holds
Denise Alexander-Pyle
the promise
and opportunity of a good life.
Tragically, there is also the
likelihood that the sweet dreams
for that child’s future can too
easily change to nightmares.
This year has started out
impressively for the metro Detroit
area. Following gloom and
doom forecasts for Michigan’s
automotive dependent economy,
we were awed by exciting and
energy efficient new vehicles
displayed at the 2006 North
American International Auto Show.
Fast on the Auto Show’s heels was
Super Bowl XL. For a month the
media highlighted Detroit putting
its best face forward, impressing
visitors and locals alike.
Sadly, less prominent in the
same newspapers heralding our
successes, were articles reporting
too many tragic stories of metro
Detroit youngsters who didn’t
survive the physical abuse they
received at the hands of trusted
family members and/or caregivers.
Their lives were cut short, too
often because of another’s inability
to cope with the stress that job
losses and other unanticipated
life changes produced. We were
haunted by the images of their
innocent faces, while family
Continued on page 8
Penny Power!
Help Prevent Child Abuse...
Help Prevent Child
Abuse - A Penny
At A Time!
The Council will host its third annual
Circle of Light community education
event on April 25, 2006, as part of
National Child Abuse Awareness
and Prevention Month. This year, a
special new project, Penny Power, will
become a part of Circle of Light.
Penny Power is a meaningful way for
individuals and groups throughout
the community to get involved,
and to raise awareness of the one
million children who are abused and
neglected each year in this country,
by collecting pennies for the child
abuse prevention programs of
CARE House.
Prevention efforts are critical to help
reduce the alarming incidence of child
abuse – 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will
be sexually abused before their
18th birthday.
Penny drives will begin across
Oakland County on April 1, 2006
- by school and church groups, at
work by groups of employees, or by
individuals. The goal of Penny Power
is to collect 1 million pennies - one
penny to represent each child who
is abused every year, for a total of
$10,000 raised to prevent
child abuse.
Parents, teachers and others who
share our core belief - It shouldn’t
hurt to be a child - are encouraged to
organize groups and include children
in becoming Penny Power Partners
with CARE House.
CARE House, home of
The Child Abuse and Neglect
Council of Oakland County
United Way for
Southeastern Michigan
These partners will be invited to visit
CARE House for a tour, asked to bring
the pennies they have collected, and
deposit their donations into a CARE
House Penny Power bank, decorated
by CARE House kids.
At the Circle of Light event, the
evening of the 25th, it is hoped that
many of the Penny Power Partners
will attend the event, and help
announce the total number of
pennies collected to date for child
abuse prevention.
We all share the responsibility
for preventing child abuse in our
communities. The Penny Power
Project is a metaphor for what can be
accomplished when we work together
toward a common goal. One penny,
like one person, doesn’t have much
power by itself.
Thousands of pennies, collected by
thousands of caring people, can make
a powerful difference in the lives of
children. That’s no small change.
Watch your mail for more information
about Circle of Light, or contact
CARE House at 248.332.7173 with any
questions about the Penny Power
Project.
Penny Power and Circle of Light are
sponsored by Oakland County
Credit Union.
Winner of Crain’s
Best Managed
Non-Profit 1999
in the $3-million
and under group
Volunteer Profile: Kathy & Kait
Kathy Crawford knew she was
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
COUNCIL OF OAKLAND COUNTY
BOARD MEMBERS
Board of Trustees
2006
Denise Alexander-Pyle, President
Debbie Carley, Vice President
Cathy Weissenborn, Treasurer
Laura Ragold, Secretary
Hon. Martha D. Anderson
Elaine Baker
Elaine Blouse
Nancy Bolyard
Kim Bondy
Nancy Cooper
M. Michael Cotter
Chief Charles Craft
Katie Farkas
Freeman Farrow, M.D.
