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Mission The ALLY Foundation's mission is to prevent opportunities for violent sex offenses, to educate the public and advocate for necessary changes in culture, attitude and policy. Vision Our vision at The ALLY Foundation is that of a society with No More Victims. The Foundation believes it can assist the greater community in achieving this common ideological aspiration by first stopping all known sex offenders from reoffending. We have the knowledge about how to best proceed, but need more action in the fight against sexual violence. The Foundation seeks to quickly advance this important social movement.
The ALLY Foundation was established in memory of Alexandra Nicole Zapp, our loving daughter, sister and friend, who was murdered by a repeat sex offender on July 18, 2002. The Foundation, founded and run by Ally’s mother and stepfather, has a mission to prevent opportunities for violent sex offenses, to educate the public and advocate for necessary changes in culture, attitude and policy It strives to celebrate Alexandra’s memory with the same charitable and compassionate spirit that guided her throughout her short life. Like so many families whose children have been taken from them by convicted sex offenders, Andrea and Steve first set out to fix the specific loophole that may have prevented Ally’s death. While working to solve the gaps in Massachusetts’ civil commitment law, they soon realized that the entire way we deal with sex offenders is too fragmented and inconsistent to be effective. It was clear that a piecemeal approach had been taken towards sex offender management and that no one had ever stepped back to develop a well-thought out system. Such variable procedures do not set consistent standards for offenders and cannot hold them accountable, increasing the risk to the community. Sex offenders cannot be cured but we can do an infinitely better job at managing them once they are in the system. The Foundation works to prevent known offenders from re-offending by creating a dynamic national infrastructure, implementing evidence-based practices nationally, and informing federal, state and local legislation. After almost five years of research and exploration, The ALLY Foundation has what it believes to be a comprehensive model that is dynamic, evidenced-based and effective in reducing repeat sex offenses by known offenders. It consists of specialized sex offense courts, state-level multi-disciplinary teams to set consistent guidelines, and an overarching national resource center to offer assistance to the state teams and information and resources to the general public. The driving principal behind this system is that models, communication and adaptability are necessary to handle this large and complex problem often shrouded in secrecy and shame. The three-pronged system aims to promote best practices while being able to respond to new circumstances and research. With a 400% increase in convicted sex offenders during the past decade, these management issues will not go away.
Is The ALLY Foundation a political organization? Is The ALLY Foundation a political organization? No – The ALLY Foundation is a non-partisan organization interested in working collaboratively with government, criminal justice professionals, research experts, businesses, communities and private citizens to enhance public safety and prevent future victimization. There are many ways to contribute, and don't forget – your employer may provide matching funds for charitable donations! Are contributions to The ALLY Foundation tax deductible? The ALLY Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Donations to The ALLY Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. What is The ALLY Foundation's Federal Tax ID number? Our federal identification number is 46-0502448. We rely on the support of our wonderful volunteers to keep the Foundation growing every year. There are many opportunities to join us in the fight against sexual violence: participating in our racing events, attending our fundraising parties, sponsoring an event, or simply volunteering your time.
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The ALLY Foundation 617-367-ALLY (2559) Email: info@theallyfoundation.org
On July 17, 2002 Alexandra Nicole Zapp was a unique and vibrant thirty year old woman with her whole life ahead of her. On July 18 all of that changed. The Tragedy That night, Alexandra drove to Boston for a charity cruise and a concert. On her way home to Newport, Rhode Island, she stopped at a rest area in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. When Ally went into the Burger King restaurant at the rest stop, the manager that took her order took special notice of her because "she was nice to me, she treated me like a human being." That would be the last conversation that Ally would ever have. Neither Ally nor the night manager could have any way of knowing that a dangerous sexual predator, Paul Leahy, with twenty four convictions including rape and kidnapping was working in their midst; completely unsupervised, untreated, and recently released from prison by the state. Paul Leahy attacked Alexandra as she opened the women's restroom door. There was little Alexandra could do to fight Leahy, a man twice her weight, but she fought hard, even pleading with him to let her go and claim that he had rescued her from an attacker. It was useless. Next door in the men's bathroom State Trooper Stephen O'Reilly heard suspicious noises, and upon investigation saw blood on the door to the women's restroom. Trooper O'Reilly drew his gun and opened the restroom door to find Leahy washing his hands in a blood soaked room. Leahy said "I lost it, I just lost it." Alexandra's death was due to a catastrophic failure of the criminal justice system, the very institution mandated to protect the innocent. Paul Leahy's rights were put before Alexandra's when the state allowed a repeat violent sex offender to roam the streets freely. The ALLY Foundation will relentlessly pursue an integrated system of cooperation between government, the criminal justice system, and citizens to ensure the safety of society is a priority so that what happened to Alexandra will never, ever happen again. Last Exit For more information about Alexandra and her murder please read "Last Exit," (pdf) an article written about Alexandra's story by Gretchen Voss, published in the October 2002 issue of Boston Magazine.
