circle c ranch ny allegations

Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. OPTION 1: Bring your Youth Group. There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. The longtime director of a Christian youth camp in Delevan is refusing to step down despite complaints that he inappropriately touched young women and girls at the camp and when he was a youth pastor in the 1990s at one of the areas largest churches. Read the full story from News Staff Reporter Jay Tokasz. The attorney advised that Aarum step down as president and camp director, but the board didnt follow through on that advice, said Fancher, who no longer is on the camps board. Especially about potency and trying to defeat erectile dysfunction. Speaking the truth to a difficult situation can be met with hostility, fear, and a wide variety of other responses., The boards own investigative report also suggested that the unidentified women cited in Norris report may have misinterpreted Aarums gestures of good will because of a common type of trauma in their past that makes them ultra-sensitive to certain kinds of verbal Bible teaching or certain physical actions such as hugs that are entirely appropriate and not at all offensive to other women in the same circumstances.. I can honestly say no.. The longtime director of a Christian youth camp in Delevan is refusing to step down despite complaints that he inappropriately touched young women and girls. In early 2021, The Chapel held a members-only meeting to share some of the findings and to announce the church was suspending all activities and financial ties to Circle C Ranch. We've seen nothing, heard nothing, and they're operating from an anonymous standpoint with everybody, and we believe they have an agenda to take over the ranch," Dekalb added. Are you looking for a friendly forum where you can practice and develop your For an overview of the site and a few ideas as to how it can help save you time and get you connected with your community, click About Our Website under the Home button. Keeping his hands on their bodies way too long when it wasnt necessary at all.. The owner of this property was George Peterson who was a board member of the Bible Conference Wes directed. It matters in cities. In a written response to the allegations posted on its website, Circle C leaders defended Aarum, saying he has been systematically denied the right of every person in the American systemto know and confront accusers, and alleged that The Chapels leadership turned to social media influencers and the pastors of other churches to help distribute its anonymous claims., The leaders said sponsoring anonymous claims is directly counter to the Bibles specific teachings., In another documentone of seven on the siteCircle C accused the Chapel, a megachurch with an enormous budget, well over $12 million annually, of trying to acquire the Ranchs property, a very choice 315 acres of rural land, by demanding a board restructuring to exclude members of the family that began the Ranch in 1968 and has run it ever since.. After Bible School, University and Seminary Wes went full time into the Lords work. This website was created for residents in order to provide you with more convenience and opportunities to share ideas and information; get news and announcements; access an online resource center for important It matters in small towns. In the interests of fairness, the two reporters pursued interviews with supporters of Aarum. The leadership of New York Christian camp Circle C Ranch defended operations director Wayne Aarum against claims that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with multiple girls beginning decades ago, saying an internal investigation showed there was no substantial credible evidence of misconduct. Sticht, who said she worked at the summer camp from 2000 to 2003, said she witnessed Aarum hug a girl in a way that his fingers would be touching the underwire of her bra., Id see Wayne touching these girls, exactly the ones we knew he would, at the rock climbing wall, Stitch said. INVESTIGATION: These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, 'He was my identity': How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma, More: Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. Time and again, even as the local news industry has been buffeted for a quarter-century by change, reporting by trained professionals continues tobe a catalyst for positive change in our communities. I remember looking at my friend in pure terror., This woman said that at times Aarum would corner her in the camp and that one time, when she was 15 years old, he told her, youre just so beautiful and guys are going to want to be with you and have sex with you because youre so beautiful., She said, the staff all knew about it. While at that camp Wes got to thinking that maybe someday he would be able to start a camp where young people could come to know Christ. set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. There was a problem saving your notification. After article publication, the law firm has been inundated with calls and emails from additional fact witnesses and victims. Ross had been a board member of Canadian Youth for Christ when Wes had been the President and was such a blessing to that ministry. Thursday, April 8, 2021. Click here to read a copy of the MinistrySafe report submitted to state officials. An internal investigation earlier this year by Texas attorney Kimberlee Norris found 21 women who alleged Aarum touched them inappropriately when they were teenagers or young women. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Laura Snell, 22, of Alexandria, Virginia, previously spoke about her allegations against Aarum as part of a USA TODAY Network New York investigation in June, which detailed claims of sexual and emotional abuse against Aarum from 16 women over two decades. Furthermore, Taddeo and Silvarole included what could be learned about how camp leaders dealt with complaints made about Aarum: "Circle C Ranch wouldultimately determinethe initial allegationswere false through its own internal investigation. 