Summer 2012 - Child and Family Services

Child & Family Services of
the Upper Peninsula, Inc.
Quarterly Update
Celebrating 90 Years of Service
www.cfsup.org
Summer 2012
TV6 Adoption Feature ● A Foster Child Shares His Love For
OUR MISSION
Animals and Hopes Of Finding a Family
CFSUP aims to:
 Strengthen children and
families by providing
high-quality programs
throughout Michigan’s
Upper Peninsula.
 Provide programs that
preserve the dignity and
enhance the well-being of
families and their
individual members, which
are provided in a caring,
compassionate and
professional manner.
 Nurture and empower
children and families for a
brighter future.
IN THIS ISSUE
Avoiding Homelessness
In Dickinson County
2
Gratitude for
Strengthening Families
Program
3
1st Annual Rays of Hope
Dinner
4
BASP Receives Praise
5
CFSUP Annual Meeting
3rd Annual Family-toFamily ReSale
6
6
A Word From Norma
7
Upcoming Events
7
Staff Spotlight
7
When you speak to Blaine, it quickly becomes
apparent that his mind is working overtime.
There is always a thought churning around in
his head; you can see it in his deep blue eyes
and in the way his forehead creases when you
answer one of his thoughtful questions.
His inquisitiveness is an endearing quality, one
that becomes even more prominent if you
witness him around animals. “Why do you
think that turtle is friendly and the other is
shy?” he asked on a recent trip to the Upper
Peninsula Children’s Museum.
“Look at him! He barely skims the surface!
C’mon out, little friend, it’s okay! And why
won’t that snake eat even if the mouse is right
in front of him? He hasn’t eaten for a month.
You’d think he’d be hungry!” he exclaimed as
he peers into the glass aquarium.
Blaine, 13, is one of over 12,000 kids in
Michigan who reside in out-of-home care and
one of 290 available for adoption through the
Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange. Due to
the extent of neglect in his childhood, Blaine
was placed in residential care at the age of 10,
and has lived in different centers over the past
few years.
Continued on Page 3
Above: Blaine learns about caring for turtles from a
guide at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum. “I
think he likes me,” Blaine said as he gently pet the
turtle’s shell. “I think he wants to be my friend
because he is nice and calm around me.”
3rd Annual Family-Fun Carnival ● $4k Raised On Beautiful Day
A line formed almost immediately when
CFSUP volunteers opened the “doors” to the
3rd Annual Family Fun Carnival. Families piled
in to try their hand at fun games, bounce in the
inflatable house, and spend time having fun
together. Kids had their faces painted by teen
volunteers, stopped by the fortune teller to see
what was in the stars for them, and guessed
how many soccer balls were in the Chevy Sonic
for a chance to win a $25 Target gift card.
Above: George Hyde “won” this year’s pie contest with
But the real show stopper, as in years past, was
over one-quarter of the votes!
the Pie-in-the-Face Fundraiser. This year,
George Hyde took first with over one-quarter of
16.93%. Norma Semashko was also pied for
the votes (25.28%). Vicky Crystal took 2nd
coming in last.
Continued on Page 2
with 19.19% and Deb Veiht took third with
Celebrating 90 Years of Service
Page 2
Carnival—Continued
In addition to over 40
volunteers, there are many
businesses and people to thank
for such a great event:










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Lawry’s Pasties
Target
Larry and Kate Peterson
Cheryl Hill
Griffin Beverage
Econo Foods
Frei Chevrolet
Radio Eagle
Doug Chandler Photography
Mare-Z-Doats
John Kivela for State Rep.
Upper Peninsula Health Plan
Final Pie Tallies
George Hyde
25.28%
Vicky Crystal
19.19%
Deb Veiht
16.93%
Mark Canale
11.96%
Judy Watson Olson
10.16%
John Kivela
9.48%
Norma Semashko
7.00%
Thanks for being great sports!
Clock wise from top left: (1) Kids scramble to get leftover water balloons after the balloon toss was over.
(2) Laura Petrie volunteered to entertain the crowd. (3) A sweet carnival-goer gets her face painted. (4)
Executive Director Norma Semashko pies Marquette Area Public Schools Superintendent Deb Veiht. (5)
Marquette Mayor John Kivela pies TV6 Morning Anchor Vicky Crystal. (6) A supporter pies the contest
winner, attorney and Juvenile Court Referee George Hyde. (6) Event Coordinator Bobbi Nease pies
Executive Director Norma Semashko, who came in last.
A link to event photos, taken by Doug Chandler, can be
found on our website, www.cfsup.org.
We ♥ Our
Volunteers!
