Let's build a future free from the shadows of abuse. Be part of the change Montgomery County needs.

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What we do

Legal Services

MCAP serves the most vulnerable, abused, neglected, and trafficked children with the help of trained volunteer attorneys. Our volunteer attorneys are the heart and soul of our work as they donate their time, resources, and expertise to help give a voice to a fragile, at-risk child. Universally, our MCAP volunteer attorneys emphasize that working with MCAP is the most important and impactful work of their careers.

Advocacy

We advocate for victims of child abuse, neglect, and trafficking with the goals of ensuring safety, justice, and a permanent, nurturing environment for each child. MCAP is active in facilitating and participating in initiatives so all children can live in safe and nurturing environments.

Education

Education is a critical component of MCAP’s mission. We help to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and educate members of the legal community, professionals, parents, various service providers, and the public about child abuse laws and resources available for families.

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Our story

MCAP was founded in 2004 with a simple yet powerful mission: to end and prevent child abuse and neglect in Montgomery County through legal services, advocacy, and education.

The catalyst for MCAP was an eight-year-old girl who had to testify on the stand about the sexual abuse she suffered from her mother’s boyfriend. Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy and Judge Risa Vetri Ferman, both prosecutors at the time, were in the courtroom and saw this young girl complete her testimony. She then walked bravely past her abuser, her unsupportive mother, and a courtroom packed with strangers to take her seat all alone. After years of witnessing this scenario over and over again, our pioneers decided that this would be the last time. Along with the help of Marc R. Steinberg, Esq., they were able to get the support of the Montgomery Bar Association and the Court of Common Pleas to incorporate as a nonprofit and MCAP was born. Committed to MCAP, Marc was the first MCAP child advocate and President of the MCAP Board of Trustees.

Since our founding in 2004, MCAP child advocates have provided free legal services to more than 9,000 children in approximately 6,400 cases. While we strive to end child abuse through education and advocacy, sadly we know our work will continue, especially in light of the opioid crisis, mental health challenges, and housing and food insecurities for families.

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The Team

Chief Executive Officer

Mary C. Pugh, Esq.

As MCAP’s Chief Executive Officer, Mary oversees our daily operations, promotes our work in the legal and child welfare realms locally and nationally, and expands our efforts in education and advocacy. She also represents children as an MCAP. Prior to her work with MCAP, Mary was a trial attorney concentrating in medical malpractice, defending healthcare providers and hospitals. As an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), Ms. Pugh is a Zone 9 delegate, the co-chairperson to the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee, served as the chairperson of the Child Advocate of the Children’s Rights Committee. A member since 1989, Mary is the current President of the Montgomery Bar Association (MBA) and serves as the chairperson of the Child Advocacy Committee, member of the Outreach Committee, and a past member of the Membership Committee. She is also a fellow of the MBA Bar Foundation. For her service with MCAP, has been recognized with several awards: the Pennsylvania Bar Association Everyday Leader Award in 2006; the American Bar Association General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division 2007 Difference Makers Award; the Special Recognition Award of the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 2009; the Milton O. Moss Award from the MBA in 2010; and a PLAN (PA Legal Aid Network) Excellence Award in 2018. Mary is a member of the Youth Aid Panel of Montgomery County, the Children’s Roundtable and the former Chairperson of the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth Citizens Advisory Committee. Mary graduated summa cum laude from Rosemont College. She received the Genevieve Blatt Award and Esther Sylvester Law School scholarship to Villanova Law School where she served as a member of the Law Review from 1985-1986. Mary lives in Montgomery County and is married to William Pugh V, and has four daughters and three granddaughters.

Deputy Executive Director

Mary Anders

Mary Anders is the Deputy Executive Director of MCAP. For the past 7 years, Mary worked for Cabrini University in Radnor, Pennsylvania, as the Public Safety Investigator and Education Officer. She investigated any reported crimes on campus and handled all aspects of Title IX cases. She also provided mandatory training to students, faculty, and staff for Sexual Assault Awareness and Bystander Intervention. She is also a certified Rape Aggression Defense, RAD, Instructor. Prior to working at Cabrini University, Mary spent 26 years in the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, 22 of those as a County Detective where she primarily worked on crimes against children. She was cross sworn as a Federal Agent with Homeland Security Investigations, Child Exploitation Unit, Philadelphia Field Office, and was the lead investigator for the Montgomery County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Mary was certified by the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas as an Expert in Child Abuse Investigations. Mary lives in Montgomery County with her three children and enjoys working out at the gym, biking, and spending time at the beach on Long Beach Island, NJ.

Staff Attorney

Sharon Jones Hofer, Esq.

Sharon began volunteering as an MCAP in 2008, and joined the staff as Senior Staff Attorney in early 2018. In her new role, Sharon represents child victims of abuse, neglect and trafficking, manages and provides support for our volunteer MCAPs, and supports the Executive Director in education and advocacy activities. Prior to MCAP, Sharon was Director of Operations for the Associated Builders & Contractors, New Jersey Chapter. Sharon began her career as a contract attorney and then spent time working in consumer advocacy, insurance coverage and defense, and land use /zoning. Sharon has been an active member of the Montgomery Bar Association since 2005. In 2017, she served as co-chair of the Juvenile Rules Committee. She currently serves as co-chair of the Children and the Law Committee. She is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of PA; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Ms. Hofer is a co-founder and the first president of the Montgomery County Paralegal Association. She serves on the Board of Directors, and holds the office of Secretary, for Advanced Living Management & Development, Inc., which provides affordable housing and services for elderly and disabled individuals while they are aging in place, as well as others in need of transitional housing. Sharon lives in Lansdale with her husband and their dog.