Lauran F. Howard
Sgt. Clay Jansson
Sarah Weiner Keidan
John D. Kessler
Irika Mellin
George J. Miller
Frederick J. Morsches
Terry Murphy
Julie Nelson-Klein
Richard Remstad
Suzanne Russell
Karla Sherry
Hon. Kimberly Small
Stephen Strome
J. Douglas Turnbull
Margaret C. Warner
Patricia Rosen
Executive Director
Contributor’s Corner
We wish to thank the following
for their assistance in preparing
this edition of the Threshold:
Denise Alexander-Pyle
Diane Bedenbaugh
Cindy Bridgman
Robyn Gorell
Grigg Graphic Services
Erika Lovell
MarxLayne & Company
Verna Piper
Kristin Reitz
Patricia Rosen
Tricia Schuster
Laurie Walters
Jayne Zellers
2
in the right place when a child
offered her a hug and a paper
necklace. She earns her living
as an administrative assistant,
but derives much of her joy
from working as a volunteer
at the Child Abuse and Neglect
Council of Oakland County, in the
organization’s nurturing program.
“Some of these children live in
very challenging circumstances,
and it’s so wonderful to watch
Kathy Crawford and Kait Crawford
the love that is still there,” said
Crawford, 52, who volunteers three
“A leader will present a lesson plan
hours a week at the program and
and then we help her perform the
is working on a degree in sociology
program with the kids, which is
at Oakland University. “We try to
correlated to what the parents are
round out the rough edges
learning in their group.”
for them.”
It is a 15-week commitment for the
Volunteering is doubly rewarding
families. The volunteers usually
for Crawford because her daughter,
work about 3 hours a week.
Kait Crawford, works with her in
the Nurturing Parenting Program.
Kait Crawford said the program is
Kait, 25, graduated from Oakland
executed within a circle.
University in 2004, and works as
“We have circle time where the
an apartment leasing consultant.
leader has a topic of discussion,
She hopes to begin a master’s
usually about feelings, and how to
degree in counseling in the fall.
express anger appropriately,” she
She began volunteering for the
said. “We may do that for 30-45
council in 2003, after her mom
minutes, and then we will do
began in late 2002.
a project.”
“It makes me feel so good inside to
One of those projects was making
know I’m helping in some small
anger masks.
way,” Kait Crawford said. “I just
love it. I would like to really work
“The children would make the
for this organization one day
masks themselves, and then
because I think it’s wonderful to
they could wear them at home
see positive changes in both the
instead of acting out their anger
parents and the children.”
inappropriately,” Kait
Crawford said.
Her mom outlined the program.
Kait said she thinks of CARE House
“First we were both interviewed to
as a haven for the children. “It is
find out where we would fit,”
a safe environment where the kids
Kathy Crawford said. “They decided
can have fun and be themselves,”
to place both of us in the Nurturing
she said. “They can be little kids
Parenting Program.”
without the cares of the outside
world. And the parents can feel
The volunteers work with children,
safe too, to confide in others.”
while the parents participate in
their own counseling group.
by Shawn D. Lewis for The Detroit News
Child Assistant Volunteers Needed
Please call CARE House for
more information 248.332.7173
Sharing and Caring Tours
Sharing and Caring Tours
Wish List
The following is our WISH LIST:
✓ Gift cards from Costco, Meijer,
Target, JoAnn’s, Michael’s, etc.
of CARE House
2006 Sharing & Caring Tours
These monthly tours are an
informal way to learn more
about what happens inside
CARE House. Please attend
and bring a friend. There’s
no charge.
April 11
7:30 – 8:30 am
May 9
12:00 – 1:00 pm
June 13
7:30 – 8:30 am
July 11
12:00 – 1:00 pm
August 8
7:30 – 8:30 am
Sept. 12
2:00 – 1:00 pm
October 10
7:30 – 8:30 am
✓ Arts and crafts supplies such
as sequins, craft sticks and
glitter glue, etc
Nov. 14
12:00 – 1:00 pm
✓ Automatic dishwasher detergent
Dec. 12
7:30 - 8:30 am
✓ Paper towels
See the 2006 calendar of tours
and pick a date. Or, if you
prefer, just call 248.332.7173
and arrange a tour at a time
and date of your convenience.