A big THANK YOU
to those who helped!
Pam Grundstrom
Mary Knauss
Anna Glinn
Kevin Duby
Theresa Nease
Alanna Semashko
Monique Musgrave
Cathy Niemi
Allison Cherrette
Shelley Young
Claire Young
Katie Ritzenhein
Steve Hytinen
Terri Brittain
Cathy Crimmins
Joan Miller
Don Miller
Karen Chandler
Doug Chandler
Alice Miller
Lincoln Frazier
Greg Semashko
Deb Pascoe
Melissa Pascoe
Julie Burch
John & Glynda Curtis and
granddaughter Emma
AnnaLynn Fortino
Anne Rydholm
Doug Morton
Jim Grundstrom
Ryan Nummela and family
Brian & Patti Lingle
Bryce Lingle
Grace Lingle
Siena Lingle
Ethan Lingle
Brady Skewis
Quinn Whitford
Rylee Whitford
Ashley Burns
Kelly Cygan
Lynn Pittman
Larry Pittman
Josh Phillips
Cheryl Hill
Karen Duquette
Paula Waeghe
Amelia Waeghe
Funds Help Families Avoid Homelessness ● Dickinson Area Community
Foundation Grant Helps Local Families Gain Footing
CFSUP received a $900 grant from the Dickinson Area brink of homelessness. One unpaid bill can determine whether
Community Foundation last October to provide one-time or not their family has a roof over their head.”
emergency assistance to families in Dickinson County.
According to the Homeless Veterans Report and the U.S.
This assistance allowed CFSUP to help four families prevent Census Bureau, Dickinson County has a 9.9% unemployment
homelessness by providing security deposits, first month’s rate and 10.7% of its citizens live in poverty. That accounts for
rent, and utility deposits. These families experienced financial 2,254 individuals living below poverty level in Dickinson
hardship and without CFSUP’s help and the funding from the County alone. These risk factors make some Dickinson County
Dickinson Area Community Foundation, these families would residents especially susceptible to homelessness.
have become homeless.
For more information on homelessness prevention assistance
“It really is that simple,” says Contracts & Program Manager in the U.P., visit www.cfsup.org or call (906) 228-4050 x 100.
Katie Ritzenhein. “Many families across the U.P. live on the
www.cfsup.org
Page 3
Strengthening Families Program Hits Home ●
Staff Receive “Thank You” Letters From Kids and Parents
Dear Chasity, Missy, Julia, and Brandee,
Last year when we met at the garage sale for the homeless you guys
thought we were such great kids for coming out and helping you set up.
Little did you know, my dad made us. But now, I’m glad we came out and
met all of you.
The impact you made on my life and my family's lives is amazing. The first
week we came to Strengthening Families, my sister Katie* and I were like,
“Oh no, what are we in for?” But then as the individual classes got started
we had fun and learned a lot about how to deal with situations and the
things we needed to work on as a family. By the time the next week came
around I couldn’t wait to come to Strengthening Families.
I can tell you right now that you helped my family learn to stop yelling
better than any psychiatrist or counselor could have. I don't feel the need
to yell at my younger brother and sisters and my parents stopped yelling at
us so much also. One other thing that you did for my family was you
helped bridge the gap and open the doors for communication. Thank you
guys ever so much.
Abby*
" ear SFP Coordinators,
D
I have to say that when Derek*
approached me and said were signed up
for a parenting class, I thought, “You
fool! I have 7 children that everyone
brags about! What could they possibly
teach me?” I was offended and upset.
That was pride.
During this class I learned that I’m not as
good as I thought. My children have
shown me that I yell too much and I don't
spend enough one-on-one time with my
children. Your class has taught me to love
more. I share what I have learned with
my friends and family. I pray you are a
success in the future as you have been for
my family.
Love, Edie*
*Names have been changed.
For information about the
Strengthening Families Program,
please contact Danielle Slattery at (906)
228-4050 x 121 or [email protected].
family. “Blaine loves to learn and
understand how things work. He loves
Blaine longs to be part of a family, but is pets. Animals are very good for him. He
afraid to hope for one because he thinks is gentle, concerned for them, and he
that many families who are looking to prioritizes them.”
adopt want young children.
Blaine — Continued from Page 1
CFSUP’s Adoption Specialist, Terri
Brittain, has spent a lot of time with
Blaine as she endeavors to recruit a
Above: Blaine theorizes a water pressure
exhibit with Adoption Specialist Terri Brittain.
“Animals are good for
Blaine. He is gentle and
concerned for them.”
Animals are also a way that Blaine can
polish his social skills. “Blaine is
delighted when he learns something new
about an animal. It really is a pathway of
communication for him. He notices when
the animals have boundaries, and he can
translate that into human boundaries.
