January Newsletter
Letter from Executive Director
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I hope this message finds you well. As we embrace a new year filled with opportunities, I want to take a moment to share some important news regarding my journey with McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy. After much thought and reflection, I have decided to transition out of my role as Executive Director.

This decision was not made lightly, as my time with this incredible agency, the past 10 years have been filled with meaningful relationships and impactful work. I have worked for 24 years helping victims become survivors and families heal. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together to support and empower our community’s children and families. Many of us have personal stories or experiences that connect us to this cause. Whether through direct experience or witnessing the struggles of others, these connections fuel our passion, they fuel my passion as well. I am committed to honoring those stories by dedicating my efforts to prevent child abuse and support survivors regardless of my role at the center.
We have the most amazing team of professionals working together to end child abuse in Onondaga County each day. I want to thank all our partners, our staff, Board and volunteers for their commitment to end child abuse and their passion to work each day to make a difference in the life of a child. My commitment to the mission of McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center stems from a deep-seated belief in the fundamental right of every child to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. Every child deserves to have their voice heard and their experiences validated. I am passionate about advocating for those who often cannot advocate for themselves. By supporting children who have experienced abuse, we empower them to reclaim their narratives and foster resilience. When we protect our children and provide them with the resources they need, we are investing in the future of our communities. A safe and supported child grows into a productive and engaged adult. My commitment is rooted in the understanding that every child we help strengthens the fabric of our society.
Though I will be stepping away from the Executive Director position, I am excited to remain involved with McMahon Ryan in a different capacity. I will continue to support our mission and initiatives, ensuring a seamless transition and helping to guide our next leader as they step into this pivotal role. I am grateful for the support and collaboration from all of you throughout my tenure. Together, we have made a significant difference, and I am confident that McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center will continue to thrive and expand its reach in the years to come. Thank you for your continued commitment to our mission. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts we will achieve together in the future. We have big plans, so I hope you all continue to help us succeed.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Colleen Wilson
MDT Spotlight – Human Trafficking Department

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and we are proud to spotlight the incredible work of our Human Trafficking team. This dedicated group of professionals helps up to 150 youth each year who are at risk of or have experienced trafficking. They provide prevention education to empower young people and train educators, law enforcement, and social workers to identify and respond to trafficking. They provide comprehensive support services, including safe housing, medical care, therapy, advocacy, and educational resources, tailored to help survivors recover and rebuild their lives. (Pictured here are staff members from our Human Trafficking team: from left: Siquest Smith – Anti-Trafficking Advocate, Olivia Stroman – Director of the Anti-Trafficking Program, Alyssa Pizio – Therapist, and Elba Maite Rizo Cedeno – Advocate Housing Specialist)
Employee of the Month – Krystal Peters
Krystal is a relatively new addition to our team, serving as our receptionist for just a few months, she has already made an incredible impact. With her friendly demeanor and warm smile, she provides a welcoming first impression for our clients and ensures seamless communication across our multidisciplinary team.
Krystal went above and beyond during the busy holiday season, excelling in her support with Holiday Angels drop-offs. She has also taken on new responsibilities, including data entry and managing our volunteers, proving her dedication and versatility. Her hard work and positive attitude are quickly making her an invaluable asset to our organization. Congratulations, Krystal! We’re so lucky to have you on our team.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Join Us in Raising Awareness!

Join us in the fight against Human Trafficking this month. Learn how you can help protect vulnerable youth and support critical programs combating exploitation.
The Blue Campaign, a national public awareness initiative by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, educates the public, law enforcement, and industry partners to recognize and respond to indicators of human trafficking. Their training and resources empower individuals to detect trafficking and identify victims.
At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, we’re dedicated to preventing human trafficking and supporting youth under 21 who are at risk or have been victimized. Our Human Trafficking Program provides prevention strategies, victim identification, and long-term interventions to aid victims of human trafficking.
This January, we invite you to join us in spreading awareness about human trafficking and supporting the work of McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center. Follow us on social media to learn more about our initiatives, explore the calendar & articles below, and visit our website to discover ways you can get involved. Show your support by wearing blue this month! Share a photo on social media wearing blue and tag us to help amplify awareness. By spreading the word, you’re playing a vital role in supporting our mission and helping us protect vulnerable youth.

Download the full calendar to access helpful resources and information on Human Trafficking Prevention this January!
Protecting Youth from Exploitation and Trafficking
Learn how to support and safeguard vulnerable youth against human trafficking with insights from the Blue Campaign’s Youth Preparedness Guide by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This guide covers:
- Recognizing signs of trafficking among youth
- Tips for discussing exploitation
- Building life skills to prevent trafficking
- Reporting options for suspected cases

Ideal for caretakers and individuals working with youth in classrooms, camps, sports leagues, and mentorship programs, the guide offers actionable insights for middle and high school-aged youth (11–17 years). Integrate this critical information into your existing activities to make a difference.
Get your tickets now for April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month Fundraisers!



Our largest fundraiser of the year, The Pinwheel Ball, will take place on Friday, April 4th at the Oncenter. Join us for an evening to celebrate those in our community who fight against child abuse. We will have live music by Prime Time Horns, cocktails and dinner, along with silent and live auctions. Get your tickets now!
The annual Go Blue 4 Kids Breakfast will take place on Friday, April 18th at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. This informational breakfast will feature keynote speaker, Elijah Lee, a 17-year-old student and community activist, and a national advocate for children. Get your tickets now!
The 9th Annual Step Up 4 Kids 5K & Kids Fun Run will close out April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month on Sunday, April 27th at Leavenworth Park. This family-fun event will be followed by a post-race party hosted by Middle Ages with live music and food trucks! Register this month to take advantage of our early bird pricing!
2025 Sponsor Opportunities available now! What your sponsorship supports
You can provide a path to preventing child abuse from ever occurring and a path to healing for a child who has been sexually or physically abused. Sponsor any of our events to help raise funds to end child abuse in Onondaga County. McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending child abuse through prevention, intervention, and education by facilitating a coordinated, multi-disciplinary team approach. Victim advocacy, law enforcement, child protective services, medical, mental health, and prosecution professionals collaborate together to provide a safe, child-friendly environment where cases of child sexual and physical abuse are investigated, evaluated and treated.
Based on the success of our fundraisers last year, we were able to hire 2 more trauma informed therapists to provide valuable services to our clients. With your participation this next year, you will assist in sustaining not only the therapeutic program but other vital programs that the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center offers to reduce the burden of child abuse to the most vulnerable of our community.
Your support makes a difference!
If interested in becoming a sponsor and learning how your business can gain exposure in the community for supporting a great cause, visit our website event pages or reach out directly to Development Director, Dana Walk at dwalk@mcmahonryan.org or call 315-701-2985
Join us at the Syracuse Crunch Hockey game on February 1st!

Last Call to support our Holiday Appeal: Help us reach our goals!


How You Can Support McMahon Ryan CAC
We will gladly receive the following items for donation to our cause

Please consider a general donation to McMahon Ryan CAC

- K-Cups and individual creamers
- Individually wrapped kids’ snacks
- Personal care items
- Juice-boxes
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable goods for our food pantry
- Diapers & Wipes
Below is how far your dollar can go to help the clients we serve
$25 – Provides essential items for Clients
$50 – Provides Initial Advocacy Services for 1 child
$100 – Provides a Therapy Session for 1 child
$250 – Provides an Appointment through the CARE Program
$500 – Provides Community Prevention Education
$1,000 – Provides Full Services for One Child