ALTOONA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arrow Child & Family Ministries (Arrow) will assume operation of certain programs developed by The Second Mile for at-risk youth effective May 1, 2013. The Second Mile filed a petition with the Court of Common Pleas in Centre County on March 15, 2013, requesting the transfer of key self-development, prevention, early intervention, and community-based programs to Arrow together with $200,000 to begin operations of those programs in Pa. The court order granting the request was signed on April 17, 2013.
“I know this has been a very difficult year for all involved with The Second Mile and I applaud The Second Mile board, donors and staff who worked so hard to ensure these meaningful programs are preserved while always being mindful of the victims of Jerry Sandusky,” said Mark Tennant, a Pa. native who is founder and CEO of Arrow.
Tennant himself was a victim of child sexual abuse and was removed from his home and raised in foster care. His personal experience was the inspiration for Arrow, which is a leader in providing treatment, foster care, adoption services and programs for families in crisis. Tennant founded the organization in 1992, and today it operates in Pa., Md., Texas, Calif. and Honduras.
“There is a powerful message in the fact that The Second Mile programs were placed in the care of an organization led by a child abuse victim,” Tennant said. “I look forward to welcoming those currently participating in The Second Mile programs to the Arrow family and I extend an invitation to those who have supported the organization in the past to join us as we work together to improve the lives of at-risk youth and breathe new life into these programs.”
“On behalf of all the kids and families we serve, we are pleased that the court approved the transfer of these programs,” said Dave Woodle, CEO of The Second Mile. “We also appreciate the cooperation of both the Attorney General’s office and the attorneys for the claimants who supported this service-sustaining transfer. We have confidence that Arrow will successfully continue and grow the much needed services and programs for children and youth throughout Pa.”
Arrow Child & Family Ministries (Arrow) is an international Christian provider of child welfare and education services for abused and neglected children and families in crisis. Through the engagement of both government and the local church, Arrow provides an array of services including foster care, adoption, child sex trafficking rehabilitation and specialized education. All programs and services advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities while promoting Christian responsibility and a commitment to strengthen family life. Visit Arrow Child & Family Ministries online at www.Arrow.org or call (877) 92.ARROW.
