Dear McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Family,

As we enter this season of gratitude, we take time to reflect on the incredible resilience of the children and families we serve—and on the unwavering support of our community that makes our work possible.

November is a time to give thanks, but it’s also a reminder to act. True gratitude not only helps us appreciate what we have, but also opens our hearts to recognize and respond to the needs of others.

This month, when our local Diaper Bank shared an urgent need, we felt called to help. As an agency that benefits from their vital services, we organized our own diaper drive—and the response was nothing short of inspiring. Thanks to the generosity of our staff, partners, and supporters, we collected countless diapers, wipes, and personal care products to help local families in need.

At the same time, McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy had a need for volunteers to wrap gifts for families through our Holiday Angels program. Once again, our community rose to the occasion—our call for volunteers was met with an overwhelming response, and we now have a full schedule of dedicated wrappers ready to go!

This month, I encourage everyone to remember that together, we are not only meeting immediate needs but also building a stronger, more compassionate community.

Thank you for being part of this season of gratitude and action.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Erin Bates

Congratulations to Alyssa Pizio, our Employee of the Month!

Alyssa began her journey with McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center in 2019 as a Human Trafficking Advocate and this past year she transitioned into her role as a Therapist. Throughout her time here, she has shown incredible dedication and passion for supporting Safe Harbour clients.

Alyssa’s commitment to her clients’ healing is evident in everything she does. She brings creativity and resourcefulness to her work, always finding new and effective ways to support those she serves. Her continuous drive to grow as a clinician—seeking out new learning and training opportunities—reflects her deep compassion and professionalism.



We are so grateful to have Alyssa on our team and proud to recognize her outstanding contributions this month. Congratulations, Alyssa!

As the season of giving approaches, we are thrilled to share some amazing news — every child in our Holiday Angels Project has been assigned an Angel! We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming generosity and support from our community.

🌟🎄🎁

Going forward, anyone inquiring to become a Holiday Angel will be placed on our Angel waitlist for any last-minute family assignments.

In the meantime, if you would still like to contribute, we welcome donations of holiday gifts to help supplement and fill in where needed. These items are always appreciated:

• Baby Dolls & Baby Doll Accessories
• ALL Art Supplies & Craft Kits (Crayons, Markers, Coloring Books, Paint & Painting Supplies, Canvases, Craft Kits, etc.)
• Board/Card Games
• Hygiene Items
• Sports Items (Basketballs, Footballs, Soccer Balls, etc.)
• Legos
• Baby Toys
• Diapers
• Grocery & Gas Gift Cards

We’ve also seen an amazing response from wrapping volunteers! At this time, those interested in wrapping will be placed on a wrapping waitlist. However, we are always in need of volunteers to help cover the front desk after hours, as well as assist with preparing outreach materials for schools!

Lastly, we are still in need of wrapping supplies (scissors, tape, wrapping paper, bicycle bags, and Marshalls $.99 checkout totes for transporting gifts) and will gladly accept monetary donations to support this effort.

This year’s outpouring of kindness has been truly incredible, and we cannot thank you enough for helping us bring joy to children and families impacted by abuse. 🌟🎄🎁

To sign up, CLICK HERE or email our Development Specialist, Catherine Cramer, at CCramer@mcmahonryan.org.

November is National Child Safety and Protection Month, a time to raise awareness and take action to keep children safe from harm. At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, we believe that every child deserves a safe environment where they can thrive. Here are some key ways families and communities can help:

Talk Early, Talk Often

• Teach children the correct names for their body parts.
• Explain that their body belongs to them and they have the right to say “no.”
• Reinforce that secrets about touching are never okay.
• Encourage open communication so children know they can come to you about anything.

Listen and Believe

• If a child shares something concerning, stay calm, listen, and believe them.
• Avoid pressing for details—reassure them they did the right thing by telling you.
• Report suspicions or disclosures to Child Protective Services (1-800-342-3720 in NY) or law enforcement.

Know the Signs of Abuse

• Watch for unexplained bruises, changes in behavior, fear around certain adults.
• Regression (bedwetting, thumb sucking), nightmares, or sudden withdrawal can be indicators.
• In older children, risky behavior, substance use, or truancy may signal abuse.

Keep Kids Safe Online

• Supervise internet use and set clear rules for devices.
• Discuss online boundaries, like never sharing personal info or images.
• Remind children: “If something online makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult.”
• Learn about parental controls and privacy settings on apps and games.

Create a Culture of Safety

• Ensure organizations serving kids have child protection policies.
• Attend child abuse prevention or mandated reporter training—McMahon Ryan offers these regularly.
• Model respect, empathy, and consent in daily interactions.

Want to Learn More? Here Are Additional Resources:

• Children’s Bureau: Child Safety Tips & Resources – Practical advice for household, infant, and outdoor safety.
• National Child Safety Council: Safety Topics – Comprehensive educational materials on internet safety, gun safety, and more.

Together, we can create safer spaces for children and prevent abuse before it happens. For more resources or training opportunities, visit mcmahonryan.org.

