week of 7/31/02
 
 
 
  REACH hopes thrift store helps with funding
By Don Hendershot

REACH of Haywood County is a nonprofit organization that offers assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Started in 1982, REACH opened the REACH House in 1989. REACH is the only agency in the county that provides crisis intervention services to victims of violence.

Services include:

° 24-hour crisis hotline
° Emergency shelter, food, clothing, medicine and personal care
° Legal assistance program
° Referral system
° Counseling

All programs are offered to clients free of charge.

Hotline and executive office number 828.456.7898.


WITHIN REACH, a new resale shop operated by REACH of Haywood County, will celebrate its grand opening Aug. 3.

Store manager Dee Amick said there will be a summer merchandise sale and refreshments will be provided from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The name, WITHIN REACH, works on many levels, said Amick. It promotes REACH’s message that help, change and a better future are within reach for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It also lets customers know that great deals on used merchandise are within reach.

The objective of WITHIN REACH is to generate steady income for the Haywood County agency that help victims of domestic violence. That income will reduce REACH’s dependency on state and federal aid while allowing the agency to expand service to victims. REACH was awarded an $8,000 start-up grant for the store from the state’s Family Violence Prevention Program.

Amick attended a workshop in Durham created by Alice Coleman, the Family Violence Program Coordinator with the NC Department of Social Services. It is a program specifically designed for thrift shop startups.

Amick said the program focuses on a good business approach, creating an appealing floor plan, stocking good merchandise and providing good customer service. Amick said local retailers Alice Allman of High Country Furniture, Kaaren Stoner of Twigs and Leaves and Sylva’s REACH thrift store manager Norma McClure volunteered time to help with the layout of the store. According to Amick, managers of Haywood Christian Ministries also provided valuable support and mentoring.

WITHIN REACH is located on Hazelwood Avenue near First Citizens Bank.

“We are lucky to have a brand new store, designed from the beginning to be a thrift store,” Amick said.

The new 3,000-square-foot store was built on the site where the former Family Diner was located before it burned. Amick said REACH’s thrift store committee worked on the design. WITHIN REACH is designed to create its own niche and, hopefully, compliment the area’s five other nonprofit thrift shops.

Amick said victims of domestic violence cross all socio-economic lines.

“We wanted to create a store that would be attractive and appeal to all shoppers regardless of budget,” she said.

Another function of the store is to provide needed items to victims. According to Amick, a well-stocked store provides a greater selection of goods for REACH clients and gives them more control of their situation. The REACH board is in the process of creating a coupon or voucher system clients can use to acquire needed items. Merchandise includes clothing, household goods, appliances, decorative items and furniture. A boutique area will feature more high-end clothing.

WITHIN REACH needs numerous volunteers including, handymen, cashiers, merchandise sorters, merchandise display people and customer service representatives. Volunteers may apply at the store or by calling REACH’s administrative office at 828.456.7898. Amick said there is a great need for weekend volunteers. Working as a volunteer for WITHIN REACH provides a unique opportunity to further REACH’s cause without having to be directly involved with some of the more difficult issues surrounding domestic violence.

Amick said the grand opening would be a monster sale. “We have to get rid of our summer merchandise and get ready to display our fall selection.”