Dear McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Family,

As Halloween approaches, we’re looking forward to a fun and festive time for our children, families, and community. Halloween is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together, but it’s also important to keep safety top of mind.

A few simple reminders can help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween:

• Stay visible: Choose costumes and accessories that are easy to see, and consider adding reflective tape or carrying a flashlight.
• Check costumes: Make sure costumes fit properly and allow children to see, walk, and move comfortably.
•  Be mindful of traffic: Use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible, and remind children to look both ways before crossing streets.
•  Inspect treats: Parents and caregivers should check treats before children enjoy them.
•  Supervise younger children: Young children should always be accompanied by a trusted adult while trick-or-treating.
• Practice good judgment: Encourage children to stay with their group, use familiar routes, and follow household and community safety rules.

Most importantly, let’s make Halloween a time of joy, connection, and community. Thank you to our families, staff, and community partners for helping create a safe environment where everyone can enjoy the festivities.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe Halloween!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Erin Bates

Put your knowledge to the test, expand your professional network, and make a difference for local kids at Trivia Together 4 Kids!

The McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Young Professionals Group is proud to present the inaugural Trivia Together 4 Kids, a fun and engaging evening of networking, friendly competition, and philanthropy on Friday, November 6, at Meier’s Creek Brewing Company in Cazenovia.

More than just a trivia competition, Trivia Together 4 Kids is an opportunity to build meaningful professional connections, strengthen community partnerships, and support the vital work of McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, Onondaga County’s first and only Child Advocacy Center. Every dollar raised helps provide advocacy, intervention, prevention, education, and support services that help children heal, grow, and thrive.

🎯 GATHER YOUR TEAM!

Think your team has what it takes to claim trivia bragging rights while making a difference for local children? Now is the time to register for the inaugural Trivia Together 4 Kids, presented by the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Young Professionals Group.

Whether you’re a trivia champion or just in it for the fun, Trivia Together 4 Kids offers a unique opportunity to:

• Strengthen relationships with coworkers and colleagues
• Connect with professionals from across Central New York
• Enjoy a memorable team-building experience
• Compete for prizes and bragging rights
• Support a mission that helps local children heal, grow, and thrive

Every team registration helps support McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s advocacy, intervention, prevention, education, and support services for children and families in our community.

Why Participate?

More than just a trivia contest, Trivia Together 4 Kids is an opportunity to come together for a cause. Your participation helps ensure that children impacted by abuse have access to the services and support they need. So start assembling your dream team, brush up on your trivia knowledge, and join us for an evening where every answer helps make a difference.

Register your team today and help us make our inaugural Trivia Together 4 Kids a success!

🎯 Team Registration Deadline: October 28

⭐ BECOME A SPONSOR!

Show your organization’s commitment to protecting children while gaining visibility among an audience of engaged professionals, business leaders, and community advocates.

Sponsorship opportunities range from Sponsor a Team ($250) and Event Sponsor ($500) to Round Sponsor ($1,250) and the exclusive Presenting Sponsor ($2,000) level.

Sponsors receive valuable recognition through event signage, social media promotion, event materials, and on-site visibility, depending on sponsorship level. Your support helps fund programs and services for children and families affected by abuse while investing in prevention and education initiatives that create safer communities for all children.

Join us as a sponsor and help ensure every child is seen, heard, and protected.

Trivia Together 4 Kids is proudly presented by the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center Young Professionals Group, bringing together the next generation of community leaders to connect and support children.

As the season of giving approaches, we’re excited to share that our beloved Holiday Angels Project will be returning this year! 🌟🎄🎁

Each holiday season, our community comes together to brighten the lives of children and families impacted by abuse—and we’re endlessly grateful for the generosity and heart that make this possible.

We invite you, your family, office, or organization to become a Holiday Angel this year by adopting a child or family in need. Your support will help ensure that children who have experienced the trauma of abuse can still experience the joy of the holidays.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Adopt a child or family: Provide gifts for children. Wish lists and sizes will be shared in early November.
• Donate wrapping supplies: Scissors, tape, wrapping paper, and gift bags are all needed.
• Volunteer your time: Join us in mid-December to help wrap presents. 
• Give a monetary donation

To sign up, fill out the form below.

Children’s wish lists will be distributed and volunteer gift-wrapping opportunities will be scheduled during the first week of November.

Please direct questions to our Development Specialist, Catherine Cramer, at CCramer@mcmahonryan.org or fill out the form below.

Halloween is a wonderful opportunity to dress up, collect treats, and make lasting memories with your child. As your family prepares for a fun night of trick-or-treating, taking a few simple precautions can help ensure everyone stays safe. We hope you have a spooktacular Halloween filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of treats!

Costume & Trick-or-Treat Safety

Before heading out, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure costumes fit properly. Costumes that drag on the ground can create a tripping hazard.
• If your child is wearing a mask, ensure they can see clearly and safely.
• Choose well-lit neighborhoods and plan your trick-or-treat route ahead of time.
• Carry a flashlight or glow sticks to help increase visibility after dark.
• Check that your child’s shoes are comfortable and suitable for walking.
• Bring a coat or jacket in case the weather turns cold or rainy.
• Inspect all candy before allowing your child to eat it.
• Remove any face paint or makeup after trick-or-treating to prevent skin irritation.