Birds, dogs, cats. He notices their Above: Blaine and Terri play peek-a-boo by
emotions. They all help him learn.”
opening and closing the eye-lids via drawstrings.
While Blaine remains in foster care, the
Blaine bashfully explained to TV6 News
word has begun to spread about finding
Director Regina Robinson that he likes to
the right family for him. TV6 recently
try new things outdoors, such as swiminterviewed Blaine at the Children’s
ming or fishing. He is originally from a
Museum. Polite, yet clearly focused on small town and likes to have lots of space
figuring out the inner-workings of a to ride his bike.
nearby machine, Blaine answered
Continued on Page 4
questions about his life and his hopes for
the future.
Celebrating 90 Years of Service
Page 4
1st Annual ‘Rays of Hope’ Dinner ● Local Chef and Band Entertains CFSUP Supporters
When CFSUP staff members were selling
Chevy Sonic raffle tickets at the Boat, Sport
and RV Show in Marquette in March, chef
Ray Selvidio stopped by their table to see what
the organization was all about.
“He popped his head in on a conversation we
were having, and told us he’d like to offer his
services for a fundraiser,” says Bobbi Nease,
CFSUP’s Development & Communications
Coordinator, who plans the agency’s
fundraising events. “That never happens! We
took his number and called him the following
Monday.”
From there, a vision was born. Named “Rays
of Hope” as a nod to the chef who so
generously gave his time and talent, the
fundraiser took place on May 20 at the Elks
Supper Club in Marquette, with band members
from Queen of Hearts generously donating
their time and talents to the evening as well.
Above: Guests mingle before sitting down to a three-course meal, prepared by Ray
Selvedio and several other volunteers.
Below: Executive Director Norma Semashko and CFSUP’s Board of Directors’ 2nd Vice
President Al Hendra dance for the crowd to songs from Queen of Hearts.
Ray and the volunteers took a bow at the end
of the night to a standing ovation. Remarking
on how important it is to give back to the
community, Ray promised to make the Rays
of Hope dinner an annual event. The 2nd
Annual Rays of Hope dinner is scheduled for
Sunday, October 21 at the Masonic Temple in
Marquette.
For more information on upcoming
fundraisers, please visit www.cfsup.org.
Blaine —
Continued from Page 3
Terri says that potential parents for Blaine
would be good listeners, use respectful and
direct communication, and like structure in
their home. “Blaine needs someone to be consistent in their boundaries and rules, as he likes
to adhere to a schedule and is happy to know
what the plan for the day will be,” says Terri.
“He likes to learn and has hopes of becoming a
good friend. Above all, he wants to experience
some fun. A home-schooling situation would
be ideal for Blaine. He also hopes to have
siblings around the same age or a bit older than
him.”
About 98% of the children listed on MARE’s
website (www.mare.org) have some sort of
impairment, be it physical, emotional, learning
or mental, which can sometimes make finding
the right match difficult.
Continued on Page 5
Right: The
Michigan
Adoption
Resource
Exchange
(MARE)
designed a
poster for
Blaine. The
text reads:
“Blaine
would like
good food,
a warm
place to
sleep and
someone he
can count
on to be
truthful
with him.
He would like to live where he can swim, tinker with mechanical things in the garage and
maybe have a pet. Blaine is motivated to learn how to read better and would like a family
who will assist him in doing this so he can eventually earn his drivers license. For more
information on opening your home to Blaine, please contact Terri Brittain at [email protected] or by calling 906.228.4050 or visit www.mare.org to view Blaine’s profile.”
www.cfsup.org
Page 5
“It Was An Ideal Way To Start His Days” ●
Before School Program and Kinder Club Receive Praise
Dear Friends at Child & Family Services,
I would like to thank all of you for the very positive experience our
family has had with both the Before School Program and Kinder Club
at Sandy Knoll Elementary. Our son, Joseph, has enjoyed spending
time there. It has been an ideal way to start his days, playing in a place
where he is safe and cared for, and then off to his classroom in a
routine that was easy for him to follow. It made my work day go so
much better, knowing he way happy and safe. I appreciated the warm
welcome he received each day, and how well thought-out the activities
and games were.
Please give my thanks to each and every one of your staff.
I am also sending a note of support and appreciation to
Superintendent Veiht, on your behalf, telling her how
much we appreciate this program and hope to see it be
continued and supported.
“Our supporters are looking to
give back to the community…
and they are instrumental in
helping us get the word out.
Best wishes,
Jan and Mike Hutchens
Left: North Star Academy students use nets and buckets to look for
fish at Marquette’s Presque Isle Park on the last day of school at the
After School Program.