Although close to her family and friends back home on the West coast, since moving East, Alexandra easily made many friends. Alexandra could usually be seen introducing herself to a newcomer and instantly making them feel like they had known her for years. Alexandra met people in all types of places and from all walks of life; some she met at one of the many charity organizations she devoted herself to, many she sailed with, and some she met while drinking a pint of her favorite beer, Guinness. No matter how many friends she had, Alexandra always managed to make everyone of her friends feel special. Though there is no way of calculating how many people Alexandra touched during the short time she was given, the tremendous outpouring of love and sympathy from people all across the country must be an indication of how well loved Alexandra was. If you would like to explore more about Alexandra and her family and friends please visit Alexandra Nicole Zapp's web site. Alexandra had many interests and passions in her short life, but few were as near and dear to her heart as the Charity Organizations she worked with, children's programs, animals - especially her dog U.B., the University of Oregon Ducks, and sailing. The ALLY Foundation is committed to honoring Alexandra by continuing to support those Causes and Foundations that she was most devoted to in her life.
One of the primary objectives of The ALLY Foundation is to map out conventional ways of handling sex offense cases within the criminal justice system and identify areas in need of improvement. Where possible, The ALLY Foundation identifies and promotes programs and policies that have an evidence basis for efficacy in reducing repeat sex offenses. Such recommendations often point to a need for specialization in responding to sex offenses. Illustratively, The ALLY Foundation advocates for specialized sex offense courts in order to enhance traditional justice approaches to handling these complicated cases. A recent example of The ALLY Foundation's success in this area is our partnership with the Boston Municipal Court (BMC) to examine and improve the processing of sex offense cases coming before the BMC. Please check back soon as we are expanding on this section of our website.
Resolution to Support Sex Offense Courts Andrea Casanova was invited to testify before The National Lieutenant Governors Association on February 7th in Washington, DC. On behalf of The ALLY Foundation, Andrea presented a Resolution to Advocate for Awareness of Pilot Sexual Offense Courts (pdf) which requests that every Lt. Governor support the concept of specialized courts for sexual offenders, and assist The ALLY Foundation in implementing these courts nationwide. The Resolution was unanimously accepted, and we are pleased to announce that we have already received widespread interest in establishing pilot courts around the country!