✓ Individual juices boxes
✓ Individually wrapped
healthy snacks
✓ Crayola washable markers
✓ Antiseptic wipes
✓ Liquid hand soap
✓ Unscented bathroom tissue
Spring Cleaning
✓ Plastic forks
✓ Heavy duty disposable plates
✓ AA batteries
Now you can help CARE House
while spring cleaning.
Good News! CARE House can
accept donations of unwanted
(but well cared for) household
goods. Through an arrangement
with OnLine Sales of Birmingham,
you can donate items such as
appliances, musical instruments,
furniture and lightly used brand
name baby and children’s clothing.
You can drop off your donations at
CARE House, or call Verna at
248.332.7173 to arrange a pickup.
This is an opportunity for CARE
House to raise revenue, and we
look forward to your support.
Stay Tuned For Our New Website!
Launching In April:
www.carehouse.org
✓ Step stool
✓ Hand vacuum (like Dustbuster)
✓ Disposable diapers (Newborn
to size 6) (Huggies, Luvs and
Pampers)
✓ Pull-ups for toddlers
✓ Baby Wipes
✓ Formula (Similac with Iron)
powdered
✓ Baby Food (fruit, vegetable and
turkey dinners)
✓ Baby Cereal (Multigrain,
Oatmeal and Rice)
✓ Toys for babies up to 1 year old
✓ Baby Bowls and Sippy Cups
✓ Magna Doodle Play Kitchen –
due to restrictions, please
contact us first
These types of donations
allow us to direct more of
our funds to serve children
and families.
Thanks for your
continued support.
3
Grants and Awards
Detroit Auto Dealers Association
The Milton M. Ratner Foundation
The Milton M. Ratner Foundation awarded a $30,000
multi-year grant to the CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT COUNCIL
OF OAKLAND COUNTY. The funds, payable over three years,
will be used to support the “Helping Hands Shaping Futures”
Volunteer Program at CARE House, the home of the Council.
The funds will be allocated to partially support the salary
of the Director of Volunteer Services, and the recruitment,
training, recognition and technical support of the
Council’s volunteers.
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless awarded a $12,000 grant to the CHILD ABUSE
AND NEGLECT COUNCIL OF OAKLAND COUNTY. The funds
were used to provide an additional Nurturing Parenting
Program at CARE House, the home of the Council, for families
with adolescents ages 13-17. The goals of the intensive, 12-week
parenting education, family support program are child safety,
permanency and improved family functioning.
The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) awarded
a $24,078 grant to the Council for the expansion and
enhancement of the Intervention and Treatment Program,
by providing partial support for a Family Advocate and
the implementation of new client assessment and
evaluation models.
National Children’s Alliance
The National Children’s Alliance (NCA) awarded the Council
two grants. One was a Program Support Grant of $10,000,
given to Child Advocacy Centers that meet the standards of
full accreditation. CARE House earned and has sustained its
accreditation since 1992.
The second NCA grant is a $5,000 Member Training Grant to
fund a four-part training seminar for established therapists
in Oakland County, on methods and forensically sensitive
treatment techniques for sexually abused children.
Women of Bloomfield
St. James Episcopal Church
The St. James Episcopal Church of Birmingham awarded
a $1,000 grant to the Council for the Nurturing Parenting
Program for families with children ages 5-12.
The Women of Bloomfield organization presented a $10,000
check to the council at the group’s Annual Holiday Luncheon.
The funds will be used to support programming for CARE
House children and families.
Honoraries
Civilian Citation
for Amy Allen
Amy Allen, Case Manager
at CARE House, received
a Civilian Citation from
the Farmington Hills
Police Department.
The citation commends
Amy on her “great
assistance in conducting
forensic interviews of
children”. The award
was presented in
February in the
City of Farmington
Hills Council
Chambers.
Amy Allen
4
Ramona Marshall, CARE House’s
Diversity Champion
Ramona Marshall was honored as
a Diversity Champion by the Race
Relations & Diversity Task Force of
Birmingham and Bloomfield on
March 20, 2006.
