Janice R. Andrews
Dozens of former Academy at Ivy Ridge students met in Ogdensburg on Saturday to demand justice and healing for the trauma they experienced at the controversial institution.
Carrying signs with themes like “justice and healing.” Lies and Greed,” the survivors organized a demonstration outside Ogdensburg City Hall, drawing attention to the alleged physical and sexual abuse revealed in the Netflix documentary “The Program.”
Robert Pedersen, an Academy survivor, highlighted the seriousness of their cause, saying, “The time is now. We’re going to try to get as much done as we can while we have the spotlight.”
For many of the former students, returning to Ogdensburg and the location of their trauma felt unreal. Danielle Zambrano reflected on their sense of seclusion at the Academy, saying, “All we saw when we went outside was the woods, so it’s surreal.”
Despite the Academy’s shutdown in 2009, similar organizations continue to operate across the country, causing survivors and supporters to advocate for institutional change to safeguard children from abuse behind closed doors.
Terry Marino, whose son Anthony attended the Academy and later committed himself, highlighted the need of preventing future tragedies: “This cannot be allowed to continue. I honestly feel if he hadn’t gone to Ivy Ridge, he would still be here.
Former students gathered from all around the country to attend the demonstration, motivated by a desire to help one another and push for change. Rocky Candola, who flew up from Los Angeles, described the survivors’ strong bond: “As soon as I hug one of my brothers and sisters guy, everything comes back. There’s no hatred here. “It’s love.”
Despite the hurdles ahead, the survivors remain steadfast in their quest to eradicate institutional child abuse and promise to continue their struggle for justice.