Information on Sexual Offending in the United States In the United States, with unreported incidents included, the total of attempted and completed rapes and sexual assaults is approximately 366,460 each year. 1 In their lifetimes, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men are sexually abused. 2 Sexual offenses are the most underreported violent crime. 3 In terms of the costs of crime victimization, the National Institute of Justice reports that rape costs 127 billion dollars every year, or $86,500 per victim, the highest of any crime including murder. 4 Sexual offenses are, according to some researches, the least understood form of deviance. 5 Sexual offenders are increasingly seen as a complex group of criminals that may be unique from other criminal populations in certain respects (e.g., the criminal event, offending patterns, diagnosis of personality or mental disorder, age, race, and socio-economic status). 6 In developing effective criminal justice responses to sexual offending, sanctions or management strategies must be built on recognition of the nature of this crime and the ways in which it poses distinctive risks to victims. Traditional Court Response Sexual assault and rape are greatly underreported to police in the United States. In part, this is due to a victim's fear of being re-victimized by the criminal justice system and due to many women's beliefs that the criminal justice process will do nothing for them. 7 Only a small percentage of all reports of sexual assault and rape result in conviction. 8 Of reported rape cases, many are rejected for prosecution nationwide, often times in opposition to the victim's articulated wishes. Victims are not always provided with information about their cases, their perpetrators, or the resources available to them. It is reasonable, then, that victims would be hesitant to report sexual crimes to the police. 99% of convicted sexual offenders will at some point reside in the community, of which most will be on probation or parole. 9 Judges, and other courtroom officials, must therefore be familiar with sexual offenders' special risks, especially their secretiveness, and set the conditions of their probation or parole accordingly. Sexual offenders also tend to be older, more educated, and of higher socioeconomic status than other criminal populations; highlighting, again the need to set the conditions of their probation or parole according to the unique nature of their offending and the ways in which they attempt to hide it. 10 There is no cure for sexual offending. However, there are benefits of certain types of sex offender specific treatment. 11 Still, some sexual offenders are being ordered into other treatment regimes that have no evidence of effectiveness. Over 90% of the time, prosecutor's plea bargain sexual offense cases to either a lesser sexual offense or to a non-sexual offense charge. 12 Sexual offenders continue to "max out" of their incarceration sentences despite substantiated research demonstrating that those who "max out" of prison are often the most serious offenders. 13 The Potential for Specialized Sex Offense Courts (SOCs) Once a sexual offense has actually been reported, the criminal justice process should, from beginning to end, ensure a safe and non threatening experience for victims and entail a process that holds offenders accountable via the most effective dispositions possible. SOCs have the ability, through an emphasis on training court officials, victim sensitivity, and considerations of community safety with every court decision, to alleviate the problems with traditional justice approaches to sexual offense cases. One would expect that with proper education about the characteristics of sexual offenders and their offending behaviors, courtroom officials would utilize more effective sentences for these offenders. More effective sentences include ensuring that sexual offenders do not "max out" of their incarceration terms without supervision, and that the conditions of probation for each sex offender reflects their unique risks. Further, courts that include dedicated officials who are concerned about victims' experiences in the court process are likely to increase victim satisfaction and over time increase reporting rates. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in South African SOCs, which have been in existence since 1993. Victim satisfaction and comfort is likely to lead to more thorough evidence against perpetrators and consequently, an increase in convictions and a decrease in plea deals that result in non-sexual offense charges. Three specialty courts for sexual offenses opened early 2006 in the State of New York, with more likely to follow. In response, The ALLY Foundation is setting out key principles that are likely to be effective components of SOCs. We urge that these elements be incorporated in future SOCs around the country. **Sexual offenses are a complex type of crime that require specialized attention, for various reasons, if not most importantly, for the undeniable harm sex offenses cause their victims and our communities. The Ally Foundation's objective is to create comprehensive guidelines for proper management of sexual offenders, of which, a sexual offense court is the cornerstone. Yet, it must be articulated that a sexual offense court is not enough on its own. An ideal situation would be a community that has a sexual offense court, but that also has a reputable treatment program for sex offenders, intensive sex offender probation and parole departments with small case loads, better treatment programs in prison, better re-entry planning for sex offenders entering the community upon release from prison, extensive use of polygraph technology as a component of treatment and supervision, and victim advocates stationed in all sexual offense probation and parole units. If all these initiatives are in place then an offender is most likely to be "contained". Lastly, but very importantly, the public must become educated about the realities of sex offenders, especially as it relates to what works best in containing them. [1] Rennison, C. M. (2002). Rape and sexual assault: Reporting to police and medical attention. Retrieved on December 1, 2005 from, Bureau of Justice Statistics: Selected findings. Web site: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/rsarp00.pdf.
Historically, The ALLY Foundation has been supported through annual events such as the Sail for a Change Flip Flop Regatta in Boston Harbor. Each foundation event follows our "Live for a Change" motto and is born from the original Sail for a Change theme, created by Ally's loving friends and fellow sailors in 2003. The ALLY Foundation's events promote both strong community involvement and individual opportunities to join in the fight against sexual violence. We use corporate sponsorship and in-kind donations to keep event expenses to a minimum. We thank our numerous, dedicated volunteers, committee members and supporters. Whether attending one of our galas, running, riding or sailing, we invite you to join us, and live... for a change!
