Deborah Heimel and Amarely Gutiérrez Oliver at REACH’s 2024 ‘Reach for the Stars’ fundraising gala. After nearly 20 years at REACH, our Associate Executive Director Deborah Heimel is moving on to continue the values-based work which has made her such an invaluable part of our ongoing mission to support domestic violence survivors. We’re sad to see her go, but we also know she’ll shine bright in…
*Written by Maggie Mieczkowski, former REACH intern and student at Hamilton College As I reflect on my time at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, I am struck by the profound impact it has had on me personally and professionally. When I first discovered REACH, I was moved by the stories of courageous women and resilient children facing unimaginable challenges. I remember questioning my own ability to help…
If someone in your life has been subjected to domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or intimate partner violence), it can be hard to figure out how best to support them. Do you keep your distance and give them space? Do you put in extra effort to stay close in case they don’t want to be alone? Do you try and ask them about their…
After reading the recent article in the Commonwealth Beacon calling for improvements to Massachusetts’ child protection system, I was reminded of the work that REACH advocates do every day, and of a situation I encountered several years ago that highlights what the article is talking about. ======================= At a previous job, I worked with a family that had limited English proficiency and were affected by domestic…
How your year-end gift makes a difference in countless ways. My name is Pam Jordan, and I am the Director of Community Advocacy at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your ongoing support. You make it possible for REACH to help survivors transition from that first, brave call to our hotline, through safety planning and sometimes a stay in a…
Lauren Nackel, Human Resources Manager, shares her thoughts and wisdom gained throughout ten years of service on behalf of domestic violence survivors at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. I recently celebrated my 10-year anniversary of working at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. As I reflect on what this means, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude that I’ve had the unique privilege to work not only in this vitally…
When I watched the news about U. S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy addressing loneliness, I felt disheartened because, as Director of Prevention Programs, I know our team is focused on building and sustaining healthy relationships and creating a sense of community. We combat loneliness and isolation every day. He has brought national attention to a very real public health crisis. Dr. Murthy’s new Surgeon General…
When REACH was founded in 1981, it began with the idea that domestic violence can happen anywhere because it is part of the fabric of our society – it can happen in the leafy suburbs as in the big city, at the end of the long driveway, as well as in the apartment next door. There are so many reasons that survivors access support. There are…
I’m so grateful that REACH’s board and leadership’s saw the promise of this unique benefit.
Since 1981, every year has presented REACH staff with new obstacles and also new reasons to celebrate.