Staff Attorney

Angie Polizzi, Esq.

Angie began volunteering for MCAP in 2014 and joined the staff in September 2021. Her practice at MCAP focuses on dependency proceedings, protecting children’s rights in criminal cases, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) cases. Prior to MCAP, Angie practiced in insurance defense and later served as staff attorney for the ACLU of Arizona. She then moved to Pennsylvania where she practiced in professional liability defense, including medical malpractice defense. She attended Creighton University School of Law where she served as a member of the Law Review from 1994-1996, and on the Board of Editors from 1995-1996. She is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Angie lives in Devon with her husband, three children, and their dog, cat, hamster, hermit crabs, and other small animals that her children bring home.

Staff Attorney

Chastity Bruno, Esq.

After many years in private practice, Chastity brings her years of experience in and out of the courtroom to MCAP and the children we serve. As a diligent staff attorney, Chastity focuses on Protection from Abuse (PFA) matters, protecting children’s rights in criminal cases and dependency proceedings. Prior to joining MCAP, Chastity was a Partner with Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP in the labor and employment department where she specialized in representing clients regarding Title VII claims (discrimination) and Title IX claims. Chastity graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 1998 and the Philadelphia Institute of Paralegal Studies in 1993. She is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and New York State. Chastity lives in Lower Gwynedd with her husband and three children.

Staff Attorney

Alex Felt, Esq.

Alex joined MCAP in August of 2023 as a staff attorney. In his role, Alex focuses on dependency proceedings, protecting children’s rights in criminal cases, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) cases. Prior to MCAP, he was a law clerk to the Honorable Daniel J. Clifford where he spent time in Family Court and PFA Court. Alex’s experience as Judge Clifford’s law clerk was invaluable firsthand experience in trial preparation, advocacy, and motion practices. Alex graduated from Penn State Law School in 2022 and from Penn State University in 2018. During his studies, Alex achieved many academic achievements. He is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Alex currently lives in Philadelphia with his girlfriend.

Staff Attorney

Annette Long, J.D.

Annette joined MCAP on a part-time basis in December 2019 and served as the Compliance Coordinator while attending law school through the COVID pandemic. Annette completed the 2-yr. Accelerated Juris Doctorate program at the Drexel Thomas R. Kline School of Law. During her time in law school Annette served as President of Private Practice Law Society and was active with the Women in Law Society, the Family Law Society, Immigration Law Society, and the Latin American Law Student Association. Annette graduated from Kline in 2022 earning the Contract Drafting Award and multiple CALI awards. Prior to working at MCAP, Annette worked for various law firms and non-profits as a Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal in the fields of medical malpractice, criminal law, trusts and estates, and civil litigation. Annette served three terms as President of the Montgomery County Paralegal Association and was a Trustee for the Montgomery Bar Foundation, and has been a Fellow of the MBA Bar Foundation since serving as Trustee. Annette is fluent in Spanish and holds a deep affection for her Puerto Rican heritage. Annette’s focus is on being a voice to improve the Latino and Hispanic representation in the legal community, forging alliances to continue the wave of advocacy against inequality and injustice within the Latino community. She believes we all have a responsibility to serve our community, care for the less fortunate, eliminate biases, promote diversity, and improve our world through inclusion and equal opportunities for all people and cultures. Annette lives in Montgomery Township where she serves on the Board of Supervisors. She is the proud mother of three adult children who serve in public education and law enforcement.

Program Coordinator

Patricia Teaford

Pat became the Program Coordinator for MCAP in 2012, coordinating our volunteer efforts and interacting daily with our MCAPs to place them with children in need of our services. She also works closely with the entire MCAP team, tracking the children we serve, helping MCAPs get the help they need with cases, and assisting with fundraising and events. She lives in Conshohocken with her cat and enjoys time with her grandchildren.

Volunteer MCAP Enthusiast

Gail Rogers

Gail Rogers is a volunteer at MCAP assisting with the data management system and all the fundraising events. Gail graduated from Temple University, receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Her nursing career spanned more than 45 years and included working with medical/surgical patients. As a compassionate caregiver, Gail obtained an advanced certification in Cardiac Care allowing her to work in the Coronary Care Unit and then in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). Gail was honored to be Joe DiMaggio’s nurse and was excited when she received a signed baseball from him. Nursing led her to care for many people, she eventually expanded her nursing care to home health care in the Philadelphia and Reading areas. For about 20 years, she served as a Senior Manger of International Trials at Merck & Company. Gail oversaw clinical trials involving more than 5,000 patients. This work took Gail to many countries which entailed studying data trends, writing protocols, studying conclusions, and monitoring adverse events. During COVID, Gail retired from Merck and began volunteering at MCAP in 2021. Gail is instrumental in overseeing MCAP’s data management, fund-raising, and energizing the MCAP staff. Gail loves her work at MCAP saying “I really enjoy MCAP and being able to see first-hand the giving nature and dedication of the staff who provide legal representation to the most fragile children in their time of need.” Gail has been married to her wonderful husband for 47 years, has 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. Gail loves spending time with her family, the beach, and traveling to the Caribbean for vacations.

Our Mission

Montgomery Child Advocacy Project’s (MCAP) mission is to end and prevent child abuse and neglect in Montgomery County through legal services, advocacy, and education.

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What We Do

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What We Do

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Events

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What We Do

Our Team

Events

Get Involved

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