CAN Talk October 2012

October 2012
VOL. 24 NO.4
“Together we CAN stop child abuse and neglect”
what’s inside ...
2
The President’s Point Of View
You think a child has been abused.
What do you do?
The CAN Council has created this simple card to tuck in your wallet so you always have the answer.
3 Staff Updates
Parent’s Corner
4 CASA Program Updates
If you suspect a child is in immediate
danger, don’t delay – call 911.
Parent’s Corner Cont.
For more information on child abuse
and how you can help break the cycle,
call CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region
at (989) 752-7226.
5 CAPE & CAC Program Updates
News to Know
*All calls to this Michigan Department of Human
Services hotline are kept confidential.
6 Helping Hands
7 News to Share
Save the Date!
Give your coworkers, friends, parenting group members, and parishioners one of these cards.
“We are building communities
where children are
free from abuse and neglect.”
Pick some up today at either CAN Council office.
Interested in learning more about child abuse? Call to schedule a workshop today.
CAN Council
President’s Point of View
2011-2012 Board of Directors
Drewe Robinson
Thomas Braley
Board Chair
Vice Chair
Jane Anderson
Janice Doner
Treasurer
Secretary
Johanne Luth
Suzanne Greenberg
Past Chair
President
Tammy Bernier
Mary Lou Case
Sandy DuRussel
Cindy Howell
Linda McGee
Roger Pickering
Karen Stiffler
Matthew Sujkowski
Pam Winters
Pat Birdsall
Connie Downing
Lisa Hall
Mark Jordan
Cynthia Morley
Linda Schneider
Vickie Stuart
Mike Wiltse
STAFF
Barb Andrews
Heather Appold
CAC Forensic Interviewer
Community Outreach Coordinator
Rhoda Dietrich
Danelle Elliott
Prevention Education Specialist Education Coordinator
Harry Frederick
Delores Gale
CAC Medical Director
Development Director
Suzanne Greenberg
Vera Harrison
President/CEO
CAPE Program Director
Brandi Hawley
Emily Holty
CASA Supervisor
Public Awareness Specialist
Laura Kelley
Jill Krol
Business Manager
CAC Forensic Interviewer
Katie LaFleur, MSW
Samantha Langston
CAC Care Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
Danielle Lesko, MSW
Catherine Martinez
CAC Care Coordinator
Community Development Director
Tammie Meyer
Gloria Novak
Administrative Assistant
CASA Supervisor
Randy Roberts
Sarah Rogers
CASA Program Director
CAC Case Coordinator
Bonnie Skornia
Gert Thomas
CAC Program Director
Housekeeping
CAN Council
1311 N. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 752-7226
FAX: (989) 752-2777
CAN Council
Nathan Weidner Center
715 N. Euclid Avenue
Bay City, MI 48706
(989) 671-1345
FAX: (989) 671-2365
www.cancouncil.org
is a quarterly publication of the CAN Council Great
Lakes Bay Region and is distributed as a complimentary service to
supporters and other professionals of Saginaw and Bay County.
2
October 2012
“Far and away, the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work
worth doing.” ~Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)
During this beautiful fall season with leaves changing color and the promise of snow around
the corner, I am reminded that each moment and each person has a purpose. Because you are
someone who believes in the mission of the CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region, you will read
in this issue of CAN Talk about all the programs, services and activities that we are engaged in
during the school year. As a volunteer or a donor, we invite you to join us in our critical “work
worth doing”.
In our daily work, we strive to provide valuable information and expertise to the children, families and professionals we reach. On the cover of CAN Talk, you read about the new card that was
created by our Public Awareness Team and designed by our partners at AGP & Associates, Inc.
This card contains Michigan’s new statewide, centralized phone number (855-444-3911) for
calling Children’s Protective Services. Whether you are from the UP, Detroit or our own region,
if you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, please call this number (855-444-3911).
The other new resource in our region is 211. If you or someone you know has a non-emergency
need—call 211! It’s just that simple. We live in a region where we are just a phone call away
from caring people who are dedicated to protecting our children and helping us find the resources we need! That’s news worth sharing.
As always, I invite you to enjoy this edition of CAN Talk. If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions, please contact us through our website at www.cancouncil.org Our website will be the
best place to learn more about the regional efforts of the CAN Council!
With the best interest of children in mind,
Suzanne Greenberg
CUT OUT AND SAVE
To report
suspected
abuse or
neglect,
please call:
Department of Human Services:
Protective Services Division
(855) 444-3911
Para reportar una sospecha de
abuso sexual a un nino, llame al
DHS al numero
(855) 444-3911.
Where to find help ...
