I will join hands figuratively and literally at The AIDS Monument in Lincoln Park. It’s always a beautiful, heartfelt evening. The gathering is planned by “The Wall Las Memorias Project.” The Wall-Las Memorias is a leader in the Latino community and is dedicated to preventing sickness among Latinos affected by HIV/AIDS. The founder of the project, Richard Zaldivar dreamed of having a place where people could honor their loved ones who had been lost to AIDS and foster greater awareness of HIV. Every year, there is prayer, music and remembrances. As you can imagine, the most emotional part of the evening is when the names are added to the wall. A hush falls over the ceremony as their memory is honored.

It’s estimated globally some 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus. It is one of the most deadly pandemics in history.

This memorial gathering on LA’s Eastside, in the heart of the Latino community, has a decidedly Latino feel to it. And for good reason. The need is acute among Latinos. Stigma surrounds HIV/AIDS. And far too many people have suffered in the shadows. “The Wall” seeks to illuminate this world health issue with facts, understanding and compassion. Please join us. And dress warmly — it tends to be chilly. I promise the evening will warm you.

Noche de las Memorias
AIDS Monument    7pm
3600 N. Mission Road
LA,CA. 90031

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The eyes of the nation are fixed upon Penn State as the sex abuse scandal there continues to unfold. By now, most of you know the shocking details of the case. Allegations of child rape at a campus locker room in 2002. The accused predator? Former assistant Penn State football coach, Jerry Sandusky. As the story goes, Mike McQueary (then a grad student, now a linebacker coach at Penn State) testified he saw the assault taking place. He reported the attack on a ten year old boy to beloved Penn State Football coach, Joe Paterno. According to the grand jury report, Paterno told his boss, the athletic director. The A-D in turn tells the senior vice president for finance and business. Next, the president of the university is informed. A horrible crime report, passed dispassionately up the collegiate food chain. Not one person went to the police. Not one person rushed to physically defend the alleged child victim. The sordid story was hidden away until an investigation was finally formally begun this year …

Nine years later– there are profound reverberations. Sandusky has been arrested. Eight reported victims have come forward so far. The list of young victims is expected to grow. Football icon, Joe Paterno fired- days away from his actual retirement. His former bosses in trouble with the law for their presumed part in not reporting the crime. Students took to the streets in support of their mythic coach, even setting fire to news vans. Moral outrage over the firing of Paterno. Where was the outrage in 2002 for the defenseless children? Why was Sandusky allowed to roam free– even given special status at the university after “retiring” abruptly at the age of 55 in 1999?

These are all disturbing questions. I took them to child advocate and friend, Erin Runnion. Erin’s daughter, Samantha, was assaulted and murdered by a child predator in 2002 in Orange County. She’s been following the case closely, as you would imagine.

Runnion tells me, “Most predators are not the creepy guy next-door, you would never leave your child alone with. These are people who, otherwise, are upstanding citizens, well-liked.” Erin said the Penn State sexual abuse scandal highlights the ethical question of the safety of children first. She said the hierarchy of the university should be “held criminally responsible” for not reporting the alleged assault. Runnion goes on to say, the child predator is often someone “you like, respect, even love.” This is what makes the issue of child abuse so very uncomfortable, and why it so often goes unabated. Sadly, Runnion does not find the details of the case against Sandusky unusual. She says it happens “frighteningly often”. People and communities rally around the accused, not the child victim. She points out, the only way to save children from the abuse is to be a “brave advocate.”

This high profile case has once again riveted the nation on the uncomfortable, pervasive issue of sexual abuse against children. Will we step up this time? The very safety of our children depends on it. It is an epidemic. Consider these statistics: one in four girls will be molested before age 18. One in seven boys will be molested before age 18. Today students at Penn State are being urged to wear blue in support of victims of child molestation. I am. I hope you will too. It’s incumbent upon us all to protect our kids. As Ms. Runnion so poignantly states it –so that … “Children will no longer be left alone… to suffer in silence”.

Learn more about Erin Runnion and The Joyful Child at http://www.thejoyfulchild.org/

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A very important event will take place tomorrow in Newport Beach.  It honors the children you love. I love. And some you have never met…

It’s the annual “Samantha’s Pride Awards”.  The event honors leaders in the community who champion the rights of children. The awards are named for the daughter of child advocate, Erin Runnion. Erin is a tireless fighter and campaigner for the protection and empowerment of kids. There’s a powerful reason for it. Erin’s daughter, Samantha, was taken from her in the summer of 2002 — brutally killed at the hands of a child predator. This beautiful, curly-haired, 5 year-old girl with enormous brown eyes was stolen from in front of her home. Little Samantha fought valiantly kicking and screaming against this stranger who had tricked her by pretending to need help in finding a lost puppy. A massive search was launched. But Samantha’s safe return was not to be. Her lifeless body was discovered twenty hours later. The unspeakable had occurred.

It was under these tragic circumstances that I would meet Erin Runnion. Some time had passed.  But her eyes still held the hollowness of a mother who grieved deeply. And yet vowed to go on. And I was honored she trusted me, this journalist, to tell her story. Over the course of time, I have done dozens of stories on Samantha. On Erin. The court case. And the foundation. And I am moved each and every time.

“The Joyful Child Foundation” was named because of Samantha’s sunny disposition. The sunflowers are the logo because they were “Mantha’s” favorite. Her legacy is one of life-giving, empowerment — quite literally the laughter of children.

In an effort to keep kids safe, “The Joyful Child Foundation” went to work. The foundation is a sponsor of the “radKIDS” program.  It teaches children tools and strategies to escape violence. For example, kids as young as five learn to “think” their way through crisis. They are taught to trust their gut instinct. It’s an amazing success, which Erin has championed locally. Erin is dedicated to this program because she believes that it truly can save children’s lives. It has renewed her sense of purpose.

It’s been nearly a decade since Samantha’s passing. The foundation focuses on her life. Thousands of children’s lives have been affected by her story.  I hope you will consider contributing whatever you can to this worthwhile foundation. Perhaps buy a ticket, donate an item, or give of your time. I look forward to guiding tomorrow’s event. It’s a cause close to my heart.

To learn more, please click here: http://www.thejoyfulchild.org/

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