The Second Mile
The Second Mile was a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization that supported at-risk and underprivileged children and their families before dissolving after the criminal prosecution of its founder, Jerry Sandusky.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Second Mile was a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization established in 1977 by Jerry Sandusky, then an assistant football coach at Pennsylvania State University. It presented itself as a support organization for disadvantaged and at-risk young people, with particular attention to foster children, and also offered assistance to parents and families. Its programs were intended to connect children with mentors, recreational opportunities, educational support, and other forms of community assistance. The organization expanded substantially during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Contemporary descriptions credited it with serving roughly 20,000 children in 1989 and more than 300,000 in 2010, although reported service totals varied by definition and program scope. The charity operated three Pennsylvania offices and relied principally on donations, corporate and foundation support, and fundraising activities including golf events. Its listed supporters included large companies and regional businesses such as Bank of America, BNY Mellon, the Hershey Company, Merck, State Farm, Sheetz, U.S. Steel, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Walmart stores, and local newspapers. The Second Mile also benefited from public association with prominent political, sporting, entertainment, and business figures. President George H. W. Bush praised the charity in a 1990 letter connected with his “Thousand Points of Light” volunteerism initiative. In 2002, Senator Rick Santorum presented Sandusky with an Angels in Adoption award for his work with foster children through the organization. The charity’s website later listed a number of well-known figures on an honorary board, but several individuals said they had limited involvement or had not authorized the listing. The honorary-board page was removed after scrutiny began in November 2011. The organization’s reputation collapsed after Sandusky was arrested in November 2011 on charges of sexually abusing children. Prosecutors established that he had met the victims through The Second Mile. Sandusky was convicted in June 2012 on 45 of 48 counts and later received a lengthy prison sentence. The case prompted intense questions about safeguarding, oversight, leadership, and the charity’s institutional relationship with its founder. Jack Raykovitz, who had served as the organization’s president and chief executive for approximately 28 years, resigned shortly after the charges were announced. Following the arrest, The Second Mile stated that it intended to wind down and transfer some programs to other organizations. A victim’s attorney sought to block the transfer of assets, while the charity subsequently encouraged potential donors to support the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. In May 2012, interim chief executive David Woodle announced that the organization had sought court approval to transfer its remaining programs and assets to Arrow Child & Family Ministries. The Second Mile ceased operations after the transfer process, and a judge approved its dissolution in 2016. It is therefore a defunct nonprofit brand rather than an operating commercial business.
History
The Second Mile emerged in Pennsylvania in 1977 as a charitable organization founded by Jerry Sandusky, who was then an assistant football coach at Penn State. Its stated mission was to help children facing difficult social and economic circumstances, including foster children and other at-risk youth. The organization also described its work as extending to parents and families, placing it within the broader field of child welfare and community-based social services. During its early decades, The Second Mile developed a public profile through youth programs, charitable events, corporate donations, and relationships with prominent supporters. It reported serving approximately 20,000 children in 1989, and later public descriptions claimed that its programs reached more than 300,000 children in 2010. Those figures appear to have represented the organization’s broad program reach rather than a single consistently defined client population. The charity maintained three offices in Pennsylvania and was headquartered in the State College area. The organization received favorable recognition from public officials. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush praised it in a letter associated with his “Thousand Points of Light” campaign promoting volunteer and community organizations. In 2002, then-Senator Rick Santorum honored Sandusky with an Angels in Adoption award for work connected with foster children. The charity also identified numerous prominent people as members of an honorary board, including figures from professional football, baseball, golf, entertainment, media, and business. After Sandusky’s arrest, some of those people said they had donated or had only limited involvement and questioned how their names had appeared on the website. The honorary-board page was subsequently removed. The Second Mile was funded largely through donations, corporate and foundation grants, and fundraising events such as golf tournaments. Publicly reported supporters included national corporations, financial institutions, consumer brands, retailers, and Pennsylvania businesses. In 2009, the charity was reported to have generated approximately $3 million in revenue. Jack Raykovitz served as its president for about 28 years and was a central administrative figure until his resignation in November 2011. His wife, Katherine Genovese, was also a longtime senior executive, serving as executive vice-president. The charity’s history changed decisively in November 2011, when Sandusky was arrested and charged with sexually abusing children. The prosecution’s case connected the alleged victims to Sandusky through The Second Mile, making the organization’s safeguarding practices and relationship with its founder central subjects of public criticism. Sandusky was convicted in June 2012 on 45 of 48 counts. The criminal case destroyed the organization’s credibility and made continued operation difficult. Raykovitz resigned shortly after the charges were announced. Under new management, The Second Mile said it was preparing to close and transfer some of its programs to other charities. A lawyer for one of Sandusky’s victims attempted to prevent the transfer of the organization’s assets. The charity later directed prospective donors toward the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, while some programs were expected to continue temporarily. In May 2012, interim chief executive David Woodle announced that The Second Mile had sought court approval to transfer its programs and remaining assets to Arrow Child & Family Ministries. The transfer was intended to preserve some services while ending The Second Mile as an independent organization. A judge ultimately approved dissolution in 2016. The organization’s legacy is consequently divided between its earlier public reputation as a child-support charity and the severe institutional and safeguarding failures associated with the Sandusky abuse case.
