The ALLY Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization based in Boston

Boston

Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...

, Massachusetts

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

 whose mission is to prevent opportunities for violent sex offenses, to educate the public and advocate necessary changes in culture, attitude and policy.

Through its research, The ALLY Foundation has determined that only by creating a dynamic national infrastructure, implementing evidence-based practices nationally, and informing federal, state and local legislation, can repeat sex offenses be significantly reduced. The ALLY Foundation’s methodology parallels medical research: its objective is prevention and its mission is research and awareness.

The ALLY Foundation will serve as a consistent resource on one of the most contentious and contested areas of public safety, and provide a national voice so that everyone will have the tools to increase their communities safety.

The ALLY Foundation was founded in December 2002 by Andrea Casanova and Steven Stiles in memory of their murdered daughter and step daughter, Alexandra Zapp

Alexandra Zapp

Alexandra Nicole Zapp was murdered in the women’s room of a Burger King rest stop in Bridgewater, Massachusetts on July 18, 2002. Section 121 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act is named the “Megan Nicole Kanka and Alexandra Nicole Zapp Community Notification Program” after her...

 (“Ally”). Ally was murdered July 18, 2002 by convicted sex offender

Sex offender

A sex offender is a person who has committed a sex crime. What constitutes a sex crime differs by culture and by legal jurisdiction. Most jurisdictions compile their laws into sections such as traffic, assault, sexual, etc. The majority of convicted sex offenders have convictions for crimes of a...

, Paul Leahy, when she stopped to use a fast food restroom on her drive home to Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...

.

The Foundation is also known for its successful Flip Flop Regatta…Sail for a Change, a large sailing regatta that takes place annually outside of Boston Harbor

Boston Harbor

Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...

, founded by R. Gregg Nourjian, Kelly Bresnahan, Tom Zauli and Alec Stern. The 8th Annual Flip Flop Regatta just occurred on August 13 and 14, 2010 and raised over $100,000 for The ALLY Foundation.