Second Mile, charity that Jerry Sandusky founded, seeks to shut down

Pat Little / Reuters file

Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State football defensive coordinator who founded The Second Mile in 1977, allegedly met some of the young boys he sexually abused through its programs.

The Second Mile, a charity for at-risk children founded by former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, has filed paperwork seeking to transfer its operations to a Texas-based Christian nonprofit, saying its association with the man at the center of a child sex abuse case has undercut its support.


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In a statement Friday, the State College, Pa., charity’s interim CEO, David Woodle, said that accusations that Sandusky, 68, sexually abused young boys he met through Second Mile, had damaged the charity’s ability to raise money and attract volunteers and caused referring social service agencies to rethink sending at-risk kids to its programs.


In an interview with the Centre Daily Times, which first reported the story, Woodle called the proposed transfer “a positive step in a very negative overall situation.” 

 

 

“Over the past several months, representatives of The Second Mile … have been in discussions with parents, school partners and donors to determine what steps should be taken after criminal charges were announced against founder Gerald Sandusky,” the statement said. The board learned that there is overwhelming support for the programs, but that there would not be adequate support, including financial, from donors, volunteers and referring social service agencies to continue The Second Mile as its own entity.” 

The statement said Second Mile, founded by Sandusky in 1977, had petitioned the Court of Common Pleas in Centre County to allow it to transfer approximately $2 million in cash assets, an ongoing endowment and program-related non-case assets to Houston-based Arrow Child & Family Ministries to fund programs in Pennsylvania for about two years. 

During that period, Second Mile would continue to cooperate with authorities in connection with the criminal charges against Sandusky before eventually dissolving. 

Second Mile said its directors selected Arrow after discussions with more than 15 organizations. 

"Our priority is to ensure children continue to be served by these programs," the statement quoted Arrow founder Mark Tennant as saying. "We were shocked and saddened by the events that led us here, but we are committed to the future of these children and their families and look forward to building on the outstanding work done by so many individuals who have been a part of The Second Mile over the years." 

The statement indicated that it could take several months for the court to rule on its petition. 

Sandusky has pleaded not guilty to 52 criminal counts of alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years, some of whom were Second Mile clients. Jury selection is scheduled to start June 5.

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Seems like an appropriate step. Good for the charity's administration to take such a step.

  • 5 votes
Reply#1 - Fri May 25, 2012 12:38 PM EDT

I agree that transferring their remaining assets to another organization whose name has not been tainted by this scandal makes a lot of sense. My only issue is that I wish they would find a non-religious organization to take over. I would hate to see the kids being helped forced to endure religious indoctrination in return for receiving help from the charity. Children should not be subjected to religious zealots when they are too young to make informed decisions about the validity of what they are being told. A charity meant to help children should not be used as a recruiting ground for a religious group and that is invariably what happens when one of these programs is run by a religious organization. The children are forced to endure being fed religious doctrine in return for the help they are receiving and this is just wrong.

  • 7 votes
#1.1 - Fri May 25, 2012 2:07 PM EDT

...because it would be terrible to teach them love, charity and compassion- you know, all those awful Christian values. Whatever. When did being a Christian become a four letter word in this country?

  • 5 votes
#1.2 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:49 PM EDT

When we turned Christianity into a set of rules and regulations, something it was never meant to be.

  • 4 votes
#1.3 - Fri May 25, 2012 4:03 PM EDT

When politicians started telling me what to do as regards my physical care and *exual conduct and imposing that on the women of this country. In other words when the government became mixed with the church.

  • 4 votes
#1.4 - Fri May 25, 2012 4:20 PM EDT

When love, charity and compassion became a way for catholic preachers to rape little boys or tell the gay community that they aren't really people with the same rights as everyone else.

  • 3 votes
#1.5 - Fri May 25, 2012 5:23 PM EDT

A few bad apples in any organization or religion (or lack there of) always manages in some peoples minds to convince themselves and others that everyone must be rotten. Not true. There are great people out there who are just as sickened by all of this. Much is going on to clean out the bad ones. It's not easy, but it is possible. These things didn't happen overnight. It will take time to set everything right. As unfortunate as it sounds, human nature is what it is. We're not perfect but damn close to trying to make it so.

  • 4 votes
#1.6 - Fri May 25, 2012 5:34 PM EDT

"When did being a Christian become a four letter word in this country?"

