Dear McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Family,

As we welcome the summer season, June serves as an important reminder of our shared responsibility to create safe, supportive, and nurturing environments where all children can thrive. While the school year may be coming to an end, the need for advocacy, prevention, and community support continues year-round.

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the devastating impact community violence can have on children, youth, and families. Through collaboration, education, prevention efforts, and supportive services, we can work together to build healthier and safer communities for all.

Our Outreach & Education team has worked diligently to develop and update gun violence prevention materials designed to educate and empower youth, families, and community members. We are also excited to continue bringing resources directly into the community through our mobile unit, helping to increase access to education, support, and prevention services.

In support of Gun Violence Awareness Month, staff recently attended the Gun Violence Prevention Month Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the Mayor’s Office, standing alongside community partners and advocates committed to supporting those impacted by violence and promoting safer neighborhoods for all.



As summer begins, keep an eye out for us at outreach events throughout the county. We look forward to raising awareness, building connections, and ensuring that children, youth, and families affected by gun violence have access to the resources, support, and services they need and deserve.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Erin Bates

Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses looking to make a meaningful impact. From Hole and Cart Sponsorships to Swag Sponsorships, partners receive valuable visibility while helping provide healing services to more than 1,800 children and families impacted by abuse each year, as well as prevention education programs that reach over 26,000 local children annually.

We look forward to another successful Cops 4 Kids and hope to see you on the course in August!

Each fall, McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center proudly hosts our Stand Against Child Abuse Conference — a powerful day of learning, collaboration, and commitment to protecting children in our community.

Mark your calendar:

📅 Wednesday, September 30, 2026

📍 Marriott Downtown Syracuse

This annual conference brings together professionals from across disciplines — including educators, law enforcement, child welfare staff, prosecutors, medical providers, and mental health professionals — for meaningful conversations on preventing child abuse and supporting children and families impacted by trauma.

🌟 Featured Keynote Speaker

We are honored to welcome Kevin Mulcahy, Assistant U.S. Attorney and survivor of child sexual abuse, as our 2026 keynote speaker. Kevin has dedicated his career to prosecuting crimes against children and brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to this work.

🔍 What to Expect

Participants can look forward to:

• Engaging workshops and expert-led presentations
• Practical tools and strategies for prevention and response
• Opportunities to connect with professionals committed to child safety
• A shared space to strengthen our collective impact in protecting children

🎟️ Registration Opening Soon – Registration will open on July 1st!

When a child speaks about abuse, it’s important to try to remain calm and be supportive. Below are some practical tips and reminders for when a child discloses abuse.

Remember, react responsibly, children are testing the waters by watching your reactions. Be very mindful of your facial expressions and other body language. They are trying to make sure it is safe to tell their story.

Don’t make false promises. Adults can make the mistake of promising that the child will not see the perpetrator. However, they may have to see them again in court.

Allow for silence. It’s important to give them space because the child may be struggling to think or recall. Most importantly, praise them and thank them for sharing their story. A child’s courage and resilience should be recognized!

At McMahon Ryan CAC, our staff is professionally trained in handling disclosures. If you have any further questions, check out our website or give us a call at 315-701-2985.

VOLUNTEER WITH US:

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center volunteers dedicate thousands of hours each year to helping children and families in our community. We truly could not do this important work without their time, compassion, and commitment.

Volunteer opportunities are designed to be meaningful and rewarding, with different levels of training depending on the amount of direct contact you’d like to have with children.

Current Volunteer Needs Include:

• Family Reception / Waiting Room support
• Special Events assistance
• Assembling Prevention Education materials

If you’re interested in becoming an MRCAC volunteer, please download and complete a volunteer application. You may also consider joining one of our committees to support our mission in additional ways.

Get Started:

Contact Nina Peters

📧 npeters@mcmahonryan.org

📞 315‑701‑2985

Please return the completed forms to npeters@mcmahonryan.org or mail them to:

McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center

601 E. Genesee Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

Fax: 315-701-3040

Check out these quick summer safety tips to keep kids protected: water safety, sun & heat protection, & safe outdoor play!

