Issue 1, Vol 2, Summer/Fall, 2004
     
  David (named changed) first began to talk about his story after the second time he heard the Child Abuse Council's personal safety program at his school. Every elementary school in the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District has an age appropriate personal safety presentation in the first, third and fifth grade. David spoke up after he heard it the second time during the third grade. Because of David's family situation, he often stayed with another family member during his young years. Starting when David was about six, this person used him sexually repeatedly. David was afraid at night and showed other symptoms of an abused child. David was referred to the Children's Advocacy Center of the Child Abuse Council. David disclosed his situation during an interview. While trials can be very hard on children, David received help through the Children's Advocacy Center . The perpetrator was found guilty and sentenced. David will no longer need to fear this person for many years. A therapist from the Child Abuse Council continues to work with David to help him through his symptoms and toward a healthy life. The coordinated work of the Child Abuse Council, “Every Step of the Way,” helped David first through the prevention program and then through the Children's Advocacy Center, and finally the CASA program helped him when he was put into foster care.  
     
     
 

From the Executive Director: If you went by the county court house this summer, you might have seen people picketing the decision to remove children from a family and directing that protest to Judge Pitman. This case was one of our CASA cases and our CASA volunteer worked hard on this case for well over two years. Our CASA's name was sometimes included in the protest. Without going into details, this was a case of failure to protect children from abuse happening in the home. Failure to protect is one form of abuse and neglect. I thought of two slogans driving by the County Building that I would like to post in support of the children and in opposition to the protesters. “If you respect them, you won't neglect them” and “If you don't abuse them, you won't lose them.” (John Jack, Executive Director)

     
   

On June 30, 2004 the Board of Directors elected their new officers for the year. Jim Westgate, of Wesco Corporation, was elected Board President, Frank Marczak, of Muskegon Community College, was elected Board Vice President, Jennifer Hylland, of Western Michigan Legal Services, was re-elected Board Secretary, and Tanya Lynk, of Huntington Bank, was elected Board Treasurer. Pat Roof has served as President, and Bruce May has served as Treasurer. Both will continue on the Board. Thanks to all these leaders for contributing their skills and support to the mission of the Child Abuse Council.

On July 11, 2004, Kim Boyer of Hampton Green Farms had an annual dressage show of her Spanish horses. Kim’s friend is Claudia Kerr-Fairbanks, honorary member of the Child Abuse Council’s Board of Directors. Kim designated the Child Abuse Council as the recipient of funds raised by ticket and drink sales at her show. Claudia arranged for volunteers including staff and board members of the Council and helped Kim in other ways as well. The event went off very well and it was a special experience to see these valuable horses. The event raised $4,610.00 for the Council. We thank Kim and Claudia for their generosity.

Thanks to Wesco Corp., approximately $60,000 was distributed to organizations dealing with child abuse in West Michigan. The Mustang Raffle was conducted in all Wesco stores and Jim Westgate obtained vender support which helped raise the revenue beyond ticket sales.

August 4th was our Annual “Champions for Children” luncheon held at the Muskegon Country Club. The Luncheon brought together 250 people from across the Muskegon community and introduced them to the work of the Child Abuse Council. This was our most successful Champions for Children event not only raising more money, but also encouraging new people to care about the work of helping and healing abused children. Thanks to all those who helped make this event a success.


Thanks to everyone who continues to support the work of helping improve the lives of abused children.
     

*As always, names and other details have been changed to protect the privacy of the victims of child abuse.