According to the Associated Press, the Second Mile, a nonprofit organization founded in 1977 by Jerry Sandusky will be shutting down and transferring its programs to a Texas based ministry. Jerry Sandusky was part of the Penn State University's football program for years and worked with Joe Paterno, who as we have discussed in class had way too much power at the University. When reports of suspected abuse by Sandusky surfaced outside of Penn State it rocked the local Pennsylvania community as well as the rest of the nation. The subsequent arrest of Jerry Sandusky in November of 2011 had a strong effect on the Second Mile and now the organization has filed a petition to close its doors. Donors stopped donating and volunteers stopped volunteering. Would you blame them? Who would want to be associated with an organization that was affiliated with a person like Sandusky.
I was curious what the Second Mile was all about so I went to their website. As soon as I clicked on the link various words flashed on the screen: responsibility, opportunity, character, potential, positive. Jerry Sandusky, the former face of the organization, does not represent any of these qualities. The Second Mile has helped thousands of youth and parents become better people. It is unfortunate and sad that the one person who helped start this beneficial organization was the same person to close it permanently.
Thankfully there will still be positive places for children and adults to go to in State College.
David Palomares
Kin 577
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