When they try to tell other people what they can and cannot do with their own bodies, when they try to force their ideology on other people, when they try to introduce religion into government, when they show hatred and intolerance toward anyone and everyone who does not share their ideology, when they beg for money yet drive expensive cars and live in extravagant homes, when they criticize and condemn others for their immorality and lack of family values and turn around and act the same as those they criticize, etc, etc, etc.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

Mohandas Gandhi

That pretty much sums it up.

  • 3 votes
#1.7 - Fri May 25, 2012 6:23 PM EDT
Garrison Hermanvia FacebookDeleted

Garrison Herman, you're a real piece of work, posting spam with no links.

LMAO

    #1.9 - Fri May 25, 2012 6:52 PM EDT

    I also wish they would find a non-religious organization to transfer to. I hate to think what will happen to any young gay kids, as most of these organizations believe bullying these kids is their god given right and could careless if they commit suicide. Not to mention that thousands of kids are molested in these religious organization each year how many preachers, priest, elders deacons and other religious leaders have been caught with their hand in the cookie jar; but only after years of damage and dozens or more victims. Hate bigotry and intollerance disguised as gods love.

    • 1 vote
    #1.10 - Fri May 25, 2012 9:45 PM EDT

    Sichuan--- In your post,1.7, if you were to substitute the Womens movement or Gay Rights movement or OWS or Planned Parenthood etc for Christians, it would fit quite well. Religion will always be introduced into gov whether it be Christianity, Islam, planned parenthood or Atheism. Being human is a real beech.

    • 1 vote
    #1.11 - Fri May 25, 2012 11:27 PM EDT
    Reply

    Agreed. wise move. Whatever good came out of that organization can now be preserved.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#2 - Fri May 25, 2012 12:46 PM EDT

    Perhaps instead of shutting down it can simply bend over.

    • 4 votes
    Reply#3 - Fri May 25, 2012 12:56 PM EDT

    i'm a horrid person. i giggled at that.

    • 4 votes
    #3.1 - Fri May 25, 2012 1:12 PM EDT

    me 2 and that is sick i know

    • 2 votes
    #3.2 - Fri May 25, 2012 5:26 PM EDT

    You should be ashamed of yourself...

      #3.3 - Fri May 25, 2012 5:36 PM EDT
      Reply
      Comment author avatarAdrian Vallevia Facebook

      Wasn't he just horsing around? With horses?

        Reply#4 - Fri May 25, 2012 12:56 PM EDT

        Doesn't Pennsyvania need such a place --Maybe set up somewhere else under another name..Those chrisitan nonprofits don't need anymore assets..they're loaded

        • 4 votes
        Reply#5 - Fri May 25, 2012 1:05 PM EDT

        It seems like a good idea, but surely there is a non-religious organization in Pennsylvania that is more than capable of continuing their work.

        • 5 votes
        Reply#6 - Fri May 25, 2012 1:16 PM EDT

        since Sandusky used his charity to groom his victims I think their assets should be forfeit, and a fund set up to handle the extensive litigation and restitution claims that are sure to follow this short eyes conviction. And since he was such a ruff tuff football guy...throw him in the sodomy wing of the local state prison and see how long he lasts.

        Not so much fun when YOU'RE the tight end/wide receiver eh Jerry?

        • 9 votes
        Reply#7 - Fri May 25, 2012 1:17 PM EDT

        What took so long? Or is that the operative question in this whole ugly mess?

        • 5 votes
        Reply#8 - Fri May 25, 2012 1:30 PM EDT

        Well Father Carney, I can certainly understand YOUR point of view. How many child molesting priests did YOU help cover for? Or were you one yourself?

        • 1 vote
        #8.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 10:46 PM EDT
        Reply

        the charity was a front he was using the money to buy more young boys. yet another sad day for white america

          Reply#9 - Fri May 25, 2012 1:53 PM EDT

          White Americans have been screwing folks since there were Europeans in N. America. They have often done this while having deep thoughts and writing grand words about universal rights, freedom, and happiness (think Jefferson and Sally Hemmings).

            #9.1 - Fri May 25, 2012 6:02 PM EDT

            ".....yet another sad day for white america..."

            WHITE AMERICA?!?? Huh?? Hmmmmm. Ever try being Black, Hispanic, or Asian in "white america"? Research the Statue of Liberty. SURE AS HELL was NOT created for "white america", but I guess you were out sick the day that subject was covered in class. Guess you must be one of those who just can't get over the "I'm White and Priviledged and You're Not" mentality.

