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 association documents and forms; join discussion forums; utilize the member directory; and much more. Circle C Ranch, the Christian children's camp in western New York facingallegations that its director has inappropriately touched teenage girls, announced drastic changes to its summer plans this week. 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. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. Such stories cannot be rushed. When Andrew died in 1999, however, the new management at The Chapel became more expansionist and financially oriented, the suit argues. But Norris, who founded Ministry Safe says she has over three decades experience litigating child sexual abuse issues, and tells 7 Eyewitness News: Few of the women who came forward during the investigation knew other; the behavior complained of spanned DECADES. The Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:30pm at the Community Center. Especially about potency and trying to defeat erectile dysfunction. Circle C also takes aim at Ministry Safes Kimberlee Norris and her work claiming the accusers were led down a garden path.. Got a story tip or comment? If you are new to the Web site, be sure to complete the Sign Up information to receive a password to the private and secured portions of the site. The Circle C HOA Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30pm via ZOOM. The camp cited state restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the change. I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive," Aarum said in an email to USA TODAY Network reporters on April 28, 2021. Besides doing the cooking, she became the office manager, the accountant, head of the medical dept, and a mother to their 2 sons, Wes & Wayne. 1172 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<68B4082DB4D6FC4383E0F28BC61E5849>]/Index[1154 26]/Info 1153 0 R/Length 94/Prev 389485/Root 1155 0 R/Size 1180/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Camps are also required to collect information about the vaccination status of each camper and staff member, and perform health screenings upon arrival. He said no one at the present and George said he would bring his crew up every weekend and do the job as a gift to the Lord. In her lawsuit, Snell accused Circle C Ranch and its parent organization, Living Waters Ministries, of negligently retaining Aarum on staff and thus allowing him unfettered and unsupervised access to minors on the campgrounds and during other activities, according to the court filing. 0 set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Those allegations outlined in a report from The Chapel and Ministry Safes Kimberlee Norris say the abuse happened during the 90s, during a time Aarum was involved with The Chapel and when the Chapel says it had partnered with Circle C Ranch. An email to Wayne Aurum, and a call to attorney's in Williamsville who are representing Aurum in the defamation lawsuit were not returned Monday. He wanted to give his last years to the Lord and became the head man of the construction of the town. It is independent of the Circle C Ranch Homeowners Association. 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. Aarum left his role at The Chapel in 2000. Shortly after her graduation they were married. Without a transmission line to transport the electricity generated by the windmills in an economically feasible fashion, the windmill projects economic value diminishes substantially, the lawsuit said. endstream endobj startxref In the interests of fairness, the two reporters pursued interviews with supporters of Aarum. The preschool and its programs are funded by tuition, fees and fundraising. The work poses many challenges. The Chapel recommended the camp to members of its congregation and contributed funds to help expand the camps facilities and enable the camp to operate on a basis that was affordable to campers from Christian church youth groups and families at all income levels," the suit continues. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 6:30pm, at the Community Center. In late 2019, allegations of abuse against Aarum began picking up momentum when Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer who worked there in 2006, shared her story with leadership at The Chapel. 3,611 were here. Like much of the world, they've been closely watching what's been unfolding in Afghanistan. After Bible School, University and Seminary Wes went full time into the Lords work. Aarum, whose late father, Wes Aarum Sr., founded Circle C Ranch in 1968, previously worked as a youth pastor at Buffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. They know Mr. Aarum personally, often for decades, and they know he would never intentionally harm anyone.. Prior to becoming director of Circle C Ranch, Aarum worked as a youth pastor atBuffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. Website Terms & Conditions | CCHOA Privacy Policy| Social Media Policy | Feedback, Copyright 2015 2022 Circle C Ranch HOA | Design by Austin Web Design.com, The Board of Directors meeting date and time is on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm. Wayne Aarum, a pastor and operator of theCircle C RanchChristian camp in Delevan, who has been accused ofinappropriately touchingat least 21 teenage girls in the past, is now suingThe Chapelmegachurch over what he says are manufactured allegations against him to gain control of the camps land. as part of a USA TODAY Network New York investigation, These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Pastor accused of abusing teens sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I found each of the women to be credible, one attorney who investigated the reports of abusetold our two reporters. Keller Williams Realty, Three Barton Skyway, 1221 S Mopac, Ste.120, Austin TX 78746 And at its best, local journalism reveals truths that leaders and institutions of importance would much prefer remain hidden. In investigative journalism, it's vital reporters show their efforts to confirm facts and to reach people. Homeowners are encourage to host their individual garage sales on 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. Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. I found each of the women to be credible; patterns of predatory behavior emerged and grew more egregious as time passed. When the camp went to pay Bob back he made it a gift to the ministry. 2023 www.democratandchronicle.com. At this age, he began to take care of his health. The conduct was at times private and at other times out in the open when other camp staffers would be able to witness it, according to Snells lawsuit. Aarum served at The Chapel, located in the suburb of Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. Earlier this week, Circle C Ranch staff members said the camp is open to house Afghan refugees arriving on U.S. soil after fleeing the Talibans takeover in the country, according to the story from WIVB in Buffalo. circlecranch.com under the "Resource" tab. The lawsuit stated that the Chapels leadership was aware of the increasing value of the property and embarked on a campaign to remove Aarum from the board of Living Waters Ministries Inc., to create a more favorable board of directors to control the Circle C Ranch Camp and the use and disposition of its land.. