Attorneys for The Second Mile — the charity former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky founded to help at-risk youth — is seeking a judge’s approval to transfer $200,000 to another charity so three of its mentoring programs can continue in March and April, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
The “limited transfer” of money and certain intellectual property that The Second Mile is seeking will allow for three youth programs previously run by The Second Mile — the Friend program, the Friend Fitness Program and the Leadership Institute — to operate this spring, according to court documents.
Texas-based organization Arrow Child & Family Ministries, which has operations in Pennsylvania, has agreed to run these programs, according to court documents.
Last May, The Second Mile submitted a petition to transfer $2 million in assets to Arrow Child & Family Ministries, but the request received objections from several parties, Second Mile CEO Dave Woodle said via email.
Over the summer, The Second Mile decided to put the petition on hold and work with the objecting parties outside of court in order to lower costs and minimize stress on the parties involved, Woodle said.
“We requested and were granted a stay on the petition in August,” Woodle said. “I am pleased to say we have defined a revised transfer plan that we believe meets everyone’s interest.”
Sandusky, who was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison in October 2012 after being convicted on 45 of 48 counts of sexual abuse, met the boys he abused through The Second Mile.
“Our goal has been to ensure that the at-risk children who benefit from The Second Mile programs continue to receive the support they need while also being mindful of Jerry Sandusky’s victims and the horrible abuse they suffered,” Woodle said in a press release issued Friday.
Once the transfer of the assets is approved, The Second Mile will focus on its “continuing efforts to resolve all victim claims, respond to external investigations and litigation to the extent required, including coordination with insurance companies, and maintenance of its Bernal Road Property as necessary and continue its efforts to sell that property and convert it to cash,” according to court documents.
After all claims are resolved, Woodle said he will likely file another petition with the court.
