Waning support for The Second Mile Charity in the aftermath of the Sandusky Scandal has forced action. This morning, the organization announced that it would be shutting down and transferring its assets to the Houston-based Arrow Child & Family Ministries.

The Second Mile — founded 35 years ago by Jerry Sandusky — was originally started to help children who were considered at-risk or underprivileged. However, the charity ended up suspending some of its operations and programs after Sandusky was arrested in November. Donor support diminished in the months following the scandal, and the volunteer base shrunk.

The Second Mile’s interim CEO, David Woodle, said that “The Second Mile has made a positive difference in many peoples’ lives, and we are very pleased that Arrow will continue this good work.”

A petition has been filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County, Orphan’s Court Division, outlining a proposal to transfer the remaining assets to Arrow, which has a contract with the county’s Children and Youth Services for foster care services, as well as a presence in Altoona. The transfer, if it is approved, would mean that Arrow would continue various programs started by The Second Mile to help children and their families, such as the summer camps and Leadership Institution.

Under the proposal, about $2 million in assets would be transferred to Arrow to go towards programs in Pennsylvania for a span of one to two years. Also, endowment funds and non-cash assets related to the program would be transferred as well.

If the transfer is approved, The Second Mile will still “continue as a legal entity and will cooperate fully with any investigations.” The organization is also in the process of selling property, and when that is completed, a Petition to the Court will be proposed to transfer the remaining assets.

Programs that were run by The Second Mile will continue as planned, and the partnership with Arrow would help benefit children further, allowing the program to have a better reach in Pennsylvania.

Arrow Child & Family Ministries was founded in 1992 by Mark Tennant, a Central Pennsylvania native who was abused as a child. The organization “helps abused and neglected children achieve their greatest potential through treatment foster care, adoption services, and an array of preventative services for families at-risk.” Since then, the program has expanded from Texas to Maryland, Honduras, California, and Altoona, where Tennant’s extended foster family lives today.

Tennant has said that he is thankful to all of The Second Mile’s employees, volunteers, board members, and donors over the past 35 years. “Your work had a positive impact on thousands of children and all of us at Arrow honor your dedication. We look forward to not only preserving, but growing the outstanding programs you created.”