Non-Emergency Help....................................................................211
Bay Area Women’s Center (Domestic Violence)............. 989-686-4551
Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health (Counseling)................. 989-695-2330
Child & Family Services (Counseling)............................ 989-790-7500
Community Child Care (Referral Service)...................... 989-497-0680
Crisis Center (Mental Health)........................................ 989-792-9732
Family Youth Initiative (Teen Support)......................... 877-FYI-4YOU
Innerlink (Teen Runaway)............................................ 989-753-3431
Lead Hotline................................................................. 800-MI-TOXIC
Mental Health Services................................................ 989-797-3400
Parent Helpline............................................................ 800-942-HELP
Parent Resource Center (Parent/Child Programs)......... 989-759-3625
Saginaw Psychological................................................. 989-799-2100
Sexual Assault Center (Counseling).............................. 989-790-9118
Underground Railroad (Domestic Violence).................. 989-755-0411
Westlund Guidance Clinic (Counseling)........................ 989-793-4790
Parent’s Corner
staff updates
Samantha Langston
joins the CAN Council as
the new Receptionist/
Clerical Assistant for the
CAN Council-Nathan
Weidner Center. She
currently is pursuing a
social work degree from Saginaw Valley State
University and has obtained an associate
degree in science-office administration and
a liberal arts degree from Delta College.
Samantha has worked for the last three years
as an office professional supporting Facilities
Management and the Sustainability Office of
Delta College. She is a Bay City native who
has been involved with Reducing the Risk
Program, Paint ‘N’ Pride, AIDS Walk, Tours of
Homes, Pine-Ridge Cemetery clean up, March
of Dimes, the Bay County Historical Museum,
and Trombley House. She has a strong desire
to help others. Welcome Samantha!
My name is Andrea
Studaker and I am the
new intern at the Child
Advocacy Center here at
the CAN Council for the
fall and winter semesters.
I am currently a senior at
Saginaw Valley State University where I am
studying social work. After graduating in
May 2013, I plan to attend graduate school at
Michigan State University. I hope to pursue
a social work career in the healthcare field,
such as in a hospital or assisted living center.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming,
spending time with family and friends, and
being in the outdoors. I am eager to learn as
much as possible while I am here at the CAN
Council Great Lakes Bay Region!
Tammie Meyer, a CAN
employee of two years,
has earned her associate
degree in criminal justice.
In addition to working
full-time and attending
school, she volunteers
every Wednesday and
Saturday as a case manager for the House of
Mercy Homeless Shelter in Midland and is
very committed to assisting her home parish.
CAN’s business manager, Laura Kelley says,
“Tammie’s commitment to furthering her
education, while staying dedicated to the CAN
Council, is commendable. The knowledge
she received through her coursework will not
only benefit Tammie personally, but will also
benefit the CAN Council and the children we
serve.” The entire CAN team wishes Tammie
all the best as she further pursues her bachelor
degree!
Kayla Anderson is the new
intern for the CAN CouncilNathan Weidner Center. She
is currently a senior at
Saginaw Valley State
University majoring in social
work. She has received an
associate of child development degree from
Delta College. While attending Delta, she
interned at the Bay Area Women’s Center in
Bay City. She’s currently employed as assistant
director at the Lollipops Childcare Center and
is a service crew team member at McDonald’s
Restaurant. In her spare time, she enjoys all
outdoor activities with her husband of one
year, Craig. Kayla is eager to learn all aspects of
the social work field and work with families in
need. Welcome Kayla!
CUT OUT AND SAVE
Making Holiday Memories
Take time this holiday season to create
memories your children will treasure for
a lifetime. Use these suggestions as you
develop your family traditions:
•
Let your children use their talents
to help decorate the house. Make
holiday placemats from basic art
supplies (construction paper, stickers, markers, glitter, etc.) for your
holiday meal.
•
Show your children how good it feels
to GIVE! Bake, package and deliver
holiday treats for family and friends
together.
•
Read holiday stories together. Visit
your library or a local book store
for a variety of holiday books.
Bring home a story you remember
from your childhood along with a
new one of your child’s choosing.
Consider also selecting a book about
a holiday that you or your child may
want to learn more about.
•
Share the work and the pride that
comes from seeing a job well done!
Let your child help prepare a portion
of the holiday meal. Kids can handle
mashing potatoes, measuring and
mixing muffin ingredients, scooping
ice cream, etc.
October 2012
3
Parent’s Corner....Cont.
•
Encourage your children to be
thankful. While the holiday dinner
is cooking, help your children cut
leaves from construction paper,
punch a hole in each and run a
string through the hole to use for
hanging. Distribute one leaf to each
family member. Ask everyone to
write what they’re thankful for on
the leaf they’ve been given. Take
the kids out to hunt for items to
make a “tree” (a large stick with
branches still attached, a pail, and
rocks to weigh down the pail and
keep the stick propped up). Take
turns reading your leaves to each
other and hanging them on your
Thanksgiving Tree.
