R.E.A.C.H.

Renew. Engage. Achieve. Connect. Heal.
Sometimes, despite our strength as women, we are unable to move in the directions we wish to in our lives. Trauma and the effects of experiences out of our control can interrupt our abilities to move freely within the world, often feeling overwhelmed, not knowing how to move forward in life and doubting that we have the power within ourselves to create the lives that we want.
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When we are feeling overwhelmed in this way, one of the most important actions we can take is to gather other women around us so that we can remind one another how courageous we are.

R.E.A.C.H. is a 20-week course created to foster this kind of community while supporting each woman in her own individual journey. Designed for low-income women, but open to all, R.E.A.C.H. offers classes covering multiple topics, fosters access to local resources in the community, and creates a safe space for women to come together while exploring their many potentials.

Here, it is your voice that we want to hear – your dream that we hope to amplify to the world.

The Six Pillars of R.E.A.C.H.

The R.E.A.C.H. curriculum combines taught skills, mentorship, a comprehensive interaction between body and nature, and access to a free professionally-led support group to create a holistic environment for growth, connection and self-exploration. For more information on the four pillars of the R.E.A.C.H. program, please explore the links below. 
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Target Population R.E.A.C.H. hopes to act as a resource for low-income women in Southern Berkshire County. Participants in the R.E.A.C.H. program may be referred from community agencies such as, Elizabeth Freeman Center, CHP, WIC, Brien Center, and Construct. Participants are also free to contact Sisters for Peace and the R.E.A.C.H. team themselves directly.

Why South County? The 2016 U.S. Census indicates that more than half of the towns that comprise Southern Berkshire county have a female poverty rate of 10% or greater; two of the four most populous towns in South County have rates of women living in poverty reaching nearly 20%. In Stockbridge 15.5% of women live in poverty, in Sheffield, 17.5% of women live in poverty, as well as 28.6% of children under the age of 5 years. In Great Barrington, 30.6% of children under the age of 5 years live in poverty, in Lenox, it’s 21.2% of children under the age of 5.

According to Berkshire United Way, the 3rd grade is a benchmark year for children that is predictive of future educational success, and, only 63% of South County 3rd graders are reading at a proficient level.
Addressing Barriers
Understanding that low-income women face obstacles in many areas of their lives, the R.E.A.C.H. program addresses some barriers that have been identified as possible impediments to participants’ ability to attend the R.E.A.C.H. workshops. The R.E.A.C.H. program offers:
  • free childcare
  • a healthy meal for each participant and their children
  • a $30 stipend for each participant at the end of each week to help offset any transportation expenses incurred

​Location 
​401 Stockbridge Rd. Great Barrington, MA 
Located on the bus route, this homey space is handicap accessible with a kitchen area, an accessible bathroom, two private consultation areas, and more than ample space for seminars, workshops, and self-care classes. Adjacent to the building is the fenced-in garden where participants and their children can work, play and learn.
Graduation Celebration​ At the completion of the 20-week course, we have a day of celebration to give special recognition to each participant. There is a celebratory gathering for participants, families, and friends where each participant receives a R.E.A.C.H. certificate to commemorate her completion of the course. ​​

Caroline's Story
I grew up in poverty and in a home full of violence and uncertainty. I became a mother when I was 15 years old and dropped out of high school. Being an uneducated, young mother, I was at high risk of living a life of poverty. For several years my daughter and I recieved government substudies including health care and food stamps.  I was completely overwhelmed with the day-to-day struggles of navigating my life and unable to problem solve.

Everything changed for me when a mentor stepped into my life. She believed in me and helped me in setting goals and strategizing ways to overcome the enormous obstacles before me. She showed me that the seemingly impossible steps I needed to take were absolutely possible and I could break down each obstacle, one by one, and create a strategy to face them head on.

This mentor helped me find a high school diploma prep course, which led to me taking and passing the test and receiving my high school diploma. She then encouraged me to take a course at the community college which led me to graduate with an Associates Degree. She then encouraged me to transfer to Clark University where I received my Bachelors Degree, Cum Laude.
 All the while she gave me guidance and helped me to overcome my fear and self doubt. Step by step I was able to put my life together. Without this mentor and her belief in me, I would not be who I am today. ​

I tell you this story because I know first hand what it is like to live in poverty. I am living proof that there is a way out and I believe that every woman can overcome and thrive when she has people who believe in her and are willing to invest in her.

​I designed the REACH Program to address the trauma and difficulties that women living in poverty face.
I know that when you are in survival mode... you are not dreaming. REACH is designed to move women out of survival and into DREAMING. Learning and embracing that their life matters and that they have the power within themselves to create the life that they want.