1.) According to a report . My evaluation of credibility is based upon 30 years of past experience interacting with fact witnesses and abuse survivors. Other alleged inappropriate behaviors are mentioned in the report. It's particularly true, though, when enterprising reporters receivea good story tip and stay with it until they get to the heart of an important story that otherwise would never have been told. It would have all the mystique of the Old West and it would look like a town in the 1800s. Aarum, who was a youth pastor at The Chapel, a large Buffalo-area church, and later the camp president at Circle C Ranch, a Christian camp in rural Cattaraugus County, was a well-known. WAYNE AARUM. To reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may know that they are born again. This was maybe 12 or so years ago. Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. None agreed to interviews on the recordfor this story, and they didnot provide additional sources who would be willing to comment on the record.". Bob asked when he would pay it back? Former Circle C Ranch staffer discusses effects of abuse. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage $14,800. They initiated the whole process because she wanted [him] not to be able to work with kids anymore. Im not the type of person to spread things around just to ruin someone, she said. It finally became a reality when in 1968 he found the property where God wanted him to start that camp. The accused, Wayne Aarum, is the director of Circle C Ranch camp in Delevan, New York. Carnahan had attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter, she said. That investigation found more than 20 women who said Wayne Aarum touched them inappropriately or fostered inappropriate and abusive relationships with them, both at The Chapel in the 1990s and later at Circle C Ranch, according to a report prepared by MinistrySafe investigator Kimberlee Norris. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. Another alleged victim wrote to the I-Team that the inappropriate contact such as the unsolicited long hugs and hands near or on the breasts and hips were so disturbing that the youth group she was a part of confronted Aarum and his father. The board which consists of Wayne Aarum, his brother, Wes, and Daryl Dekalb posted a 34-page report on the camp's website, along with a response to Norris report and various statements objecting to the Chapels actions. They spoke to Aarum, who denied any wrongdoing, according to the Chapel's statement. Attorney Steven Long of Williamsvillelaw firm Long & Paulo-Lee, PLLC, who represents Aarum, did not immediately return requests for comment. Thank you for your support. "So much so, we are changing our traditional schedule to give your family the chance to experience everything we are offering this year.". The camp is veering from its traditional model this summer, insteadfocusing on "Family Camp Weekends" in July and August, according to information shared on its website on Monday. He has consistently denied all of the allegations against him. In addition to his duties at Circle C Ranch, Aarum also currently serves as a pastor at First Baptist Church of Arcade in Wyoming County. Some things have changed but these three things will never change! Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. information shared on its website on Monday. Snells lawsuit alleges that Circle C Ranch failed to investigate claims against Aarum in a timely fashion and report findings about his conduct, and failed to terminate him in light of his inappropriate and predatory actions and behaviors with minors, according to the paperwork. Aarum, in recent sermons, has compared the accusations to Jesus being crucified by people he helped, as reported by The Roys Report. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? My byline has run in the Ithaca Journal, USA Today, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times. An alleged victim who is now 25 and who said she was heavily involved at Circle C said, He would sit next to me and put his hand on my leg and rub my inner thigh and outer thigh. Percy, as they wanted to call him, was considered by many to be the founder of the Christian Camp Ministry. Hed get uncomfortably close to my face, and I remember thinking as a teenager about the tension of him being so close to my face, like is he trying to kiss me? said Carnahan, who now lives near Tampa and works in a restaurant. Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. Camardo also told the congregation there was no truth to the rumor that the Chapel was attempting to take over operation of the camp. And at its best, local journalism reveals truths that leaders and institutions of importance would much prefer remain hidden. It made me mad watching the interview., Aarum, reached by phone denies that and all the allegations, saying again he wants the opportunity to talk with "anyone who has a problem with him. Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls. The Chapel in Amherst said it cut ties with the Circle C Ranch following an internal investigation by a Texas lawyer that found Wayne Aarum hadengaged in a pattern of inappropriate behaviors, such as stroking the legs and touching the clothed breasts and genital areas of young women and teenage girls. I don't know, but one thing I am sure of is that Taddeo and Silvarole will be ready to write about it. Reporters also tried to contactRonald Snell,a longtime friend of Wes Aarum Sr. andCircle C board member for a short period, whowas also present at the meeting. investigation by USA TODAY Network New York State Team reporters Sarah Taddeo and Georgie Silvarole, These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma, Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago, the camp announced a change for how it will operate this summer, Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Aarum, 55,remains in his position as director of Circle C Ranch. 