Some champions might be 6’7” and sink
a lot of baskets but, to the staff, volunteers
and families served at CARE House,
Ramona Marshall is a champion.
Ramona came to CARE House in a
time of personal crisis.
Ramona has become the conscience
of CARE House and has given back
Ramona Marshall
from her heart, setting a high
standard in everything she attempts. Ramona volunteers her time and
talent as a Child Assistant and an Advocate for Children and also serves
as a committee member. Ramona is willing to share her experiences
to make clients realize they are not alone. CARE House is a better place
today because Ramona believes “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child.”
Upcoming Events to
Benefit CARE House:
Chris,
The Eagle
Scout
Women of
Bloomfield
Events
Chris Leinoen, a remarkable
young man and an Eagle Scout
with Troop 360, demonstrated
what a big heart he has this past
holiday season. The Rochester
Adams High School senior
collected new stuffed animals for
the children served by the Child
Abuse and Neglect Council of
Oakland County.
RUMMAGE SALE
May 12, 2006
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
May 13, 2006
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Chris Leinonen and his Teddy Bear Eagle Project. He
In his own words: “Initially, I was
delivered a large amount of items from our wish list.
just looking for an Eagle project
but, after visiting CARE House, I
obtaining donated stuffed animals
found that I truly wanted to help
from other Scouts and their families;
these children, even if it was in one
encouraging a local business to donate
small way. After putting my plan into
some; involving the Adams Robotics
action and receiving some of the stuffed
Club in the project; and making a lot
animals and supplies that I needed, I
of phone calls. His persistence paid off.
was more determined than ever to meet
The animals occupied the spare room at
my goal. It is with a heartfelt thanks to
his family’s home until it was time to
you for allowing me the opportunity to
take them to CARE House.
help you and these families.”
Chris devoted a huge amount of time
and effort to his project. He spent two
months collecting new stuffed animals,
which are chosen by children when
they visit CARE House. He had heard
about CARE House from the mother of
another Scout. Intrigued,
he researched and paid a visit to
learn more.
His effort included placing flyers
around a few neighboring subdivisions;
To deliver them in time for the holiday
season, Chris employed the assistance
of family and friends. It actually took
three fully packed cars to transport the
stuffed animals to their new home.
Chris has been accepted at Northern
Michigan University, where he plans to
study to become a secondary education
teacher of biology. We thank him
sincerely and wish him well in
his endeavors.
Cross of Christ
Lutheran Church
1100 Lone Pine Road
Bloomfield Hills
ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
June 14, 2006
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
First United
Methodist Church
1589 W. Maple Road
Birmingham
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE
November 2006
Look for more information in
our next newsletter.
Children’s Charities Coalition
Designer Tablescapes
Preview Gala
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
6 pm to 9 pm
Show House is located at
