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"The REACH board and I are very excited that Rose Hooper will be joining our campaign this year as co-chair. Her many years in the community and long-standing commitment to a violence-free Jackson County make her an ideal spokesperson for our campaign," Cohen also said.
REACH of Jackson County was founded in 1978 as a grassroots, all-volunteer organization in response to growing community awareness about the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence.
REACH, which stands for Resources, Education, Advocacy, Counseling and Housing, has been assisting persons in Jackson County harmed by domestic or sexual violence for some 23 years. REACH is recognized as a leading human service resource in the community, providing a comprehensive array of services, including a 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, New Choices (formerly the WIN program), REACH Thrift, Old Cars-New Beginnings and community education.
Cohen indicated that "more and more federal and state funding for programs like ours are drying up,' which makes local support from Caring Neighbors so important."
"Many of our programs could not continue with the current level of service without the generous support of the citizens of Jackson County and businesses like Carolina Cornerstone," Bockstahler added.
In 1996, the REACH board of directors agreed that while the services provided were significant and necessary, more was needed if families who are survivors of domestic violence are to make lasting changes. The board decided to pursue the development of transitional housing, a project that would provide residency in a structured system of multiple supports for up to two years enough time for new skills to be learned, practiced and integrated in a stable, productive lifestyle.
"In 1999, REACH had the good fortune to acquire 2.33 acres of land on which to build nine apartment units," Cohen said. "In March 2000 the board voted unanimously to proceed with the REACH Village project, estimated to cost $1.2 million to build."
Construction began Feb. 26 and phase one will be ready for occupancy in mid-October, according to Bochstahler. "In fact," she added, "we are currently taking applications from eligible individuals and families."
For more information about REACH and its many services, or to make a donation to the Caring Neighbors campaign, call 631-4488.
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Susan Kendall (center), president of Carolina Cornerstone, along with Logan Robertson (left) and Scott MacAlister (second from left), presented Renee Cohen (fourth from left), president of the REACH board of directors, and Jean Bockstahler, REACH executive director, with a $500 check to kick off REACH's Caring Neighbors fund-raising campaign. Carolina Cornerstone is the prime contractor on REACH's new transitional village located off Plum Street.