--Local Non-Profit Organization Looks Ahead With New and Familiar Faces--

Norristown, PA, June 11, 2009— Mission Kids, a non-profit organization aimed at easing the criminal justice process for abused children in Montgomery County, has recently announced the election of this year’s officers.

Montgomery County District Attorney, Risa Vetri Ferman, who co-founded the organization, was re-elected as President. It was Vetri Ferman’s strong commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of children in Montgomery County that helped to create the organization.

Laurie O’Connor will continue to serve as Vice President. O’Connor is currently the Director at the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth and has a long-standing career in public child welfare. During her 22-year tenure, she has held a variety of positions at Montgomery County’s Office of Children and Youth, including caseworker, Community Relations Specialist, Administrative Officer, and Quality Assurance Administrator. O’Connor is a graduate of Juniata College and received her Masters of Science in Social Service Administration from Penn State University.

Paul J. Kelly III, CPA, has served as Treasurer since the organization’s launch in 2008 and was re-elected for another term. As a CPA and auditor, Kelly has over 28 years of experience and focuses extensively on serving the non-profit industry. Currently, Kelly is a manager of Assurance and Accounting services for LarsonAllen LLP, in Blue Bell, PA. Kelly is a graduate of LaSalle University where he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting and is currently pursuing his MBA.

Meredith Seigle, Esq., was elected Secretary. Seigle is the principal of Southampton Legal Services, Inc., a private law firm located in Philadelphia, PA. She has been practicing and litigating cases in Federal and State Courts for 15 years. Seigle received her law degree from Western New England School of Law and her B.A. in International Relations from Lehigh University.

In addition, the organization introduced Tim Cifelli as its newest member to the board. Cifelli is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Diccicco Battista Communications, a leading PR and advertising agency located in Horsham, PA. During his 15-year PR career, Cifelli has promoted everything from hospitals and banks to restaurants and software firms and has led publicity and planning efforts for some of the area’s most recognized events including the Philadelphia Home Show, the renaming of the Susquehanna Bank Center, and the Philadelphia International Auto Show.  Cifelli is also an avid supporter of local children’s charities and causes, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s fight against childhood cancer. Cifelli is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University.

“We’re thrilled to have such dedicated individuals as the backbone of this organization,” said Vetri Ferman. “With the leadership of these individuals, we will to continue in our mission of raising awareness of child abuse and providing the means for these children to heal.”

With an estimated 600 children victimized by abuse in Montgomery County each year, Mission Kids aims to open a Child Advocacy Center to encourage healing and support for these children and their families. The Mission Kids Center will be the first of its kind in Montgomery County and is expected to open in fall 2009.

Those who would like to make a donation to Mission Kids may contact Executive Director, Abbie Newman at 215-869-0492, or visit www.missionkidscac.org.

About Mission Kids

Mission Kids is a 501(c)(3) corporation located in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. Founded in March 2008, Mission Kids was created by the collaborative effort of the Montgomery County District Attorney, the Police Chiefs of Montgomery County, and the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth to help ease the criminal justice process for abused children in Montgomery County. Mission Kids will serve as a child-friendly facility where abused children can receive the necessary support services to help them heal. The organization will officially open their program in fall of 2009.