CFSUP thanks the Kaufman Foundation for a $1,000 grant
for field trips for Summer Youth Program attendees!
Blaine —
Continued from Page 4
While it can take a while to find the right
fit, those who adopt find that their lives
are enriched exponentially. “A lot of
people immediately say, ‘Oh, I could
never do that’. But you don’t know until
you find the right child for your family,”
says Terri, who believes that families
have limitless potential.
they’d think about sharing their home
with someone who needs it. Would they
want to be part of changing a child’s
life? Many times parents will realize
why they’ve been teaching their kids to
be caring and giving all along.
“We can’t forget
about them. We can’t
turn our backs.”
“If you want to enrich the future of
children’s lives, there is so much any
family can do beyond what they believe
they are capable of. People think it’s too
hard, too expensive, too something.
What they don’t know is that they are a And, just as you never know how much
perfect fit for a child out there—just as potential a child has until they are part of
a loving environment, you never know
they are.”
how much these children have to teach
Terri urges any family with a hint of us about ourselves and the world around
interest in adoption to simply start us, until they become a part of your life.”
talking about it with family members.
Terri says Blaine is preparing himself to
“Ask your kids, if you have them, what be a positive, helpful member of a
family. “Blaine has made amazing,
fantastic progress in the past few years.
He participates in the decisions he is
making. He is very compassionate,” says
Terri. “He wants to do the right thing.”
Blaine recently called Terri after seeing a
commercial about an animal welfare
shelter on TV. “He was upset. He said,
‘We can’t forget about them. Someone
has to help these animals. The
commercial said, Don’t turn your back.
We can’t turn our backs.’”
To learn more about children available
for adoption in Michigan, visit the
Michigan
Adoption
Resource
Exchange’s website at www.mare.org.
To learn more about the process of
adoption or how CFSUP can help you,
contact Terri Brittain at (906) 228-4050
x 104 or [email protected]. A direct
link to Blaine’s listing in MARE’s Heart
Gallery can be found at www.cfsup.org.
Celebrating 90 Years of Service
Page 6
CFSUP Annual Meeting ● Agency Celebrates 93 Years and Plans For A Bright Future
Staff and board members gathered at
Northern Michigan University’s Great
Lakes Room in May for the agency’s
annual meeting.
“Staff
were
delighted
to
use the time
together
this
year to focus
Staff and board members received
on crafting a
training on ‘Elevator Speeches’ by
message
to
CFSUP’s Development & Communicashare what we
tions Coordinator, Bobbi Nease.
do with others,
“We found that the more
our co-workers shared,
the clearer our own
messages became.”
be it the public,
fellow service
providers, potential clients
or the media.
We found that
the more our
Above: (L) Contracts & Program Manager congratulates Delta County
Wraparound Coordinator Cheryl Corden on ten years of service.
co-workers
shared, the clear- (R) Francy Economy, Foster Care/Licensing Worker and Therapist, receives
“While one of our strengths as an agency
her ten-year pin from Executive Director Norma Semashko.
er our own mesis that our staff members work in the
sages became.”
communities in which they live, that
New Board seats were instated for two
means we have 56 staff members who are Staff also received pins for different year terms. Joan Miller took over as
spread across the U.P.’s 15 counties. lengths of service with the agency. President, while Anne Rydholm and Al
Because of the costs of gas nowadays, it Francy Economy, Cheryl Corden, and Hendra were appointed 1st and 2nd Vice
is rare for us to come together,” says Julia Nutter received 10-Year pins, while President, respectively. Doug Morton was
Craig Kitchen and Amie Brown received appointed a second term as Treasurer and
Bobbi.
5-Year pins.
Pam Grundstrom will remain Secretary.
Saturday, August 4th, 2012
3rd Annual
Family-to-Family
RESALE!
8am to 1pm
North Star Academy Gym
3030 Wright Street, Marquette
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
$2 suggested donation
Kids under 12 free
RESERVE A SPACE/TABLE
$20 per 8’ table — Reserve by 7/27
$15 if you can bring your own table!
De-clutter your closets
Keep 100% of your proceeds
 Support a good cause!


Proceeds from table sales will support
Child & Family Services’ Before & After School Programs
www.cfsup.org
Page 7
Choo Choo!From
● We’rethe
changing
the wayDirector:
we recognize our donors!
Executive
Dear Friends,
You can always tell we’ve been busy when our newsletter is full of pictures! We have so
much to celebrate these days and so many events and fundraisers, so it makes sense that
these pages are filled with smiling faces and laughter.
