Second Mile President Resigns Amid Sandusky Scandal
Dr. Jack Raykovitz is just one more person who has resigned as a direct result of Jerry Sandusky's allegeld child abuse involving eight boys over the past 15 years.
Raykovitz was the President and CEO of the Second Mile, a charity organization Sandusky founded to prosper at-risk youths in Pennsylvania. His departure Monday culminates his 28 years of involvement with the non-profit.
A grand jury, whom Raykovitz testified in front of, alleged last week that Sandusky found his victims through the Second Mile. The grand jury later indicted the Nittany Lions' ex-defense coordinator with 40 charges of child abuse. Sandusky is set to be be in court again Monday.
The former president of Second Mile, who is a practicing pyschologist, released a statement on the non-profit's website acknowledging his leave and how the organization and the community should be most concerned about the victims who unjustly experienced pain and abuse.
"I have submitted, and the Board has accepted, my resignation as President/CEO of The Second Mile. Providing any statement beyond that sentence takes the focus from where it should be - on the children, young adults and families who have been impacted...I continue to urge anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact investigators from the Office of Attorney General at 814-863-1053 or Pennsylvania State Police at 814-470-2238."
Raykovitz hopes his leave will restore "faith in the community of volunteers and staff that" that work for the Second Mile.
As a result of Sandusky's charges, Second Mile promises to investigate and recommend changes to its internal policies and hopes to have this done by the end of the year. Additionally, at least one of the organization's events, Reverse Drawing, has been postponed due to Sandusky's legal allegations.
Jessica Weiner, a Penn State graduate and USC adjunct faculty member whose expertise includes non-profit organizations and public relations, told ATVN Monday her concerns about Second Mile's and Penn State's involvement with child abuse.
"This issue has us all, as parents, educators, non profit leaders, and community members looking at our own beliefs, our own systems of protection, and our own inner moral compass. Bottom line: many people failed to protect those children from repeated harm and Second Mile is included in that list."
Despite the conflict, one mom continues to support Second Mile's efforts. She was quoted in Raykovitz's resignation statement on the Second Mile website.
"I am saddened by the prospect of people losing faith in this amazing organization.... What you have built in my child is a confidence, a sense of belonging, respect, joy in helping others, and most importantly, his self esteem."
In the meantime, Penn State had its first football game on Saturday without legendary coach Joe Paterno, who was ousted last week, and Justin McCarthy, a Penn State student, told ATVN Monday that the mood on campus is still tense.
Penn State's football team played against Nebraska on Saturday and a moment of silence was held to commemorate the victims.
"I've never heard the stadium be so quiet," McCarthy said. "Some people were crying in the stands."
McCarthy worries that the scandal will have a permanent effect on the way Penn State is perceived across the country.
"I think the students over the next couple weeks will gradually get over it a little bit," McCarthy said. "But it's gonna have a long term effect on our school because everyone else already has this view."
The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.
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