630 Vaughan Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Tour a beautiful 10,000 square-foot home located at the
corner of Vaughan Road and Lahser Road. For the Gala and
the next four days, enjoy this home and the inspiring tabletop
designs of the area’s leading interior designers, headed by
Jeffrey King. Tablescapes is chaired by Patti Balhorn
Gala tickets $100 and $150
Home tour runs May 11 – 14, 2006
$20 in advance or $25 at the door
Call for more information 248.333.0826
5
Give the Gift of Hope
Each of these special people has been remembered
with a memorial or tribute made in their name:
–MEMORIALS–
Joan Hassen
Mike “Mobil” Putrus
Helen and Larry Brady
Sidney M. Hiller
Mindy Ramirez
Doris A. Bushman
Joshua Horwitz
Sam Richman
Rosalie Carroll
Evelyn Hull
James S. Dutnie
Evelyn Ellman
Margaret L. English
Leann Fletcher
Gerald Gotthelf
Mr. Arthur Kinnebrew
Helen Lattin
Nick Marinacci
Mr. Mendelsohn
Mary Helen Metz
Janice Morganroth
Karen Adams
Cynthia Canty
Adventures In Toys
Helen Capanda
Denise Alexander
Pyle & Stephen Pyle
Debbie Carley
Anonymous
Cheryl Ann Bean
Dr. Ralph Cash
–IN KIND DONATIONS–
Art Leaders Gallery
Barbara Atchison
Ashley Avery’s
Clinton Interiors
Elaine R. Baker
Pam Collins
Nicolas D. Rokich
Palma Baker
Commerce Grille
Laurie Ruskin
Barris Sott
Denn & Driker
Nancy Cooper
Oscar Roberts
Helen Scriver
Norman Severin
Isla Small
Kathy Cox
Cathy J. Bateman
Jessie Crittenton
Grace Bateman
Cynthia &
Richard Cummings
Phyllis Payson
Barbara Synnestvedt
Andrew Hadesman
Mary Polek
Belle Weingarden
Herman Halprin
Debbie Posner
Jeff White
Hilda Gustafson
Beau Jack’s
Diane & Clarence
Bedenbaugh
Berkshire
Middle School
–TRIBUTES–
Beverly Hills Grill
Ray Abrams
James Gitre
John O’Brien
Denise Alexander-Pyle
Tracey Goddeeris
Rouchdi Rifai, M.D.
Big Rock
Chop House
Bingham Farms
Elementary
Janet Grant
Sophia Rose
Hon. Linda S. Hallmark
Pat Rosen
Rachel Isenburg Hughes
Rochelle Sampson
Bob Bean
Kamal Mansour Ibrahim
Baby Sarafa
Judy Lynn Bernard
Sandy Johnson
Marianne Schwartz
Jack Cherney
Ruth Kusiak
Brad Schram
Karen Boe
Susan E. Cohen
Erika Lovell
Meryl Solway
Kim Bondy
Michael Cotter
Laura Mahler
Karen Tomlinson
Michael and
Rosemary Cotter
Alli Jaye Margolis
Elizabeth Van Dusen
Jennifer Martella
Rachel Vattese
Cynthia L. Brown
Laurie Walters
Brownie Troop 1396
Hon. Martha D.
Anderson
Attorneys at Warner,
Norcross & Judd
Cynthia Cummings
Noelle Davis
Media Center Team Shelly, Phyllis, & Karen
Shirley DeWys
Naglick Family
Loreen Barbara Yaldo
Nancy Gifford
Kelly Nelson
Mary Lou Zieve
Cathy Witt
Sue Conway
Lee Bartoshuk
Sandy Bean
Jack Morof
Churchill’s
Fine Cigars
City of Troy
Irving Stein
Michael D. Groves
Vicki &
Thomas Celani
Auburn Hills
Presbyterian Church
Bay Harbor
Company
Mr. Malcolm Graham
Patricia Carney
Bireta Co.
Brenda McDonald
& Joseph W.
Cunningham
Dr. Robert M. Cutler
& Nina Cutler
Dance Elite
Ballroom Dance
Studio
David Wachler &
Sons Jewelers
Larry DeGroat,
DDS, PC
Janelle Denis
Lori Block
Nikky
Dennis-Hernandez
Bloomfield
Gourmet Shoppe
Detroit Polo Club
Shannon Bradley
Cynthia A.
Bridgman
Anita L. Burns
Lenora Desilets
Diana &
Lance Payton
Diana Dietle
Edison’s 220
Sameer Eid &
The Poenicia
Robert &
Mary Ann Emick
Cafe Sushi
Energetic Soul
Solutions
Kent Canerday
Eurasian Grill
To make a gift in honor of someone special to you, please call Verna Piper at 248.332.7173.
A beautiful tribute card will be sent to each honoree or family informing them of your gift.
