After considering different options, the charity has decided to disband. But in response emails urging them to continue their programs — “We got many, many emails that said, ‘You’ve got to keep those programs’,” said the charity’s interim president and chief executive, David Woodle — they are passing on the programs to Arrow Child & Family Ministries Inc.
Arrow is a $36 million dollar ministry whose focus overlaps that of Sandusky’s charity, Second Mile. Said Woodle: “While we are sad that The Second Mile will not continue running programs, we are heartened that the important work of helping children — and their families — reach their full potential will go on.” He regarded this option as the “most attractive in that the programs will be continuing and the kids who need those services,” will still get them.
Of their highly praised programs is Summer Challenge Camp, which teaches confidence and life skills to up to 400 troubled children a year. Arrow plans to maintain the camp.
“I grew up not far from Penn State and the hurt created by these shocking circumstances affected me personally,” said Arrow’s founder, Mark Tennant. “I felt the need to return my heart home and be part of the healing process.”
Tennant himself endured a difficult childhood of extreme abuse and neglect, which inspired him to create the foundation to help abused children. Because his foster family lives in Pennsylvania, taking on Sandusky’s fallen program was a personal, heartfelt choice for him.
“It’s about a heart decision for me,” he said. “Our organization had been operating kind of quietly in Pennsylvania, but we exist in Pennsylvania solely because of the intervention that was brought to my life as a child, a victim of abuse and neglect. It was an opportunity to give back to the community that had give so much to me. It was an opportunity to run toward the story, not away from it.”