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In the spring of 1987, REACH of Jackson County was approached by community agencies in Macon County to provide services to victims in Macon County. "Macon outREACH" was established and on November 1, 1987, the first six volunteers were trained and a 24-hour crisis intervention service was established.
Although the early "outREACH" office served clients with support services, clients had to be transported to a shelter in Jackson County when homelessness due to violence threatened. This journey meant transporting clients across the mountains sometimes in terrible weather conditions, away from schools, jobs, and extended family and community support. On November 9, 1989, after two years of collaboration between the two counties, Macon County community leaders saw the need to initiate their own program. Founding board members include the sheriff, a school principal, health department director, newspaper publisher, radio station owner, a doctor, and our current director.
On January 31, 1990, REACH of Macon County received incorporation status. Clients were harbored in "safe houses" and in April 1990 we opened a temporary shelter and in September 1990, we moved into the current shelter.
In September of 1992, REACH opened a thrift shop to enhance the income of the agency. At first it operated out of a store on the Highlands Road and later moved to a location on Depot Street. The growth of the store required a larger facility. REACH purchased a lot in Heritage Hollow and with a bank loan built the current facility. This facility opened in December of 1996, and not only supports REACH clients, but all other residents of Macon County in need, who are referred by other agencies.
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