The leaders of the embattled Second Mile charity have filed court documents on Friday to transfer all of their active programs and about $2 million in cash to a Texas-based charity, according to an article published by Charles Thompson of The Patriot-News.
Interim CEO Dave Woodle acknowledges that this move is a direct result of the child molestation allegations against founder, former public face and former Penn St. Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Woodle noted that as the organization tried to chart its future this winter, it became clear that the agency's supporters, school partners and clients all cited great value in The Second Mile programs, the allegations surrounding Sandusky had simply made the name toxic to donors and fundraising "virtually ceased...
The charity is attempting to transfer its programs to Arrow Child & Family Ministries. While the charity is based out of Texas, it was founded by Washington, Pa. native Mark Tennant. Tennant also dealt with physical and sexual abuse as a child and hopes that by including the Second Mile programs, he can help other at-risk youths.
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