PA--Victims to hold support group in Altoona
For immediate release: Friday, March 4, 2016
For more information: Judy Jones, 636-433-2511, SNAP[email protected], David Clohessy 314 566 9790, [email protected]
Support group to be held to clergy abuse victims
A self-help group for men and women who were abused by clergy will hold a confidential support meeting in the Altoona area next week.
The organization is SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. The meeting will be Tuesday, Tuesday, March 8th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Antis Public Library, 526 Main Street in Bellwood (just north of Altoona, PA).
“Victims, family members, and supporters are welcome and encouraged to attend,” said Fran Sambler, SNAP’s Pittsburgh leader. “The grand jury report has understandably stirred up lots of emotion throughout the state. We are creating a safe, private, confidential setting to help anyone who has been abused as a child or exploited as an adult.”
Sometimes, SNAP is perceived as an “activist” group, said Judy Jones of SNAP. “But the bulk of what we do is to just listen and offer consolation – quietly and privately - to people who are in pain.”
Despite the word "priest" in its name, SNAP welcomes and tries to help "anyone who has been hurt in institutional settings by predators, Jones said.
"Whether you or your loved ones were sexually victimized in summer camps, athletic programs, Boy Scouts, or wherever, it's beneficial to talk with and get solace and comfort from those who have suffered in similar settings," she said.
Based in Chicago, SNAP was founded in 1988 and now has nearly 30,000 members across the US and increasingly across the world. SNAPnetwork.org
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
Showing 1 comment