2012 Big House Big Heart Charity Race

Join Michigan CASA at the Big House Big Heart Charity Race

5K, 10K & 1-mile Fun Run

April 15, 2012

About the Big House Big Heart Charity Race

On April 15, the Big House Big Heart race starts and finishes at the University of Michigan’s famous football stadium — the Big House. The chip-timed 5K and 10K events start on the corner of Kipke and Green and takes you through the University of Michigan’s beautiful campus with a spectacular finish — a run through the Big House tunnel and onto the field. You’ll finish on the 50 yard line and watch yourself on the Big House Big Screen!

If you aren’t ready for a full 5K or 10K, there is also a 1 mile fun run!

More race info is available at www.thebighousebigheart.com.

How to Register

1. Register for the race here: www.thebighousebigheart.com.

2. Send an email to Sara Gargasoulas at: sara.gargasoulas@gmail.com to get all the fundraising and race day details.

Announcing Michigan CASA’s 2011 Patricia Wagner CASA Volunteer of the Year Award Winner: Ricky Goodman

Michigan Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is very proud to congratulate Ricky Goodman, recipient of the 2011 Michigan CASA Patricia Wagner CASA Volunteer of the Year Award. This Michigan CASA award, awarded annually by the Board of Directors, was presented to Ricky Goodman on Saturday, November 12 at the 2011 Michigan CASA Conference held in Lansing, Michigan.

Ricky Goodman has been a volunteer with CASA of Kent County for 12 years and has advocated for 37 children in 13 cases. Ricky has consistently impressed the Family Court judges with her diligence, dedication to children, tenacity and indefatigable energy. Whether she is managing eight children placed in three separate homes or a newborn, intervening for education resources or better placements, tracking down a mother in a local bar or watching for a parent on a dark street, Ricky works to make certain that every child she advocates for is safe from harm, provided resources to help heal, and given every opportunity for growth, success and happiness. Her heart is large, her love is genuine, and she has met and exceeded every expectation that comes with being a CASA volunteer.

The Patricia Wagner CASA Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding CASA volunteer who has made a significant contribution in helping abused and neglected children in Michigan.

Announcing Michigan CASA’s 2011 Judge of the Year Award Winner: Judge Frederick L. Wood

Michigan Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is very proud to congratulate Judge Frederick L. Wood, recipient of the 2011 Michigan CASA Judge of the Year Award. This Michigan CASA award, awarded annually by the Board of Directors, was presented to Judge Wood on Saturday, November 12 at the 2011 Michigan CASA Conference held in Lansing, Michigan.

Judge Frederick L. Wood, currently Judge of Probate of Branch County, received Michigan CASA’s Judge of the Year Award for his outstanding commitment to each abused and neglected child in Branch County. He is a strong advocate for every child that enters his court. He wants each child to thrive while placed at home, with a relative or in foster care. He demands to know where a child is going to be placed prior to removal. He understands the intricacies of working with contract service agencies and has on numerous occasions ordered DHS to visit the children weekly. He demands from the bench excellence from all who are responsible for the children. He is a strong advocate of CASA throughout the community: Speaking at service groups; articulating the program on the local radio station; addressing potential volunteers at informational meetings; attending in-service meetings; participating with local newspaper reporters and with press releases; and presenting the CASA program at local DHS staff meetings. Judge Wood always treats CASA volunteers with respect and in the highest regard. He is passionate about his work with and for children and sees the value in each child.

The Judge of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Judge who has made a significant contribution in helping abused and neglected children in Michigan. All Judges, in Michigan, who have made a significant voluntary contribution to abused and neglected children and to CASA are eligible to receive the award.

Helping CASAs Become Mandated Reporters

Until now, the term “mandated reporter” was known only to doctors, teachers, social workers, and emergency room personnel. Michigan CASA would like all CASAs to be a part of this group as well. With help from the Michigan Federation for Children and Families, Michigan CASA is working to include CASAs under the Michigan mandatory reporting law. Below is an article on such efforts as seen in MIRS Capitol Capsule, Friday, November 18, 2011:

Advocates Want CASAs Required To Report Abuse

They call them Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASAs for short. They are assigned by a judge to monitor foster care children who might be in an abusive situation and 23 counties have them.

They are independent observers, but under current Michigan law if they uncover any abusive behavior, they are not mandated to report such abuse to the authorities.

And in the wake of the child sexual abuse scandal unfolding at Penn State, a movement is underway here to include CASAs under the Michigan mandatory reporting law.

Currently only doctors, teachers, social workers and emergency room personnel are required to report these cases.