At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, we are committed to helping families in every way possible. One of the most immediate needs we see is access to food.

We are currently seeking non-perishable food donations to stock our pantry and provide support to families who come through our center.

Recommended Items:

• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Canned soups and stews
• Beans and legumes
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Rice and boxed grains
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
• Breakfast cereals and oatmeal
• Boxed macaroni and cheese
• Crackers and granola bars
• Canned tuna or chicken
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Shelf-stable juice boxes
• Baby food and formula

Donations can be dropped off at McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center (601 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13202) during business hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

If you or someone you know needs ongoing assistance, here are some local resources that can help:

Food Bank of Central New York

• Distributes food through over 500 partner programs, including pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.
• Offers Mobile Food Pantry and Fresh Foods Distributions with no income requirements.
• Use the Food Finder Tool to locate nearby food distributions: foodbankcny.org
• Address: 7066 Interstate Island Rd, Syracuse, NY 13209 | Phone: (315) 437-1899 [www.foodbankcny.org]

211 CNY

• A free, confidential service connecting people to local resources, including emergency food, meal programs, and SNAP assistance.
• Visit 211cny.com or dial 2-1-1 for help finding food programs near you.

Salvation Army Syracuse

• Provides emergency food services and community meals.
• Located at 749 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, NY.
• Learn more at syracuseny.salvationarmy.org.

Click Here for Additional Local Pantries

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the challenges faced by young people experiencing homelessness and to promote solutions that bring hope and stability.

Why This Matters

• Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the U.S.—including 700,000 youth ages 13–17 and 3.5 million ages 18–25. [youth.gov]
• On a single night in January 2023, 34,703 unaccompanied youth were counted as homeless, making up 22% of all people under 25 experiencing homelessness. [youth.gov]
• Nearly 24% of unaccompanied youth in shelters were survivors of domestic violence, and 8% were actively fleeing abuse. [youth.gov]
• According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 653,000 people experienced homelessness in 2023, the highest count since reporting began in 2007. [gao.gov]

Homeless youth face increased risks of violence, exploitation, trafficking, mental health struggles, and barriers to education and employment.

Local Resources for Youth in Need

• Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse – Emergency shelter, meals, and case management. rescuemissionalliance.org | (315) 472-6251
• Salvation Army Youth Services – Shelter and outreach programs for youth in crisis. syracuseny.salvationarmy.org | (315) 479-3668
• 211 CNY – Directory of shelters, food programs, and youth services. 211cny.com | Dial 2-1-1

How You Can Help

• Share these resources with families and youth in need.
• Support organizations that provide shelter and outreach.

Together, we can work to ensure that no young person has to face homelessness alone.

On November 18, we join organizations nationwide in recognizing National Injury Prevention Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the preventable injuries that impact millions of children and families each year.

According to the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for children in the United States—yet many of these injuries are preventable through education, advocacy, and community action.

This national observance encourages communities to:

• Illuminate landmarks in green to symbolize support for injury prevention.
• Share resources and safety tips to help families reduce risks at home, on the road, and during play.
• Advocate for policies and programs that protect children from harm.

Simple Injury Prevention Tips for Families

• Use car seats and seat belts correctly every time your child rides in a vehicle.
• Keep medications and cleaning products locked away and out of reach.
• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs for toddlers.
• Supervise water play and never leave children unattended near pools or bathtubs.
• Wear helmets for biking, skating, and other wheeled activities.
• Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
• Store firearms unloaded and locked in a secure location.

At McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, we know that safety is a cornerstone of child well-being. We encourage everyone to take part by learning more about injury prevention strategies and spreading the word. Together, we can make a difference and keep kids safe.

Source: National Injury Prevention Day

For more information and resources, visit nationalinjurypreventionday.org.

Our largest fundraiser of the year, The Pinwheel Ball, will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Oncenter. Join us for an evening to celebrate those in our community who help fight against child abuse. We will have live music by the band Atlas, cocktails and dinner, along with silent and live auctions. More information coming soon.

Looking to sponsor or advertise at the Pinwheel Ball? We’re always looking for sponsors! Click here to view our sponsorship opportunities.

The 10th Annual Step Up 4 Kids 5K & Kids Fun Run will close our April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Middle Ages Brewing Company. This family-fun event will be followed by a post-race party hosted by Middle Ages with live music and food trucks! Registration will open on January 1st!

Special thanks our sponsors: OneGroup – Presenting Sponsor

Maguire Foundation – Kids Fun Run Sponsor

Looking to sponsor Step Up 4 Kids? We’re always looking for sponsors! Click here to view our sponsorship opportunities.

Our team celebrated Halloween in style this year by dressing up as Beanie Babies—and the creativity was off the charts! We kicked off the festivities with a spooky lunch spread, followed by a lively round of Halloween trivia that tested everyone’s knowledge of all things creepy and kooky.

The highlight? Making our very own Candy Salad—a sweet treat that brought plenty of laughs (and sugar rushes!).

It was a wonderful afternoon of team bonding, laughter, and festive fun. Check out the photos below to see our amazing costumes and candy creations!