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KIDREACH celebrates its first anniversary
KIDREACH, the Children’s Counseling Center of REACH of Jackson County, is celebrating one year of service to children and families this month.
“Our mission statement, ‘Every child matters,’ is three small words that define our work well,” said director Judy LeRoy.
KIDREACH opened its doors a year ago because community members saw that support was needed to help children affected by domestic violence break the cycle of abuse, according to LeRoy.
Through the services of KIDREACH, from left, Madisyn Alberry , 6; Tyus Fayson, 7; Kelley Helums, 15; Hickory Raby, 6; Anthony King, 10; Briawnna Raby, 7; and Michael King, 15, have shown their commitment to postive change, according to director Judy LeRoy. (
KIDREACH provides counseling services for children ages 3 through 17. Clients are children who have experienced domestic violence, abuse or neglect.
“They are also children with all types of other counseling needs,” she said.
During the year, KID–REACH staff has worked with more than 60 families, providing individual and family counseling, crisis intervention and a commitment to working with other agencies.
These agencies include Department of Social Services, Juvenile Justice, AWAKE, the Family Resource Center, public schools, Western Carolina University’s psychology department and others.
“We are very proud of the relationships we are building with other groups that provide services for children,” LeRoy said.
In addition to LeRoy, the staff includes Jane Teasley, administrative assistant, who is a retired teacher; and Robin Sumner, who is a licensed counselor.
“Jane has an excellent rapport with children and their parents, and Robin works with kids with great enthusiasm and caring,” said LeRoy, an LCSW who is committed to “letting every child know that they matter and are cared for.”
LeRoy said that together the staff “tries hard to provide a welcoming atmosphere and a place where real progress is made towards solving child–ren’s problems.
“We find great joy in all types of progress – from the 4-year-old who masters potty-training, to the teen who has worked so well on the relationship with their parent that we can end counseling after a few months, to the 9-year-old who makes small, but steady, weekly progress towards positive behaviors despite long-term sexual abuse, to the parents of three children who have learned not to focus the battle of their divorce on the kids,” said LeRoy.
“The work at KIDREACH is never easy, but it is always meaningful,” she said.
LeRoy said the staff is eager to respond to any child with need. Call KIDREACH at 631-4486.
KIDREACH is located at the REACH Village in Lovesfield at 32 Laser Drive.
“We are in the little gray house up the hill just off N.C. 107,” LeRoy said.
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