Reviewing Personal Safety Rules

Halloween can also be a great time to reinforce important personal safety lessons with your child. Remind your child that no one should ever make them feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or pressured to do something they do not want to do. Practice these simple safety rules together:

• Say “No!”
• Run away.
• Go to the closest safe adult.
• Tell a trusted adult what happened.

These may sound familiar if your child has participated in our High Five! program.

Pedestrian & Street Safety

With excited children, busy sidewalks, and increased traffic, pedestrian safety is especially important on Halloween night.

• Young children should always be supervised by an adult.
• Older children should trick-or-treat with a group of friends.
• Cross streets only at crosswalks and well-lit intersections.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Never assume a driver can see you or will stop automatically.

By planning ahead and reviewing safety expectations, you can help your child enjoy a fun, memorable, and safe Halloween. From all of us at McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, have a happy and safe Halloween! 🎃👻🍬

TEACHING CONSENT STARTS YOUNG

On September 30, McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center welcomed professionals, advocates, educators, and community partners from across the region for our annual Stand Against Child Abuse Conference. The event brought together individuals committed to strengthening their knowledge, sharing best practices, and advancing efforts to protect children and support families throughout our community.

This year’s conference featured keynote speaker Kevin Mulcahy, whose inspiring message set the tone for a day of learning, reflection, and collaboration. Attendees participated in educational sessions focused on child abuse prevention, intervention, advocacy, and supporting those impacted by trauma.

New this year, the conference included a dedicated Mindfulness Room, providing attendees with a welcoming space to pause, decompress, and recharge throughout the day. This addition reflected our commitment to supporting the well-being of the professionals and advocates who work tirelessly to serve children and families.

We are proud to share that this year’s conference was completely sold out, demonstrating our community’s strong commitment to child abuse prevention, advocacy, and continuing education.

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our sincere gratitude to our Silver Technology Sponsor, Visual Technologies, and our Bronze Sponsors, Lynn Law Firm LLC, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and Helio Health for their partnership and commitment to protecting children and strengthening families.

We would also like to offer a special thank you to the Syracuse Marriott Downtown for their outstanding hospitality and to MDG Images for helping us capture the day’s meaningful moments.

Finally, thank you to every attendee, presenter, sponsor, volunteer, and community partner who helped make this year’s conference such a success. Your passion, expertise, and dedication continue to advance our shared mission of helping children heal, grow, and thrive. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout our community.

Safe Sleep Awareness Month: Remember the ABCs (and S!) of Safe Sleep

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about safe sleep practices and helping families reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. Creating a safe sleep environment is one of the most important steps parents and caregivers can take to help keep babies safe during their first year of life. The good news is that following a few simple recommendations can make a significant difference.

A simple way to remember safe sleep recommendations is the ABCs (and S) of Safe Sleep:

A is for Alone

Babies should sleep alone in their own sleep space, free from blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, crib bumpers, and other soft items. While room-sharing is recommended, bed-sharing increases the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

B is for Back

Always place babies on their backs for every sleep, including naps and nighttime sleep. Back sleeping is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of SIDS.

C is for Crib

Babies should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Couches, armchairs, swings, and other seated devices are not safe places for routine sleep.

S is for Smoke-Free Environment

Babies should be kept in a smoke-free environment before and after birth. Avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke is an important step in reducing the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths.

In addition to following the ABCs and S, experts recommend breastfeeding when possible, as it is associated with a reduced risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

The Safe to Sleep® campaign encourages families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to use SIDS Awareness Month as an opportunity to share safe sleep messages and help raise awareness about ways to keep babies safe while they sleep.

By remembering the ABCs (and S) of Safe Sleep: Alone, Back, Crib, and Smoke-Free Environment, parents and caregivers can take simple but important steps toward creating a safer sleep environment for infants.

For additional information and resources, visit the Safe to Sleep® campaign and the American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Sleep Resource Center.

This month, we are celebrating 5 years of service for our Lead Outreach & Education Specialist, Derrick Brill!

Derrick plays an essential role in bringing child abuse prevention education into classrooms throughout our community. Each year, he helps provide local students with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize unsafe situations, understand healthy boundaries and know how to seek help when they need it.

Through his dedication, energy and passion for prevention, Derrick has helped make a lasting impact on thousands of children across our community.

We are so grateful for Derrick’s commitment to our mission and to helping create a safer community for children. Congratulations on 5 years, Derrick! We’re so lucky to have you on our team! 💙

CHALK THE WALK!

Recently, the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center team participated in Chalk the Walk Week, joining community members in spreading messages of hope, kindness, and encouragement throughout Central New York.

Using colorful sidewalk chalk art and uplifting messages, staff helped raise awareness about the importance of child abuse prevention while reminding children and families that they are valued, supported, and never alone. These simple but powerful messages served as visible reminders that every member of our community plays a role in creating safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.

Events like Chalk the Walk Week highlight how small acts of kindness can make a meaningful impact. By promoting positivity and awareness, we continue to strengthen our shared commitment to protecting children, supporting families, and building a more caring community for all.