CASA program updates
10 Years Advocating for Saginaw’s Youth
At a courthouse barbeque, our CASA program recently celebrated ten years of advocating for Saginaw’s most-vulnerable youth. Nearly 100 people attended the celebration where CAN presented
the Honorable Judge Faye Harrison with an award recognizing her tireless support for the CASA
Program. CASA Director, Randy Roberts, also presented the Junior League of Saginaw Valley with
an award for members’ volunteer commitments to CASA as well as the group’s financial support.
To commemorate CASA’s contributions to our community, Abele Greenhouse planted a tree and
spruced up the landscaping at the Family Courthouse on Hospital Road.
At the 10-year celebration, the Honorable
Fred Borchard swore in four new CASA
volunteers: Dawn Hinton, Helen Lewis,
Ricco Ruiz and Joel Tanner. Three of
these new CASAs have already been assigned cases allowing them to advocate for
a combined 13 children.
Thank you to everybody who assisted with the celebration: Sarah Byam, Bill Glover,
Kent Greenfelder, Tim Jacques, Val Lee, Cindy Morley, Mike Sovansky and everyone who
contributed to the event’s potluck! Congratulations to our CASA staff and volunteers!
10 Years of CASA
Children: 825 youth served by a trained CASA
Volunteers: 193 specially-trained CASAs
Spending time together, especially
during the holidays, is the greatest
gift you can give your children.
Help Make the Holidays Special for CASA Children
Consider donating new children’s or teen clothes, outerwear or toys to make the holidays special
for CASA children. If you have a Santa costume you’re willing to wear or loan to CAN for the CASA
holiday party, contact Randy at (989) 752-7226.
More CASA volunteers are needed. Be the person that a child can count on!
Applications are being accepted for upcoming training classes.
Call Randy today at (989) 752-7226.
4
October 2012
CAPE program updates
Incredible Years Parenting Classes Starting Soon
Do you wish you got along better with your child?
Do you want the yelling & arguing to stop?
Incredible Years is a 20-week program that helps
you get along better with your child. Childcare and
a meal are provided at each 2-hour class of the 20week program.
Incredible Years will be offered soon in Saginaw’s
Cathedral District, at Saginaw Public Schools and
DHS.
Interested in the program? Call (989) 752-7226, and CAN staff will
contact you once a class is created.
CAC program updates
This August, members of the CAC team were privileged with the opportunity to attend the 24th Crimes Against Children Conference held in
Dallas, TX. The CAC team members attending the conference included:
Forensic Interviewer, Barb Andrews, and Care Coordinators, Danielle
Lesko and Katie LaFleur. Detective Kerns, member of the multidisciplinary team from the Saginaw Sheriff’s Department, was also able
to attend. This conference was hosted by the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center and Dallas Police
Department with the goal of
providing practical instruction
on the newest ideas and most
successful intervention strategies. The conference is designed
to assist professionals involved
in investigating and prosecuting
crimes against children cases
as well as those who help children through their healing process. The
team was able to gain new information and implement some of the
latest interventions to help assist children and non-offending
caregivers through the investigation process.
News to know
Would you rather receive your CAN Talk electronically?
email [email protected] to begin receiving CAN’s quarterly newsletter in your email inbox.
Call 211 for help
Short on food? Can’t make your rent or pay your water bill this month?
Need clothes to go back to work or send your child to school? Call 211
for help.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities will no longer be listed in CAN Talk. Instead,
please be sure to check cancouncil.org/calendar for upcoming events
which require assistance from CAN volunteers. Additionally, volunteers
will continue to receive mailings with upcoming volunteer activities.
If you do not currently receive these mailings but would like to, please
email [email protected]. Thank you for your commitment to
the children & families of our Great Lakes Bay Region!
Help is just a “click” away
Call 211 and you will be connected to services that can provide you
with food, rent assistance, health insurance, shelter, and treatment
for addiction. 211 answers calls all day, every day.
Whole Family Connection links
families with help. Visit
BAwholefamily.com to learn more.
This is a new service of the Great
Start Collaborative in Bay & Arenac
counties.
Prefer to search for help online? Visit http://www.refersoftware.com/
uwmc/ for services throughout Northeast Michigan.
October 2012
5
helping hands
Golfing for Saginaw’s Children
Covenant HealthCare donated its first-place cash prize from the United Way’s 9th Annual Jason Richardson Golf Classic to the CAN Council. Thank
you to Ed and Nathan Bruff, Jim Foresman, and Herb Spence for using their golfing skills to help protect our children. CAN is honored to be
Covenant’s charity of choice!