            • 2 votes
            #9.2 - Fri May 25, 2012 8:54 PM EDT

            I read police blotters and see as many men of color being arrested for sex crimes against minors as whites its not a race thing it's and @!$%# thing it's a pediphile thing.

            • 1 vote
            #9.3 - Fri May 25, 2012 9:52 PM EDT

            WHITE America? Now, there's proof that racism is alive and well in this country. It's a sad day for AMERICA, period!

              #9.4 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:40 PM EDT
              Reply

              The assets should not be transferred out of state. Have any of the victims filed suit? Is this an attempt to hurry up and move the money before they can?

              • 2 votes
              Reply#10 - Fri May 25, 2012 2:07 PM EDT

              MyBironas my thoughts exactly. Why does Second Mile want to transfer funds to a charity in another state. There are plenty of charities based here they could choose. Are they trying to unload their assets before they get sued so they won 't have to pay? I might be paranoid because of Sandusky's connection to the charity but I don't trust anybody involved with it.

              • 1 vote
              #10.1 - Tue May 29, 2012 12:33 PM EDT
              Reply

              What if he is not guilty??

              • 2 votes
              Reply#11 - Fri May 25, 2012 2:14 PM EDT

              Kool-Aid much?

              • 3 votes
              #11.1 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:06 PM EDT

              if the peter tracks match....

                #11.2 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:08 PM EDT

                Yo nothing one or two boys maybe a scam but dozens more have come forward. we just don't hear about all the new guys its not new news

                • 1 vote
                #11.3 - Fri May 25, 2012 10:03 PM EDT

                Nothing: Although I doubt that that will be the case, it is certainly a valid question to ask. I know I was "convinced" that Casey Anthony would spend a long time in jail because she was so obviously "guilty" for the three years before her trial (and acquittal).

                (Wonder what Nancy Grace is saying about this one...?)

                  #11.4 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:44 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  it brings a whole new meaning to (put me in coach)...or (drop and give me ten)...:)

                    Reply#12 - Fri May 25, 2012 2:58 PM EDT

                    GOOD! Another white collar criminal tax evader bites the dust!

                      Reply#13 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:09 PM EDT

                      sandusky??? i thought this animal was in jail???

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#14 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:16 PM EDT

                      It was a shill company all along nothing taken away since nothing given

                        Reply#15 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:17 PM EDT

                        Oh poor Jerry.....he is going to be forced to look elsewhere for a piece of ass now. I bet he is blowing his attorneys because they keep asking for a delay in the trial. This is a pathetic attempt to save this POS.

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#16 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:25 PM EDT

                        Notice the pic, he's all smiles...he'll be spreading his other cheeks soon.

                          Reply#17 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:33 PM EDT

                          When are the media going to report on what Second Mile actually does every day. Boys and Girls Club stuff, tutoring, counseling, education outreach, parental mentoring ?? What do they DO ?? Why haven't we read about what they do. And Jerry gets $47K for "consulting." Join the Catholic Church.

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#18 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:45 PM EDT

                          Yeah they should get out of the business. They should be sued as well. Since this was his breeding ground to source his victims. Investigations might find more to the truth here about what was going on rather than the college that is to big and has to much money to keep the investigation honest.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#19 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:48 PM EDT

                          Jerry your done. 56 counts. You have got along with it long enouph thanks to petrino. Time to pay for sins. You have ruined so many lives. Give him life without parole!!!! no spelllcheck

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#20 - Fri May 25, 2012 3:56 PM EDT

                          Sow what you reap, reap what you sow

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#21 - Fri May 25, 2012 4:00 PM EDT

                          WHY hasn't this piece of sKum been executed yet ?

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#22 - Fri May 25, 2012 4:18 PM EDT

                          Let's see; The kids have a choice of running the streets or going to the Second Mile and getting the Sandusky. That's a no brainer; Run the streets !

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#23 - Fri May 25, 2012 4:42 PM EDT

                          Sandusky is a pig. This was set up so he could have his choice of kids to molest. Any I bet he did. When he goes to court I wish I could be a juror. His wife is as sick as he is. In death I hope they both burn in HELL.

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#24 - Fri May 25, 2012 4:53 PM EDT

                          Why isnt the abuser in JAIL.He going around like it was a game.Whats wrong with the laws in Pa,judges, politicos,all sleeping at the switch.They must like faggos, or child abusers.

                          • 3 votes
                          Reply#25 - Fri May 25, 2012 4:59 PM EDT
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