CURWENSVILLE - Speculation about a possible halfway house or phone counseling center for sex offenders and ex-convicts rumored to be opening its doors at 160 Naulton Road has some Curwensville residents angered - but the property owner and officials say their concerns are unfounded.
In a legal notice posted in The Progress newspaper, a new nonprofit corporation, 70 x 7 Ministries, stated its intent to "provide spiritual, mental, emotional and physical support and resources" for individuals, headquartered at 160 Naulton Road.
But residents' concerns stem from the nonprofit's proposed location - the home of a registered sexually violent predator, Dennis Norwood Reedy.
In March 2010, Reedy was found guilty of corruption of minors and indecent assault, according to the Centre County District Attorney's Office.
The charges are in connection with two incidents in which police said Dennis Reedy, a former Tyrone pastor, groped a 13-year-old boy May 6 and propositioned a 16-year-old boy July 14 in a Nittany Mall restroom.
Speculation that Dennis Reedy intended to open a program similar to Just for Jesus Ministries in Brockway - a "homeless outreach ministry" for Megan's Law and other sexual offenders - was a concern for neighbors, area resident Jeannie Peoples said. Peoples, who operates a day care center along Naulton Road, expressed her concern about the corporation's proximity to the numerous families and daycare centers in the area.
But residents are speculating and worring about nothing, homeowner and 70 x 7 Ministries founder Yvonne Reedy said.
"Somebody is jumping to conclusions, and I'm not sure why," Yvonne Reedy, a licensed psychologist, said. "I did not expect this to get out of hand."
Yvonne Reedy, whose psychology practice is currently located in Philipsburg, counsels both children and adults. But to be more accessible to her patients from DuBois, Curwensille and surrounding communities, Yvonne Reedy said she plans to open a second office at 160 Naulton Road, pending site inspection.
"I would only be seeing adults at that site," Yvonne Reedy added.
But the 70 x 7 Ministries nonprofit corporation is a completely different venture from her psychology practice. The goal of the ministry will be to provide faith-based support for area residents who need additional assistance outside of Yvonne Reedy's normal practice.
"One of the things I've discovered and is very distressing to me is that there are a lot of people who fall through the cracks," Yvonne Reedy said. "When you see these things, you need to do something."
With the help of volunteers, Yvonne Reedy plans to help those in need find the right support services - and when needed, lend them a hand with food or other supplies. The nonprofit corporation will not provide shelter or counseling for violent or dangerous offenders, she said.
Although the incorporation paperwork was filed recently, Yvonne Reedy said there is no way her "dream project" of starting 70 x 7 Ministries will be completed before fall.
And despite rumors to the contrary, Dennis Reedy did not apply to start a shelter at the Naulton Road location and will have no involvement with 70 x 7 Ministries, Yvonne Reedy said.
The corporation will in no way be affiliated with Just for Jesus Ministries, officials from both corporations confirmed.
Despite Yvonne Reedy's attempt to aid others, Curwensville residents expressed concern when the ad was placed in the paper and the address was associated with a convicted sexual predator.
Speculation that the company was connected to Dennis Reedy had some residents concerned, and reports spread to Facebook and message boards about the new corporation's address.
That speculation was largely unfounded, officials said.
"People are trying to get ahead of the ball game," Curwensville Police Chief David Johnston said. "People are worried about something like [Just for Jesus] taking place here. All I can tell, [70 x 7 Ministries] filed an application for nonprofit status."
Clearfield County Commissioner John Sobel, who is listed as an owner of 70 x 7 Ministries according to documents from the Pennsylvania Department of State, helped Yvonne Reedy file the incorporation paperwork. Sobel said he has no financial interest in the company and only helped Yvonne Reedy file the necessary paperwork to open the satellite office and the ministry at the Curwensville location.
Despite the intent of 70 x 7 Ministries, multiple families and residents said they still plan to attend the Borough Council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday to express their concerns and learn more about the corporation, Peoples said.
"We're still going to go just to make sure we know what's going on," she said. "No one informed [residents] what they were doing, people just assumed. It was an assumption on everyone's part."
Dennis Reedy, who has lived at the two-story house on Naulton Road since July 2011, has fulfilled all of the legal requirements, including routinely answering to a parole officer and continued court-ordered counseling, Yvonne Reedy said.
While the Reedys are separated, Dennis Reedy will continue to rent a one-bedroom apartment at the Naulton Road residence.
And when her clients ask, Yvonne Reedy said she never lies about their past or her plans for the future.
"We have nothing to hide," Yvonne Reedy said. "Everyone just watch and see - what you're fearing isn't going to happen."
Mirror Staff Writer Zach Geiger is at 946-7535.
