The McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center provided a clear picture of the children and families they serve with the organization’s first ever Annual Report to the community. It includes information about the non-profit organization such as new community programs, statistics, information regarding Child Abuse Prevention Month, and methods the center uses in its efforts to help the children and families they serve.
In 2013, the center in downtown Syracuse facilitated over 650 child abuse victims and family members who were non-offenders. While this may come as a shocking number, Executive Director Linda Cleary says most people don’t even realize the number of children who are physically or sexually abused.
“We know the numbers are low just from the standpoint that only about one in ten children is ever going to report that something’s taken place to them. One in ten children will be sexually abused before their eighteenth birthday. We want to make sure the community, our stakeholders, really understood the tremendous impact of child abuse on our community and how many hundreds of children are going through the center every year.”
Cleary adds that child abuse crosses all ethnicities, socio-economic levels, and literally all neighborhoods. She says the majority of children that McMahon/Ryan serves are female; however, there are male victims. Almost 75% of all cases are ages 12 and under.
The annual report reveals many warming things the center does for the victims they serve. In April, the Child Abuse Prevention Month, the center holds many fundraising events such as a “Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast” and “100 Holes 4 Kids”. The center also participates in educating the surrounding community. One program the center has partnered with is, Rooms 4 Kids. This program was created by the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation with Anthony’s Painting from Anthony Congel. Because most incidents occur in the child’s bedroom, this program provides a child with a complete room makeover. The hope is that the new look of the child’s bedroom will give them a new way of looking at things. Also, in the past school year, the center has made educational presentations to 27 schools, 6,850 students, and 914 adults.
Cleary speaks on the center’s nationally recognized presentation program, Stewards of Children.
The McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center is continuing to move forward and grow as an organization. As they continue to add new programs and increase awareness, their organization will gain more support and understanding. Their plan for the future is to enhance their programs and services, as well as build up their staff. Their hope is to “bring a voice to children who have been silent for too long.”
The McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center's Annual Report can be seen below.
McMahon Ryan Annual Report 2013 by StaciDowning