Category: How We Do Our Work

Elder Project Update

A while ago, we told you about REACH’s federally-funded effort to protect vulnerable elders from abuse by bringing together community partners and improving communication. Here’s an update on how things have been going since then:

What Laura is Thinking: On Grieving

REACH is so fortunate to have dedicated volunteers, donors, collaborators and friends who care deeply about the organization and this work. This connection to mission connects us in other ways. We have shared our personal celebrations and challenges over the years, as we are joined in the effort to build healthy communities by ending domestic violence. During my treatment for breast cancer last year, I shared…

2015: The Year in Review

As 2015 began, New England was experiencing one of the snowiest winters in history! As record amounts of snow blanketed the region, work continued largely as usual here at REACH. Staff members hunkered down and got snowed in at the shelter alongside survivors, and the hotline continued to ring and be answered. In March, as the end of winter was in sight, it was time for…

What Laura is Thinking

I was listening to the radio this morning. It was a story about using virtual technology to enhance learning and business – better than Skype or GotoMeeting – this would actually make it feel like you are there. I agree that this would save time and money and probably reduce the environmental impact of travelling to business meetings. And it is probably better than the conference…

From Supportive Friendships to Transforming Community: We All Have a Role

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month draws to a close, we want to encourage you to think about what comes next. Over the past few months there has been a lot of discussion and dialogue about intimate partner violence, due to recent passed legislation here in Massachusetts and high profile cases that left us asking tough questions like, “Why does someone stay in abusive relationship?” and “How…

Why The Full Frame Initiative Supports the Work of REACH

The Full Frame Initiative (FFI) is a national nonprofit organization that works to break cycles of poverty and violence through systems change. FFI believes lasting change occurs when people are supported in the full frame of their lives – meaning people are dealing with complex problems and need multi-faceted support.  REACH has been working with FFI for over five years because we agree that domestic violence…

Behind the Scenes with the REACH Staff

This past spring, Dana Hall senior Lindsey Cohen had the unique opportunity to accompany some of REACH’s advocates to court as part of her senior project. Her journal about her experiences offers a glimpse of what life is like for our advocates and survivors as they navigate the court system… Day 1 Today I went into REACH for my first day, which, given the nature of…

The Power of Partnership

Building Effective Collaborations to Measure Empowerment of Domestic Violence Survivors How do you know that REACH is doing a good job? Or any other charitable organization? With so many worthy causes and hard-working organizations out there, how do you decide which ones are worthy of your attention, support, and time? This is a question we’ve been asking ourselves over the past several years. We can tell…

3 Resolutions for Healthier Communities in 2014

Maybe you’ve signed up for a new gym membership, cleaned out all the junk food from your cabinets and replaced it with healthy snacks, or have a 5-day streak going of setting your alarm and getting up earlier. Whether you’re quitting smoking or taking up yoga, the start of a new year is a great time to decide to make positive changes in our lives and…