Water Safety:

• Have a designated “water watcher. ” Always make sure there is an adult with the specific role of watching the water and everyone in the pool. 
• Never swim alone. Kids should only swim when a lifeguard or trusted adult is around. 
• Always make sure your child wears a properly fitted life jacket on boats, in open bodies of water, or in a pool if they do not have strong swimming skills. 
• Wear bright, high contrast neon colors. Colors like neon orange, neon yellow, and hot pink are excellent choices when it comes to children’s swimsuits because those colors stick out in the water. Other colors like blue, green, and grey, tend to blend into the water, making children less visible. 

Sun & Heat protection:

• Use broad spectrum SPF 30 or above. Apply 15–30 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours or less if sweating or swimming.
• Stay hydrated. Kids overheat faster than adults so make sure your children are taking frequent water breaks. 
• Never leave infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are open.

Playing Outside:

• Helmets are required. It is essential for all children to wear a helmet while riding a bike, scooter, skateboard, or any other recreational vehicle. 
• Hot surface checks. In the sun, surfaces like playground slides, concrete, and seat belts can become very hot. It is important to feel these things before proceeding. 
• Play safely. Remind your children of all playground rules and proper ways of using equipment. 

June is National Safety Month, an annual initiative led by the National Safety Council to raise awareness about preventing injuries and keeping people safe — at work, at home, and in our communities.

At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, this message aligns deeply with our mission. Safety isn’t just about preventing accidents — it’s about creating environments where children feel secure, supported, and protected from harm.

Why National Safety Month Matters

Since 1996, National Safety Month has provided tools, education, and resources to help individuals and organizations reduce risks and save lives. For children and families, safety extends into many areas:

• Physical safety at home, school, and in the community
• Emotional safety and healthy relationships
• Digital safety as kids spend more time online
• Awareness and prevention of abuse and neglect

Every prevention step we take — no matter how small — can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

Weekly Themes & What They Mean for Families

Each week of National Safety Month focuses on a different safety topic. Here’s how they connect to protecting children:

Week 1: Moving Safety Forward

This theme encourages building a culture of safety. For families, that means open conversations with children about boundaries, trusted adults, and speaking up if something feels wrong.

Week 2: Staying Safe on the Roads

Motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of injury. Caregivers can help by:

• Ensuring proper car seat and booster use
• Modeling safe driving behavior
• Teaching children pedestrian and bike safety

Week 3: Holistic Health & Wellbeing

Children’s safety includes their emotional and mental health. Checking in regularly, creating safe spaces for expression, and seeking support when needed are essential steps in preventing harm.



Week 4: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Simple home safety improvements—like securing rugs, installing gates, and supervising play—can prevent common injuries, especially for younger children.

How Our Community Can Help Keep Kids Safe

Protecting children is a shared responsibility. This month is a meaningful opportunity to take action:

✅ Learn the signs of child abuse and neglect

✅ Talk with children about safety and trusted adults

✅ Practice online safety and monitor digital activity

✅ Create a safer home environment

✅ Support organizations working to protect children

At McMahon Ryan, we see every day how education and awareness lead to prevention. When communities stay informed and engaged, children are safer.

🔗 Learn more about National Safety Month and access free resources: National Safety Council

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s 100 Holes 4 Kids, Presented by C.O Falter, such a success!

Thanks to the dedication of our amazing golfers, generous sponsors, and supportive community, we are proud to share that over $124,000 was raised to support the children and families served by McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

This one-of-a-kind event challenges participants to complete 100 holes of golf in a single day — all while raising critical funds for our mission. It’s an inspiring example of what can happen when community members come together with passion and purpose.

Because of our dedicated golfers, these funds will go directly toward providing vital services for children impacted by abuse, helping us continue our work to promote healing, hope, and prevention.

To our golfers who spent long hours on the course, our sponsors who invested in this mission, and every supporter who contributed — thank you for being part of this incredible day!