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Essential workers are all around, yet often times we do not see them. This week’s spotlight shines on the staff at REACH of Clay County. Their faces may not all be known to the community, but the positive impact they make is far-reaching and long term to many women and their families.
Because of the nature of their work, their photos are not being shown; however, their roles are critical to keep REACH going 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Judith Alvarado began working as program coordinator at REACH in 1999. When the private organization obtained 501c3 status in 2003, she became the REACH executive director, the position she still holds today.
REACH of Clay County provides emergency services to anyone who has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or elder abuse. For more than two decades, REACH has brought programs to thousands of women, children and men which allow them a chance to rebuild their lives.
“REACH’s mission is to help break the cycle of family violence,” Alvarado explained. “Aside from emergency shelter, we also offer advocacy, intervention, supportive services and training education for the community.”
Alvarado has many roles and her passion for what she does is evident when she speaks about REACH.
“I manage and supervise all aspects of the organization and the thrift store,” she said. “I work with the board of directors to develop the budget and apply, manage and submit grant reports and other data to funding sources. I am responsible for the supervision of all case management services.”
The many faceted role of court/legal advocate for REACH keeps April Lowe at the courthouse much of the time.
“I assist clients in obtaining Domestic Violence Protection Orders, obtaining legal representation through N.C. Legal Aid as well as setting up civil standbys to safely obtain property through Clay County Sheriff’s Office,” Lowe said. “I will accompany clients to court on both civil and criminal matters so they have someone who understands, ‘interpret’ if you will. Sometimes, our clients just need someone to say, ‘Hey, I know this is scary, this is hard, it’s one of the scariest, hardest things you may every face, but you’re not alone here. You can do this.’”
Lowe also makes a safety plan with clients.
“This is a big deal, no matter if the clients have taken out an order, staying in shelter or are just coming in seeking supportive services,” she explained. “Often times, they don’t even know what a safety plan is. Just working one out with them, gives them knowledge that can keep them safe and give them a little piece of mind.”
Lowe, who joined the staff in March 2012, is usually the main contact between community partners like officers, social workers, attorneys and school staff.
“I work with them, back and forth with our clients,” she said. “This gives our clients an extra support person. Believe it or not, that can make a huge difference in someone deciding to follow through with keeping themselves and their family safe or going back and continuing to live a life of fear and abuse.”
In addition, Lowe provides training for small groups like churches, schools and businesses. These trainings are usually geared to youth about bullying, safe dating and healthy relationships.
“I also provide trainings in Human Trafficking awareness, and assist with safety and self-defense classes, which are taught by our executive director,” she said.
Lowe shared why REACH is important to the community.
“Domestic violence and sexual assault are a huge problem in our area, whether people in the community acknowledge it or not,” Lowe said. “It doesn’t affect any certain type, as is stigmatized. It affects everyone, without boundaries of education, finances, upbringing, religion. When someone becomes a victim of violence, they need someone in their corner, someone to be with them who understands the why’s and how’s, someone who can let them cry, be angry, not judge them for being afraid, sad or angry. They need someone to be honest to a fault, to support them, guide them, helping them understand all of the legalities, help them to stay safe, and who will do all they can to do these things. They need someone who will stand beside them, saying, ‘I am here with you, for you and I am not afraid. I am here to be your voice, your strength, until you find it again. What happened to you is not okay, it is not acceptable to me, even though society turns its head, our communities turn their heads, I will not turn mine and ignore what happened.’”
Lowe said victims often have no one. “Literally, isolated until there is no support or their support systems place so much judgement, because they don’t understand themselves or just don’t want to be involved,” she said. “These people just need someone to say, ‘I’ve got you’. When these people need someone, that someone is our staff here at REACH.”
That staff includes Faye Hughes, Annie Knight and Sarah Martin. Hughes joined REACH 13 years ago and serves as the night shelter manager, but her role is two-fold.
“I supervise the clients in the shelter and I handle the crisis line,” Hughes said. “It is important to have a safe place for women and children who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. It is so much more than just a DV/SA shelter. REACH has helped a lot of people in this community in many different ways. There is always someone to talk to and willing to help.”
Martin agreed. She started working at REACH almost five years ago as the weekend shelter manager and is now a sexual assault advocate.
“I assist survivors of the legal and emotional process in the aftermath of a sexual assault. At times, I am called to the hospital to assist and give emotional support to the survivor and family members,” she said. “I educate the community in how to prevent assault and to raise young adults on how to encourage a change in behavioral habits that have affected the community. Encouraging the community to learn what types of harassment and how it affects others.”
She also does outreach programs, helps with intake and prevention of human trafficking, prepares grant reports and other needed paperwork. “By helping survivors to rebuild their life, we help to stabilize their situation,” Martin said. “If children are in the home, we can help create a stable environment so children can flourish and change the patterns of domestic violence.”
Annie Knight only joined three months ago, but her role as victim assistant and extended services is no less important.
“I assist clients with a variety of needs,” Knight said. She assists with access to job counseling, job training referrals, budgeting assistance, health and wellness education services and education assistance services.
“With so much uncertainty in the world right now, we want our community to know that we're open and here to help,” Knight said. “In addition to providing a safe space for people who have experience sexual assault and intimate partner violence, we are able to provide counseling referrals and access to helpful community resources.”
Lowe added, “We want the community to know we are here, we care and each and every one of us who work here do so because we have walked through our own journey and have each been affected by violence. We have used our own experiences to empower and protect others. We have been victims, we are survivors and now we are thrivers. We are here to do our best to help. That being said, we can only do so much, we need our communities to acknowledge and support us. I’m not talking about financial support, even though those donations do help us; but support is showing up when we have a candlelight vigil planned. Get involved. Ask us to come into your groups and educate. Knowledge is power. By doing so, this could literally help prevent an abuse, rape or abduction.”
Lowe thanked those who shop at the thrift store, along with faith-based communities and others who support REACH.
“All of this helps us and directly helps victims of violence,” she said. Lowe also thanked those who she said make their jobs at REACH possible. “Those essential workers over at the sheriff’s office, those guys and gals are amazing, doing their best to help our staff,” she said. “They work as a team, for our community and often don’t get the recognition they deserve.” She said the courthouse clerks and magistrates also “go above and beyond” with support and assistance. “I know it’s their job, but they have a heart and compassion, that’s what makes it different, better,” she said. “That’s how we all make a difference, one life at a time.”
Each of the staff encouraged people to remember other services like the REACH 24-hour crisis line, outreach services, court advocacy, education, a thrift store and more.
“REACH Is important to the community because family violence tears at the very fabric of a community by dismantling family units and causing a ripple effect of repercussions that are felt for many years," said Alvarado. "Studies show that living with family violence can cause physical and emotional harm to children as well in the following ways; ongoing anxiety, depression, emotional distress, eating and sleeping disorders.”
Martin summed up all their feelings, “We are like a family here at REACH and everyone here pours our heart and soul into every client we come in contact with. We get to plant seeds into everyone we work with. At times, it breaks our hearts to see those who have made the wrong choices. We have cried, laughed with clients and seen many success stories. At times, we take one minute at a time and small steps. I truly love my job and the people I work with.”
Call REACH at 389-0797.