- 2016
Dissolution approved
[1]A judge rules that The Second Mile may dissolve, completing the organization’s institutional wind-down.
- 2012
Programs and assets proposed for transfer
[1]The organization seeks court approval to transfer remaining programs and assets to Arrow Child & Family Ministries.
- 2011
Sandusky is arrested and the organization begins winding down
[1]The founder’s arrest on child-sex-abuse charges triggers leadership changes, public scrutiny, and plans to close or transfer programs.
- 2010
Reported service exceeds 300,000 children
[1]The organization is described as having reached more than 300,000 children, using a broad measure of program service.
- 2002
Angels in Adoption award presented to Sandusky
[1]Senator Rick Santorum presents Sandusky with an Angels in Adoption award for work involving foster children; the honor is later rescinded after the allegations.
- 1990
Presidential recognition
[1]President George H. W. Bush praises The Second Mile in a letter associated with the Thousand Points of Light volunteerism initiative.
- 1989
Reported service reaches approximately 20,000 children
[1]Public descriptions of the organization reported that its programs served about 20,000 children by this year.
- 1977
The Second Mile is founded
[1]Jerry Sandusky establishes the Pennsylvania nonprofit to support underprivileged and at-risk children and their families.
Products and positioning
A Pennsylvania nonprofit positioned around helping vulnerable children, especially foster and at-risk youth, while providing related support to their parents and families.
Social services · 1977
Youth support programs
The organization’s core offering consisted of charitable programs for underprivileged and at-risk children. These services were presented as practical and developmental support intended to help young people facing difficult family, social, or economic conditions.
Child welfare
Foster-child assistance
The Second Mile placed particular emphasis on helping foster children and was publicly recognized for that work. Its foster-care-related activities formed an important part of the organization’s public identity before its closure.
Family services
Parent and family support
Alongside direct youth programs, The Second Mile stated that it supported parents and families. The available reference material does not provide a complete catalog of the specific services delivered under this category.
Fundraising
Charitable fundraising events
The nonprofit raised funds through donations and events, including golf tournaments. These activities supported its youth and family programs rather than constituting commercial products.
Controversies
2011
Jerry Sandusky child-sex-abuse prosecution
The arrest and prosecution of founder Jerry Sandusky implicated The Second Mile because the victims were connected to him through the charity. The case led to scrutiny of the organization’s oversight, safeguarding practices, honorary-board claims, and leadership.
2011
Questions over honorary-board listings
Several prominent individuals listed on the organization’s honorary board said they had limited involvement, had only donated, or had not known they were listed. The website removed the entire listing after public scrutiny.
Marketing campaigns
- 2002Angels in Adoption recognition
United States
Rick Santorum presented Jerry Sandusky with an Angels in Adoption award for work involving foster children through The Second Mile.
Outcome. The award was later rescinded after Sandusky was charged, with the sponsoring program citing the serious allegations and the need to protect its integrity.
- 1990Thousand Points of Light recognition
United States
The Second Mile received public praise from President George H. W. Bush in a letter connected with his Thousand Points of Light initiative, which highlighted volunteer and community organizations.
Outcome. The recognition enhanced the charity’s public profile.
Brand decisions
2012
Proposed transfer to Arrow Child & Family MinistriesM&ABackground
The organization sought a way to preserve selected programs and address its remaining assets while ending its own operations.
Action taken
Interim chief executive David Woodle announced that court approval had been requested to transfer programs and remaining assets to Arrow Child & Family Ministries.
Aftermath
The transfer formed part of the charity’s closure and eventual dissolution process.
2011
Decision to wind down operationsStrategyBackground
The founder’s arrest and the resulting loss of public confidence created an existential crisis for the nonprofit.
Action taken
Under new management, the organization announced plans to fold and explored transferring some programs to other charities.
Aftermath
The Second Mile ceased to operate as an independent organization, while some services and assets were proposed for transfer.
Sources2 sources
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