Marquette’s Presque Isle pavilion was the perfect setting for community leaders invested in the prevention of child abuse and neglect to join together. Those who gathered included: court officials, business leaders, law enforcement, child advocates, and county leaders. Attendees heard about the important work of Children Trust Michigan (CTM) and its Prevention Partners. CTM is the State of Michigan’s only agency solely focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect, working with a network of over 100 Prevention Partners covering all 83 counties.
Jill Bable, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, has served on the Board of Directors for six years. She was joined by fellow Board member Kelle Ilitch who has long-standing ties to the area and Board Chair Amy Tattrie Loepp. Suzanne Greenberg, Children Trust Michigan’s Executive Director, spoke from personal experience about the importance of prevention. “As someone who experienced sexual and physical abuse from 2 to 18 years old, I know that I believed and felt that the abuse was my fault—we must invest in preventing child abuse and neglect through strengthening families. One key to preventing child abuse and neglect is to raise awareness about the issue and available resources.”
Attendees were inspired as they heard Monet Borione from Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center, share about the work being done right here in Marquette. She passionately shared the value of working in prevention and how we often stay in the work “for that one child” where it truly makes a difference.
Some areas of the state have a Family Resource Center – a community-led, family centered place that partners welcome all community residents including parents, grandparents, caregivers, community members to deliver support and services that respond to each family’s individual needs and values. Kevin Weir came down from Houghton to share the impact the Tree House Family Resources is having in their community – serving Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties.
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