MCAP Update

By Mary C. Pugh, Esq.,

The Hill of It! MCAP held training to students, faculty, and staff for Sexual Assault Awareness and Bystander Intervention. She is also a certified Rape Aggression Defense, RAD, Instructor. Prior to working at Cabrini University, Mary spent 26 years in the 33rd Annual Run for The Hill of It Live on July 30, 2022! We partnered with Students Run Philly Style, a nonprofit that transforms students’ lives through running and mentorship. Over 200 volunteer mentors and students joined the racers to run the beautiful 5-mile course on an unusually cool July morning. Family, friends, and volunteers cheered the runners and enjoyed the upbeat music, face-painting, and delicious snacks. The Phillie Phanatic excited everyone with his usual silly antics. The combination of the contagious enthusiasm and the wonderful sponsors created a successful and memorable day.

MCAP welcomes Mary Anders as Deputy Director. For the past 7 years, Mary worked for Cabrini University in Radnor, Pennsylvania, as the Public Safety Investigator and Education Officer. She investigated any reported crimes on campus and handled all aspects of Title IX cases. She also provided mandatory the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, 22 of those as a County Detective where she primarily worked on crimes against children. She was cross sworn as a Federal Agent with Homeland Security Investigations, Child Exploitation Unit, Philadelphia Field Office, and was the lead investigator for the Montgomery County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Mary lives in Montgomery County with her three children and enjoys working out at the gym, biking, and spending time at the beach on Long Beach Island, NJ. Mary brings her rich experience and passion for helping children to MCAP!

Join us as we celebrate the Honorable Cheryl L. Austin at this year’s Salute to Heroes Dinner Dance and Auction. This year, we are thrilled to honor Judge Austin for her lifelong commitment to helping people, especially children and families. As we celebrate Her Honor’s inspiring journey, you will be awe-struck by her distinctive and fascinating life. Judge Austin continues to transform and save lives by her dedication and service to others. The evening includes fabulous silent & live auction items (trips, nights out, jewelry), dancing, and delicious food and drink at the beautiful Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel! All proceeds of this highly anticipated annual event go to MCAP’s life-saving work. For more information, go to our webpage for the event at www. mcapkids.org.

Montgomery Child Advocacy Project’s (MCAP) mission is to end and prevent child abuse and neglect in Montgomery County through legal services, advocacy, and education. MCAP operates as a pro-bono model with 140+ professional attorneys (trained by MCAP) on our roster who donate approximately 8,000 hours to our child clients’ cases each year. Since our founding in 2004, MCAP has provided free legal services for more than 6,200 children. To learn more please see our website at www.mcapkids.org.