6
–IN KIND DONATIONS–
Becky Jaglois
Michael &
Marcia McGee
Sarah &
Matthew Roth
Tanglewood
Golf Club
Freeman L. Farrow
James Design
Irika Mellin
Rae A. Ruddy
Teisha D. Tann
Barbara &
Oscar Feldman
Deanna &
Jim Jenkins
Sharon M. Meyer
Charisse Ryden
Kim Terzano
Tonja & David Mian
First Presbyterian
Church of Pontiac
John Jasso
Gary R. Miller
Rhythm
Photography
The New York
Restaurant
Carol Kasmicski
Peter Miller
Saks Fifth Avenue
The Townsend Hotel
Five Lakes Grill
Sgt. Pete Kelley
Elyse G. Essick
Foltyn &
David Foltyn
Cheryl Kern
Mitchell’s
Fish Market
Salem Hills
Golf Club
Dr. & Mrs. D.
Eugene Thompson
Kathy Kidder
Anita Monaco
Salon Clique
Nicole Thorne
Sarah Visger Killips
& Jason Killips
John Sawruk
Pam Saylor
Suanne Trimmer
Harold S. Friedman
Andrea &
Erik Morganroth
Christine Thornton
David Freedman
Kathy Kilmer
Morrell, Inc.
Kirk in the Hills
Presbyterian Church
NBC Studios
Matthew &
Selah Schie
Troy Rotary
Kathy &
Kenneth Fuerst
Suzanne Gagne
KoochieKoo
Barbara Gasko
Mari Lee &
Robert Neff
Donna Kowalski
Joanne
Giacomantonio
Neiman Marcus
Carol Krynski
Julie Nelson-Klein
Robert H. Giles
Andy Langwald
Debra Fader
Roz & Scott Jacobson
Katie Farkas
Ashley Glenn
Oakland County
Prosecutor’s Office
- David G. Gorcyca
Katherine M. Groves
Groves True
Value Hardware
Joanne &
Eric Gudeman
Wendy & Tom Gueth
Lori Haddad
Warren Hanson
Arthur Healy
Hersh’s
Hickory Grove
Elementary School
Pamela Kyle
Scott Nelson
Judy Schram
James & Gini Schultz
Ed &
Anna Marie
Schuster
Deb & Doug Searles
Variety,
The Children’s
Charity, Inc.
Dr. Jacqueline
Vaughn
Vaughn
Chiropratic Clinic
Barb Leffel
New
Bright Industries
Christopher
Leinonen
Oakland
Athletic Club
Marion &
Robert Lemke
Oakland County
Quilt Guild
Karla J. Sherry
Kim Levy
Jim Smith
Oakland University
Nancy &
Douglas Waldo
Lenora Lighthall
Dr. Robert Lisak &
Deena Lisak
Jill & James Lloyd
Lorenzo’s Restaurant
Erika Lovell
Jan Luttenberger
Barbara &
Robert Mack
Eric Hill
MaggieMoo’s Ice
Cream & Treatery
Howard & Howard
Pamela Maies
Paula & Dan Howe
Manno Clothing &
Tailoring, Inc.
Linda &
Robert Shallman
Lois Shaevsky
Theresa Visaggi
Sue & Gary Wachler
Eileene &
Jeffrey Wachler
Sharon Noll Smith
Shannon O’Brien
Nancy Walters
Julie Snyder
Paramount Studios
– Dr. Phil Show
Warm Up America
Mary Kay Snyder
Waterford Parks
& Recreation
Pepino’s
Lynn & Fred Perenic
Patrice M. Phillips
Postmaster
- Oxford Post Office
- Marilyn Adams
Cassle Poynter
Daniel J. Pozdol
Solomon &
Sons & Co.
Janet &
Ronald Sparrow
Susan Wayde
Kathryn Weicker &
Robert Joseph
Spirit Warriors
Chris Wellsandt
Sposita’s Ristorante
Thomas L. Werth
Deborah L. Stange
Christine West
Mary Ann Stange
Charles D. Wickins
Carol &
Richard Ragan
Steve’s Deli
David Wickins
Barbara Stocker
Rear Ends
Stone’s Fine Jewelry
Wind Bar &
Zinc Brasserie
Marist Academy
Debra Reid
Studio 330
Rocky Mountain
Chocolate Factory
Shellie &
Jacques Stuetzer
Yarrow Golf Club
J&L
Promotions, Inc.