Please email Jessica Peterson if you would like to be a member of the Committee or an Event Sponsor
The race course is just over 18 miles long, around Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay. The Rules Governing the Race will be the 2005-2008 Racing Rules of sailing as administered by the US Sailing Association and individual class rules shall apply.
Join Team ALLY in the 6th Annual "Run for a Change"! The ALLY Foundation is recruiting 25 dedicated runners (and fundraisers), rookies or pros, to run the 2008 Boston Marathon while raising funds and awareness for the “Run For A Change” fundraiser. Each runner must pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 on behalf of the Foundation, and also run 26.2 miles on April 21, 2008… Team ALLY runners must:
Members of Team ALLY will receive:
Thank you to adidas for once again including The ALLY Foundation in their charity program. We are grateful to be a part of this world class event. ![]()
2008 Date To Be Announced! As hosts of the very first cycling event to raise national awareness and funds for the prevention of repeat sex offenses, The ALLY Foundation was honored to have 12 outstanding Ride for a Change participants on September 23, 2006! We were humbled and inspired by each and every one of our dedicated riders, who conquered challenging hills and even endured two hours of continuous torrential downpours to complete the 50 mile bike ride along Cape Ann! These guys and gals were troopers and deserve all of your support!
Flip Flop Regatta August 8 - 9, 2008
Whether you are a landlubber or a sailor, this event has something for everyone. Last year's Mount Gay Rum tent parties were heralded as some of the best Boston has to offer. This year will be even better, as we celebrate the Flip Flop Regatta’s 6th Anniversary! Come dance to incredible live music on the water under the Boston skyline. Boston, MA To learn more about the Flip Flop Regatta and how to become an official sponsor please contact us. Learn how the regatta began and see the race in action in our newly released Flip Flop Regatta Video!
2008 Date To Be Announced! The last Faces for Change Party was held on April 15, 2005 at the State Room, atop 60 State Street. The event was a huge success with several hundred party-goers and many volunteers dedicated to making the night a success.
5th Annual Beacon Rock Gala Hosts: Come join the ALLY Foundation for a night of fun at the historic Beacon Rock Mansion. Tickets include complimentary cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, raw bar, auction, and live music by Boston's "The Rolling Who?" Event Consultant: Kristen Kuliga Committee Members:
One of the most critical responsibilities of The ALLY Foundation is to raise the visibility of the sexual violence problem in every American community, as well as across the globe. As most people react to the subject from a position of fear, anger, and/or ignorance, we strive to open up an enlightening and empowering national dialog. Our success in developing a national campaign to communicate the magnitude of this epidemic depends, in large part, on local and national support for our research and advocacy efforts.
We thank you for taking the time to find out how you can help further the lifesaving efforts of The ALLY Foundation. Our research, policy and awareness initiatives are in large part made possible by the generous donations and volunteered time of individuals, corporations and foundations. Your support is extremely important as it enables us to keep our expenses to a minimum, and direct more funds to the development of intelligent solutions to the repeat sex offense crisis in our culture. How to Donate There are many ways to contribute. The ALLY Foundation is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, Federal Tax ID #46-0502448. Your gift may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Service; you will receive a thank you letter to document your gift for tax purposes. Ways to Help You can make a financial contribution to prevent the opportunity for violent sex offences, to educate the public and to advocate for necessary change in legal policy. You can make your donation on-line, by mail or phone. You can even set up an electronic debit from your bank or 401(k) account. Become a Sponsor Become a Sponsor for one of our many fundraising events! We rely on the generous support of many outstanding companies and individuals to make possible our fundraising events that raise much needed funds and awareness for this life-saving cause. Our new site will present specific sponsorship opportunities for you to select from, so stay tuned. Please contact us for more information if you would like to sponsor one of our events or other ALLY activity. Support one or more of our runners or riders in our "Run for a Change" and "Ride for a Change" Events Our runners and riders participate in our endurance events to raise funds for The ALLY Foundation while meeting their personal fitness goals in the Boston Marathon and our 50 mile bike ride along Cape Ann. You can help them reach their fundraising goals by making a donation online through FirstGiving or via mail indicating which participant you would like to support. Does your company have a Matching Gift program? Matching gifts can double or sometimes triple your individual contribution. If your employer will match your contribution, request a matching gift form from your benefits or human resources department, complete it, and ask that the check be made payable to "The ALLY Foundation." The ALLY Foundation is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, Federal Tax ID #46- 0502448.