10451 Ashcraft Rd Delevan, NY 14042 One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. To make a donation,click here. That was of the Lord. Click here to read the internal investigation report provided by Circle C Ranch. The suit is seeking more than $2.5 million in damages for "harm to reputation, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional injury," as well as an additional $625,000 in financial damages, according to court filings. Finally, the notion that the allegations were planted or suggested by counselors or social workers is patently absurd.". New York, and the operator of Circle C Ranch youth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls in the 1990s. At this age, he began to take care of his health. A copy of the report, which was obtained by 7 Eyewitness News, stated: In the course of the MinistrySafe investigation, these behaviors were communicated: -stroking legs (outside clothing and on bare skin), -touching vaginal area- outside clothing (in shorts or jeans), -touching, rubbing and stroking breasts, outside clothing, -stroking from hips to breasts, clothed, on the side of the body, -pressing penis into back of girl (hugging from behind), -rubbing penis repeatedly in a girls presence, -extended hug of a partially dressed girl", The report stated that 27 people came forward to corroborate some of the alleged behaviors, including hand rubbing inside of thighfailing to honor preference NOT to be touched and meeting 1/1 with girls late into the night.. It takes courage to stand up to The Chapels leadership and demand that they stop spending large amounts of the members money pursuing a broad attack on Wayne Aarum that they believe is factually unsupportable, the statement said. Got a story tip or comment? The change comes less than a week after publication of aUSA TODAY Networkinvestigation, which found that the camp's director, WayneAarum, fostered improper relationships and touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, some on multiple occasions, according to their firsthand accounts. One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. A Chicago developer has been eyeing the 315-acre Circle C Ranch camp property for a proposed $500 million windmill project, but the camps board has refused to sell or lease the land, according to court papers. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Circle C Ranch Director Wayne Aarum filed a $2.5M lawsuit against The Chapel the same day the USA Today Network reported abuse allegations by former camp staffers. That was of the Lord. But now that she is an adult, she said she would describe the interactions with girls as intimate and a form of grooming.. Follow heronTwitter @Sjtaddeo. "Wayne has ministered to thousands and thousands of kids over the years, and we never heard anything from anybody.". Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. A friend of Ross & Wes was a man named Bob Lowe who was a very successful businessman. Some members defended Camardos handling of the situation, including an unidentified board member in the meeting who pointed to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalos troubles in recent years for sweeping all of this stuff under the rug.. He was born in Buffalo, NY into a godly family and at 17 years of age accepted Christ into his life. Tight hugging. Daryl Dekalb, a Circle C Ranch Board Member, appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. Such stories cannot be rushed. Its common for women as they get along in lifeto see how their lives are not going well and when they sit down, like with a social workerand they start hearing stuff from a social worker that says to them, Well, have you ever had something in your life where maybe this is set off, the condition that youre in now?. There was a problem saving your notification. Amherst Police officials did not respond to an inquiry by 7 Eyewitness News, but Daryl DeKalb, a board member at Circle C Ranch, said none of that is true and defended Aarum. Attorney Kimberlee Norris said she interviewed 21 women who alleged inappropriate touch by Aarum. Many of these people say he could not have possibly done what he is accused. Leaders at The Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported the allegations to law enforcement. (Both boys are college graduates and are now full time in the ministry working with college as well as public and high school students.) That man was Mr. Ross Barker a businessman from Toronto. Wayne Aarum and his wife, Julie, in an interview with WKBW-TV about allegations that Wayne Aarum inappropriately touched girls and young women while a youth minister at The Chapel and at Circle C Ranch, a Christian camp he runs in Delevan. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. At least 21 women have come forward to lawyers hired by The Chapel at Crosspoint to probe allegations of inappropriate touching and contact with girls by Wayne Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel who worked there in the 1990s. In her lawsuit, filed last month in Cattaraugus County under the state Child Victims Act, Snell claims Aarum, 55, touched her inappropriately between 2008 and 2015, when she was a minor, including touching her genitals, breasts and buttocks; rubbing her inner and upper thighs and pressing his pelvis into her back. I remember a lot of hugs lasting a little too long.. Aarum has denied any wrongdoing, and he told his congregation in April that he never intended to offend anyone with his remarks or actions. read more Filed Under: Church She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial, according to the court filing. The Chapel also hired MinistrySafe, an independent legal firm that looks into abuse allegations in Christian settings, to investigate allegations that abuse occurred at The Chapel in the 1990s. ORIGINAL STORY:. They have been a team that Gdo brought together. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. We have TWO options for bringing campers to Snow Camp. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Does public speaking or speaking in a group make you nervous? A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus County youth camp stands accused of sexual misconduct with teen girls -- even though he denies the allegations. Chapel leaders learned a few months later about additional allegations of inappropriate behavior by Aarum during his time as a church staff member from 1991 to 2000. Not immediately return requests for comment counselors or social workers is patently absurd. `` like circle c ranch ny allegations town in 1800s... Copy of the mortgage $ 14,800 much prefer remain hidden behaviors are in... Taddeo and Silvarole will be ready to write about it internal investigation report by. Us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out Paulo-Lee PLLC... When it wasnt necessary at all Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported allegations! For comment said she interviewed 21 women who alleged inappropriate touch by Aarum the... 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