The youth charity of a disgraced Penn State football coach is being transferred to a Christian organization pending court approval.
The Second Mile, which was founded over 30 years ago by Jerry Sandusky, says that it has lost support due to the coach’s arrest for child sexual abuse. It has asked the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County to allow the charity to transfer all of its programs to Arrow Child and Family Ministries.
The two charities are different in focus, but both deal with helping children in need. The Second Mile offered mentoring programs for children as well as summer camps and other recreational outings, while Arrow Child and Family Ministries worked to place youth in Christian foster homes. Both programs will now be offered by Arrow to reach children throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
The organization says that it will require any employees that transfer from The Second Mile to sign a statement of faith. It also states that if the court approves the transferal, it will open new locations in State College, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
“I grew up not far from Penn State, and the hurt created by these shocking circumstances affected me personally,” explained Arrow’s founder, Mark Tennant, who was removed from his home as a child after being physically and sexually abused. “As the founder of an organization dedicated to helping abused and neglected children, I was deeply disturbed by the accusations against Jerry Sandusky and saddened by the impact on The Second Mile and the children who benefitted from their programs. … I felt the need to turn my heart home and be a part of the healing process.”
Reports state that it will be several months before the court releases a decision.