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Our Sponsors
The ALLY Foundation's research, policy and awareness initiatives are in large part made possible by the generosity of our many sponsors. We're very thankful for all of you, who see the need for action, and then entrust us to act. Individual and corporate backings combined with funds from various Foundations allow The ALLY Foundation to fulfill its mission.
LEGAL SUPPORT
RUN FOR A CHANGE
| Mrs. Leonard J. Casanova | Kelsey Fisher |
| James Cook | Peter Flaherty |
| Brian Cunha | Jan & Jenny Kahn |
| Stephen M. Curry | Gretchen Lobitz |
| Morris Englander | Joe Muscarella |
| Russell B. Fearing | Kevin C. Phelan |
| Robert R. Ott | Sheila Schwartz |
| Dave Petrone | Kathryn Tucker |
| Thomas Taranto | Margot Wells |
RUN FOR A CHANGE
| Sponsors $2,500+ |
| Adidas |
| Soviero Foundation |
| Sarah R. Monaco |
| Janet Loneran-Spinney |
| Susan Ragon |
| Tudor Investment Corp |
| Platinum $1,000+ |
| Robert Andrews |
| Patrick Carney Foundation |
| Elissa Parks |
| Gold $500+ | |
| Jeff L. Andrews | Richard Ganong |
| Michael Armano | Hovey Tile Art |
| Linda A. Ashwood | Judith K Lally |
| Jennifer Ashwood | Kathleen Anne Porter |
| Buehler Realty Trust | Lawrence J. Signore |
| Patrick Carney | Southern Way Surgical, LLC |
| Michael K. Evans | Brian Sullivan |
| Faunce Corner Properties Inc | Timothy Tedeschi |
| Joseph Fitzpatrick |
| Silver $250+ | |
| Bob Ackerman | Kelly Muldoon |
| Jacqueline M. Buckley | Matthew Murphy |
| Linda M. Byam | Mark Myers Mermel |
| Stephen M. Curry | Michelle L O' Grady |
| Christopher Demayo | Edward T. O'Connor |
| Steve Driscoll | Carlos R. Olivares |
| Earl W Duval | Abigail Principe |
| Mark V Forzati | Joe Roman |
| Andrew Hartzell | Robert P. Rooney |
| Katherine Hartzell | Neal J. Ryan |
| Edward J. Howe | Elizabeth A. Schlowsky |
| Doug Lally | Robert Schlowsky |
| George Lally | Seacoast Orthopedics & Sports Medicine |
| Shaun Broadbent | Greg Simeone |
| Liberty Mutual | Donald Singleton |
| Terry Liebman | Pamela A. Solly |
| Vinu Malik | Robert F. Vesey |
| Andrea C Martinson | Jeff Swider |
| Joshua McInerney | W.T. Kenny Co., Inc |
| H. Robert McMahan | Gregory J. Wipf |
| Thomas V. Moses | Alexander A Zecca |
SAIL FOR A CHANGE
| Presenting Sponsor |
| Stride Ride |
| Sperry TopSider |
| Official Awards Sponsor |
| Long's Jewelers |
| Event Sponsors |
| Flee, Suzanne Robin |
| Sailtime Boston |
| Captain Sponsors |
| John Downey |
| John McHugh |
| Bryan Lee |
| Tom Zauli |
| Clipper Sponsor |
| Neil Faulkner |
| Margot Casanova Wells |
FACES FOR A CHANGE
| Sponsors $2500+ |
| Thomas Soviero |
| Tudor Investments |
| Platinum $1000+ |
| The Boston Red Sox |
| Boston's CBS4 |
| Pressed Sandwiches |
| Boston Properties |
| Gold $500+ | |
| Atlantic Associates | Jenn Khoury |
| Bear Stearns | Sarah & Jonathan Koe |