Pig Gig
For the last 14 years, CAN Council
Nathan Weidner Center volunteers have
raised awareness and dollars for the
prevention of child abuse and neglect
at the Pig Gig in Bay City, and that is
something to oink about! $462 was
raised from the “Spin the Wheel” for a
prize. Rib competitor Sgt. Oink was able to round up $425 during the
rib cook-off and longtime Labadie Pig Gig organizer Wendy Dore donated $1,500. We appreciate all those who donated prizes especially
Diana Peters of McDonald’s, and all our volunteers.
Tuesday's Toolmen
The Tuesday Toolmen of Bay County
were an integral part of the recent
repairs and upgrades at our Nathan
Weidner Center. Tuesday Toolmen,
a program created through RSVP and the United Way, are retired
contractors, electricians, plumbers and builders who volunteer their
time making minor repairs for senior citizens, families and individuals
with low incomes.
Tuesday Toolmen Bob Rejeskie & Jim Richardson, Archie Gittens of
United Way, Jim Lamkin, Jim Mader, and Joseph Thomas, Josh Thomas
& Brian Mahfoud of Local #85 conducted plumbing, drywalling, &
electrical repairs, and painted throughout the building. Tuesday Toolmen, Habitat for Humanity, Home Depot, Supreme Carpet, and CAN
volunteer Cameron Badour completed the baseboard. Thank you for
making the children and families we serve more comfortable!
Securing Advocates for Abused Children
Mike & Amy Beyerlein, owners of Grand Central
Sports Bar & Grill, hosted the 4th Annual Kruisin’
4 Kids Fun Run on Saturday, August 11th to benefit
CASA of Saginaw County. Funds from the Run will
help CASA provide advocates for Saginaw children
who are in the foster care system due to abuse or neglect. To all
the bikers that ran despite the rain, thank you for having a heart for
children! Thanks to Auburn Hotel, Bruce’s Bar, Castaways, Joe’s Bar and
Roadside Inn for contributing to the event as well.
Bobby Randall’s 4th Annual
Birthday Bash Concert
This year the concert was put
together to raise money for 94.5
“The Moose” charities of choice.
Jim Biggins, radio personality for 94.5 The Moose, chose the CAN
Council to be his charity of choice. The concert was held on Sunday,
September 16. Gates opened at noon and the concert went until 8 p.m.
Those who attended had a full day of great music and the last band
was a special treat, Black Hawk showed up and sang! You couldn’t have
asked for a better day to hold the concert and they even raffled-off a
guitar that was signed by many famous celebrities such as Charlie
Daniels and George Straight, to name a few! Next year’s concert is
already in the planning stages, plan to come and support the cause!
Little Kids With Mighty Missions: a faith community in action
Caris, the local girl who last year encouraged her St. Lorenz classmates to “Fill a Tub with Grub” for abused children
interviewed at CAN, was part of another recent inspiring contribution to the Council. Caris’ mother, Carla, encouraged Caris and her fellow Faith Lutheran Vacation Bible School classmates to contribute their change to the CAN
Council in lieu of paying a fee for VBS. The group raised more than $600 in coins for CAN staff to haul back to the
office!
Thank you Caris, Carla and Faith Lutheran Church family for your truly generous & inspiring acts!
6
October 2012
THE 2013
CA N COUNCIL
CALENDAR
Featuring local children, the calendars are
perfect gifts for customers, employees,
family and friends. Proceeds will benefit
local children and families. Call Delores
Gale at (989) 752-7226 for details or
visit cancouncil.org to purchase the
calendar.
COST
15
$
E AC H
available
OCTOBER
15
Thank you to AGP & Associates, Inc.; Image Artz Photography; and The F.P. Horak Company for their in-kind contributions.
News to Share-save the date
Save yourself
the trouble
of cooking
Monday,
November
12th.
Visit BWW’s
with this
voucher and
support the
CAN Council.
Looking for a way to
spend your
Thanksgiving
Holiday?
Check out this holiday
concert at the
State Theater,
Saturday, November 24
at 7pm.
Proceeds benefit the
CAN Council Great Lakes
Bay Region!
Limited seating
For more information regarding these exciting events, contact Delores Gale at (989) 752-7226.
October 2012
7
1311 N. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
Change Service Requested
October 2012
VOL. 24 NO.4
Designated Council for the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) and United Way of Saginaw & Bay Counties

Full Member of the National Children’s Alliance

Accredited Member of the National CASA Association

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Saginaw, MI
Permit No. 487