Ramona &
Thomas Marshall
Kelley & Pat Martin
Sundance Shoes
Deana Yasso
Una Jackman
Marx Layne & Co.
Sheryl &
Donald Rohan
Lynette Younggren
Dr. M. David
Jackson & Darlene
Davis-Jackson
Eric Mayberry
Mary &
Donald Swanson
Alan Rosen
Sweet Essentials
Donna Zimmerman
Sydney Ross
Roberta & John Tafel
Z’s Villa
Jacqui Huculak
Imelda’s Closet
Insurance Women
of Metro Detroit
Lynn Manns
Sherry L.
McCormick
Patricia R. Rosen
Laurie Winston
Trisha Witty
Jayne & Ted Zellers
7
Teen Room Gets A New Look
A group of caring students recently raised money,
then helped decorate a waiting room for teens at
the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland
County in Pontiac. “We picked out new furniture
and new electronics, and subscribed to two
magazines,” said Michelle Bartoshuk, 15, of
Birmingham, “so children who had been
Excerpted from an article in The
Eccentric by Susan Steinmueller.
abused could take their mind off things before they were
interviewed by a counselor.”
“We haven’t done any redecorating for six years,” said
Pat Rosen, Executive Director. “The Teen Waiting Room
was looking a little dated, and we couldn’t afford to
refurnish it. Children who come here are going to be
interviewed in cases of physical or sexual abuse.”
“It’s great,” Rosen said of the result. “It was
teenagers picking out things for other teenagers.
It couldn’t happen any other way for us.”
Some of their parents are CARE House
supporters, she said, but “The young
people took the lead on this.”
Christopher Jackson, Eric Jackson,
Michelle Bartoshuk, and Vinnie
Celani. The teens did all the work
for planning and remodeling the
Teen Waiting Room at CARE House.
From the President
Continued from page 1
members and neighbors cried in
disbelief.
Once again we are reminded why
the staff and volunteers of the
Child Abuse and Neglect Council of
Oakland County put so much effort
and expertise into its Nurturing
Parenting Programs and in Healthy
Start/Healthy Families Oakland. If
we can teach and encourage families
to interact in a positive manner;
maybe we won’t have to read of
these tragedies. In 2005 alone, CARE
House provided more than 3200
families with services, an increase
of 12 percent over 2004. We strive
to teach them the skills necessary to
enable them to be respectful, patient
and responsive. We serve more, in
anticipation our intervention services
will be required less.
There is also a lesson learned from
metro Detroit’s most recent success.
When everyone pulls together and
utilizes all the available community
resources, goodwill and positive
8
outcomes are realized. At CARE House,
we have known this for a long time.
Because we firmly believe that “It
shouldn’t hurt to be a child”, we focus
our efforts on preventing abuse and
neglect by harnessing every resource
we can to achieve our goals.
However, as the need for services
increases, so does the cost required
to provide for those services. In a
declining economy, more charitable
organizations are competing for the
same limited resources.
Successful parenthood doesn’t just
magically happen. It is learned
behavior. Abuse cycles are repeated
because they are the only forms
of parenting the perpetrator may
know. Good skills are acquired over
time, with patience, common sense,
through learning from mistakes and
having the support of family, friends
and the community. It also means
being able to stand back from the
stresses of one’s life and knowing
how and where to seek advice and
help when the going gets tough.
CARE House has several incredible
prevention programs to provide
parents with the assistance they need
– before anything bad happens to
their children.
PREVENTION is an amazing concept.
It presupposes we can change an
outcome by our actions. Modern life
has become so complicated that it is
too easy to rationalize tragedies after
they occur. But we have the means to
ensure that children are safe within
the family setting and outside of it.
That is a major reason why CARE
House exists today.
Please come by for a SHARING AND
CARING tour (see page 3). You will be
forever transformed by the passion
and hopefulness that fills every
over-used corner, as our staff and
volunteers work tirelessly to fulfill the
promise for a life free from abuse for
every child who walks through
its doors.