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. A spokesperson for The Chapel says it has absolutely no interest in acquiring Circle C Ranch., But the Circle C board says thats simply not true, and claims The Chapel has put forth a campaign to destroy Wayne Aarums reputation., Everything thats been presented to us is anonymous, said Dekalb about the accusations. Prior to 2020, when COVID-19 preventedthe camp from operating in the summer, Circle C Ranch would host grade and high school-agedchildren without their parents, according to former camp staff. A number of women former high school youth group members under Aarums leadership brought allegations of sexual and emotional abuse against Aarum from that time period earlier this year. Thank you for your support. 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. All rights reserved. Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. Aarum Sr. managed the camp's operations until his health failed in the fall of 2019. The CCHOA will host Circle C's Semi-Annual Garage Sale on Saturday, April 29th. 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. Wayne Aarum, a pastor and operator of the Circle C Ranch Christian camp in Delevan, who has been accused of inappropriately touching at least 21 teenage girls in the past, is now suing The Chapel megachurch over what he says are manufactured allegations against him to gain control of the camp's land. All rights reserved. Website Terms & Conditions | CCHOA Privacy Policy| Social Media Policy | Feedback, Copyright 2015 2022 Circle C Ranch HOA | Design by Austin Web Design.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. Weeks after a Delevan minister and local camp director Wayne Aarum was accused of sexual misconduct by 21 former campers and staffers, the Circle C camp director has not stepped down. Because of its unique history as part of the Circle C Ranch neighborhood, The Child . Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. Year Lots in the Association Lots paying full assessment . Reach him at mkilian@gannett.com. Kens wife Joann was an R.N and she worked in a local hospital to help support them while the camp was being built. Miracle after Miracle, God has provided for Circle C Ranch and as long as God continues to provide, we will continue to serve Him! You learn and grow so much by working and camping there. None agreed to interviews on the recordfor this story, and they didnot provide additional sources who would be willing to comment on the record.". Teenagers have also historically made up the majority of employees at the camp, working as counselors, in the kitchen or in maintenance roles throughout the summers. He never asked for a representative on the board of directors of the Living Waters Ministries Inc. 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. A friend of Ross & Wes was a man named Bob Lowe who was a very successful businessman. Simply select the past meetings minutes you wish to view or you can view the DRAFT minutes which will be approved at the next board meeting. To make a donation,click here. 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. While this is not the path we had ever hoped for, we simply refuse to allow this unjust activity to continue any longer for the sake of the camp, our families, and the lives of so many we pray are yet to be impacted for good by the ministry God birthed over 53 years ago in the heart of Mr. Wes.. In . . Return to homepage. She was saved as a teenager, went to Buffalo and became a Registered Nurse. Bob asked when he would pay it back? As a result of her abuse, Snell experienced mental and psychological effects, including fear and anxiety that have required professional treatment, the lawsuit alleges. I don't know, but one thing I am sure of is that Taddeo and Silvarole will be ready to write about it. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. Member will be given 3 minutes to address the board. He was born in Buffalo, NY into a godly family and at 17 years of age accepted Christ into his life. In an exclusive interview with 7 Eyewitness News last month, Aarum and board member Daryl Dekalb made that same suggestion while strongly denying the allegations against him. During his tenure at The Chapel, pastors spoke to Aarum multiple times about his conduct with girls in the youth group, according to excerpts from Aarums employee personnel file at The Chapel. Now there was a need for the total of $40,000 to get things moving. For thirty years, from 1968 to 1999, the close friendship between the Andrews family and the Aarum family was important for their organizations and their personal satisfaction with their work. 1179 0 obj <>stream 10614 Redmond Rd SOLD in 7 days! In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. Circle C Ranch's board of trustees said they did their own investigation. One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. Circle C Ranch opened in the late 1960s on a 315-acre wooded parcel in rural Cattaraugus County. ContactSarahat STADDEO@Gannett.com or (585) 258-2774. ", "The USA TODAY NETWORK asked for comment from five individuals whosupport the Ranch and the Aarums. Call Jaymes today for a Free Market Analysis! To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The owner of this property was George Peterson who was a board member of the Bible Conference Wes directed. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. It makes a difference to people of all backgrounds and life experiences. The details, the word choices and the extra effort to confirm facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly. 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. Through all this, Aarum remains as the Circle C camp president today. 2021 5622 5612 2022 5622 5612 Circle C Governing Documents All of the Circle C HOA's defining documents can be found on the HOA website at . The board of Circle Cs parent corporation, The Living Waters Ministries and people who are close to Aarum say he is innocent of the sexual harassment claims against him. To reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may know that they are born again. Main Office: 518-696-5676 Development Office: 518-696-5921. In the civil lawsuit filed on June 2, Aarum, 55, who leads the First Baptist Church of Arcade, and sits on the board of the Living Waters Ministries Inc., which runs the Christian camp, is seeking a collective $3.125 million in damages from The Chapel for "harm to reputation, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional injury," as well as financial damages.
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