Janet REYNOLDS-SNYDER from the Michigan Federation for Children and Families is heading the effort to expand the law and while no bill has been drafted she promises to begin conversations with the House Families and Children Committee Chair Rep. Ken KURTZ (R-Coldwater) soon.

She said she would also confer with Sen. Bruce CASWELL (R-Hillsdale) who chairs the Senate Department of Human Services (DHS) Appropriations Subcommittee.

Reynolds-Snyder reported that the special advocates recently joined the federation and “I was surprised” to discover they were left out of the law.

She said she believes that “when there is even a question or any inkling of abuse,” you must assume it is going on until proven otherwise. Reynolds-Snyder labels the story unfolding at Penn State as “atrocious.”

This is Personal

Imagine four days of splashing in the waves and building sand castles on the beach in Florida. Imagine four days of camping and s’more-making over the campfire during a long summer weekend. Imagine four days filled with love and laughter spent with family over the winter holidays.

Now imagine four days of being hit, burned, kicked and punched as your screams and pleads for help go unanswered.

Four year old Dominick Richard Calhoun didn’t have to imagine – he felt the beatings, he screamed the cries, and he paid the ultimate price with his life.

It was Dominick wetting himself on the couch that triggered his mother’s boy-friend to go into an abusive rage that lasted for four days. Dominick’s beating was witnessed by his mother and 7 year old brother, his screams were heard by neighbors, and bruising was seen by family members. Unfortunately, no one took action. The police were not called until day four when Dominick’s paternal grandfather walked into the room and saw his battered body lying on the bed. By the time Dominick was taken to the hospital, it was too late. His brain was too swollen and his little body could no longer hold on to life. On April 12, 2010 Dominick was taken off life support.

Following Dominick’s death, family members have been working with State Representative Paul Scott to pass a bill called Dominick’s Law. On October 13^th, 2011 a rally took place on the front lawn of the Capitol in support of Representative Scott introducing two bills (No. 5077 and 5078) on behalf of Dominick Richard Calhoun. The intent of Dominick’s Law is to toughen penalties for child abusers and allow for an additional charge of child abuse if another child witnesses the act.

In attendance at the rally, State Senator John Gleason stated, “This is personal.”

Hearing Dominick’s story for the first time, Lisa Hintz of Macomb County did take it personally. So moved by what happened to the little boy and so wanting to do something to prevent another child from suffering the same fate. “It affected me so strongly when I first heard the story,” Lisa says. “I knew I could continue to be heartbroken and depressed, or I could be proactive. I chose to do something and made a call to Michigan CASA.”

Upon learning that there was not an established Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in her residing county, Lisa decided to take on the task of starting a program in Macomb County. Macomb CASA for Kids will soon be providing a voice for abused and neglected children in Macomb County.

Learn more about Dominick’s Law and Michigan CASA.

Tape City

Materials you will need:

Masking Tape
Small Cars

Use masking tape on the floor or carpet to create an indoor roadway for small cars. Very young kids will have fun with a simple roadway to run their cars along. Older kids can turn it into a full city by adding parking lots, shops, and schools or accessorizing with dollhouses, toy people, and plastic animals, etc.

Note: Before taping the floor or carpet, you will probably want to test the tape on a small area to make sure it can be easily removed. Leaving the tape on the floor for more than a day may also make it gummy and difficult to remove. So be sure to clean up before you leave for the day!

If you decide to try this idea out be sure to let us know how it goes with a message or pictures! Or if you have a great activity of your own please share on Facebook, Twitter or submit the form below to send us a direct email.

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Montcalm CASA Program Announces Raffle Winner

Stanton, MI – The Montcalm Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program announced Pam Mahin of Blanchard as the raffle winner of their annual playhouse fundraiser on September 28. Mahin purchased the winning ticket from Edmore Family Foods in Edmore.

Mahin said she hopes to spend many hours playing with her family and grandchildren on the hand-built wooden fire truck, which was constructed by the Building Trades Program at Carson City Regional Correctional Facility with material donated by Carson City Lumber, the Grande du Michigan La Societe de 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, the Sheridan VFW, and the American Legion in Carson City.

“Thanks to our many supporters, the raffle raised $5,575 to help support the Montcalm CASA program and its volunteers,” said Montcalm CASA Coordinator Kristi Jeffrey. Montcalm CASA provides a voice for abused and neglected children in the juvenile justice system by providing advocacy for their needs and ensuring a permanent home. For more information about Montcalm CASA, please contact Kristi Jeffrey at 989.831.3561 or montcalmcasa@8cap.org.