So, let us continue to work together
with others in the Oakland County
community to make sure that all
our children live in a positive, safe
environment, where they are loved
and respected and can fulfill all of
their dreams for a good life.
Around and About
In Kind Donations
Below: Spirit Warriors
Right: Marist Academy
S.T.A.N.D. Club donated 118 stuffed animals
Above: Hickory Grove Elementary - Mrs. Reed’s 4th graders. The students
did all the work to make these blankets they donated. The two doctors
and their children delivered them to CARE House. Dr. Shawn Bolton is the
Room Mom for the class.
Right: Children donating books received
as gifts from their birthday party.
9
Around and About
Merry-Go-Round 2005
Below: Christopher (Awardee’s Son and Presenter)
and Darlene Jackson (Circle of Hope Awardee)
Above: Sandie Knollenberg (Presenter) and
Deborah Dingell (Kaleidoscope Awardee)
Right: Dick and Dawn Rassel representing
Butzel Long (Merry-Go-Round Awardee)
Left: Julie Nelson-Klein,
Diana Dietle
(Past Circle of
Hope Honorees)
Above: Karla Sherry (MGR Co-Chair),
Lynn Perenic (MGR Co-Chair),
Denise Alexander-Pyle (Board President)
10
Around and About
Nurturing Parenting Program
Help for the Holidays
Above: Debbie Carley, Oakland County
Prosecutor’s Office, with holiday gifts for 12
families from its staff.
11
Instead of going
to the mall –
The Centaurus Society –
an investment in the future
The Centaurus Society is the
Council’s Planned Giving
Program, which provides ways
to support the Council and
its mission into the future.
Give the perfect gift for any
occasion – a tribute to those
special people in your life, while
supporting the work of CARE House.
Whether it’s:
• Mother’s Day
• Father’s Day
• Grandparents’ Day
• To honor the memory
of someone
• Birthday
• Anniversary
• Graduation
• Bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah
• Retirement
• New baby
• New home
or any other cause for remembrance or celebration, simply
make a tax-deductible donation to CARE House, and we’ll
send a card acknowledging your meaningful gift.
It’s quick and convenient just call Verna at 248.332.7173.
Leaving a Legacy
Isla Small was a woman of uncommon
grace and generosity. A Past President
of the Women of Bloomfield, she was
a longtime supporter of the work of
CARE House. The Council was recently
informed of a bequest of $25,000 that
Isla left to the Council in her will.
This gift is a fitting tribute, which
will honor her memory and her
commitment to children.
For more information on becoming
involved with this program, call
Diane Bedenbaugh at 248.332.7173
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
April 25, 2006
Circle of Light
Join friends and supporters of CARE House
as we raise awareness and shed light on
the problem of child abuse during National
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness
month. Watch the mail for
your invitation.
May 18, 2006
Fashion Justice
This third-party event, a benefit to support
the Council’s Janice Morganroth Advocates
for Children Program, will feature a select
group of judges and lawyers in motion on
the runway. Chaired by Diana Dietle and
Julie Nelson-Klein, this fun event will be held
at the Community House in Birmingham.
The mission of the Child Abuse
and Neglect Council of Oakland County
is to be an advocate for the safety of
all children and to be a leading resource
in the prevention of child abuse and
the protection of children through
education, intervention, treatment
and research, in collaboration
with the community.
Please return all correspondence to:
The Child Abuse and Neglect Council
44765 Woodward Avenue
Pontiac, MI 48341
November 4, 2006
CARE House
The Child Abuse and Neglect Council
44765 Woodward Avenue
Pontiac, MI 48341
Please check
your address!
This is the contact
information we have
on file for you. If it
is not correct, please
contact Verna Piper
at 248.332.7173
Merry-Go-Round
Join us for this signature event - black tie
gala with silent auction, dinner and dancing to benefit the kids of CARE House. This
year’s honorees are L. Brooks Patterson, The
Handleman Company and Elaine Blouse.
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #19
Bloomfield Hills, MI