Our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers have really stepped up to the plate this spring
and summer. We’ve been pounding the pavement at community events, selling raffle tickets
and sharing our freshly crafted ‘elevator speeches’ (Pg. 6) with the public. We’ve also just
celebrated a successful carnival (Pg. 1), and are already planning new elements for the 4th
Annual Family-Fun Carnival, tentatively scheduled for June 22, 2013.
Our whirlwind summer will wrap up soon, with our 3rd Annual Family-to-Family ReSale on
August 4th and the drawing of the raffle winner for a 2012 Chevy Sonic on August 25.
I hope you’ll consider buying a raffle ticket for just $5 (or five
for $20!). We’re in it together to help children across the U.P.
and this is just one way you can show your support. You might
win a new car while you’re at it!
Sincerely,
Mark Your Calendars! ● Where you can find us in 2012...
July 27: Blueberry Fest from 10am to 7pm
We’ll be at this fun downtown Marquette
event selling tickets for the Chevy Sonic
raffle. Stop by with your kids and get a
temporary tattoo!
August 4: 3rd Annual Family-toFamily ReSale from 8am to 1pm
See page 6 for information about reserving
tables. This event will have tables hosted by
members of the community, selling gently-
worn clothing and like-new toys, among
many other items. $2 suggested donation.
August 24-25: Marquette Rotary West
Seafood Fest from noon to 7pm
We’ll be drawing the much-anticipated
winner of a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Raffle.
Come visit us for last-minute tickets, facepainting and a great time at Marquette’s
Lower Harbor Park.
Executive Director
Norma Semashko
Board of Directors
Joan Miller
President
Anne Rydholm
1st Vice President
Al Hendra
2nd Vice President
Doug Morton
Treasurer
Pamalene Grundstrom
Secretary
Julie Frazier
Thomas Clark
Cathy Crimmins
Toyo Kaumeheiwa
Mary Knauss
Rick Nebel
Joyce Sauer
Jeffrey Waeghe
Robert Wood
Rosemary Smith
706 Chippewa Square
Suite 200
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 228-4050
Fax: (906) 228-2153
child&[email protected]
Staff Spotlight ● Debbie Moore Receives Kudos From Alger/Schoolcraft DHS
Dear Ms. Ritzenhein:
I appreciate having the opportunity to write this letter for the services of the Wraparound program in Schoolcraft County. It
has become a very valuable referral source for our clients and staff utilization. The program addresses specific needs of our
clients in a very professional manner.
I would like to acknowledge Debbie Moore… [who] has provided excellent services to the families she has been assigned.
She has the ability to be firm and direct families to meet their needs, but can accomplish this in a very caring manner.
I have witnessed Ms. Moore go above and beyond the call of duty to help families. The Department is also pleased with the
open communication and timely reports that she provides. I believe the real impact of the quality of services provided by
Wraparound is that several families have remained with the service even after their case has been closed by the court based
on their request.
Sincerely, Steve Latterman
706 Chippewa Square, Suite 200
Marquette, MI 49855
Child & Family Services of
the Upper Peninsula, Inc.
Child & Family Services of
the Upper Peninsula, Inc.
Quarterly Update
Summer 2012
Child & Family Services of the
Upper Peninsula, Inc., is a private,
non-profit, non-sectarian agency that
has been serving Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula with programs for youth
and families for 90 years.
Working collaboratively with the
Department of Human Services,
community mental health agencies,
state and local law enforcement,
health departments, substance abuse
treatment providers, hospitals, prosecutors, the courts, the school systems, and community members,
CFSUP strives to strengthen children
and families by providing highquality social service programs.
$5 OR 5/$20
Drawing to be held at the
2012 Marquette West Rotary
Seafood Fest
Win a Chevy
Sonic!
at Mattson Lower Harbor Park on
Saturday, August 25, 2012
at 7:00PM.
Tickets now available at Frei Chevrolet
in Marquette, CFSUP offices U.P.-wide
and online at www.cfsup.org.
Proceeds support CFSUP in working toward
their mission of strengthening children and
families for a brighter future.
● Adoption ● Before & After School Program ● Botvin Lifeskills Training ● Centralized Intake Agency ● Counseling ● Diversion
● Family Support Program ● Family Empowerment Program ● Foster Care ● From Decisions to Actions ● Homelessness Central
Intake Agency ● Homeless Prevention Program ● Juvenile Incentive Program ● Kinder Club ● Menominee Educational Support
Program ● Peer Recovery Support Services ● Project: HOPE Basic Centers East and West ● Strengthening Families Program ●
Supportive Housing for Youth Program ● Wraparound ●
www.cfsup.org
Your business tag line here.