ALLY Foundation

CONTACT:

138 St. James Aveue, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
617-367-2559
www.theallyfoundation.org

Andrea Casanova, Founder

DESCRIPTION:

On July 18, 2002, Alexandra Nicole Zapp was brutally murdered at a rest stop on Rte. 24 by a repeat sexual predator with 24 prior convictions — released from prison untreated and unsupervised. Ally’s mother and stepfather established this foundation to educate the public and to advocate changes that will prevent such tragedies. The challenges it faces are formidable. Massachusetts citizens experience 2,000 rapes and 500 other sexual assaults every year — that are reported. Loopholes in the law, and failure to understand the special issues presented by sex offenders, compound the problem. Where to begin? Greater Boston has huge numbers of university students, so campus chapters to raise consciousness is one way; last year the first ALLY Foundation chapter was established at Northeastern University, and more are in the works. In the campaign for legislative reforms, the Foundation received a standing ovation last April with the passage of a new law expanding the definition of sex crimes. The Foundation is developing a "Sex Offender Continuum" — a comprehensive public strategy of treatment and control. It has been said that all social changes begin with only one person — to which we add, “and philanthropy.”

(2004: HUMAN SERVICES: Girls and Women: General)