|
R.E.A.Ch. (Recovery For
Emotionally Abused Children) is a 501c3
charity that raises funds to support treatment at
SPC. Donations to R.E.A.Ch. are tax deductible to
the extent allowed by law.
-Let children of our community be our
future-
Unfortunately, not all children are lovingly
embraced. Tragically one out of every three children
suffer severe and prolonged physical emotional or
sexual abuse by age eighteen. Many others are
victims of violent crimes.
These children, their trust and innocence
violated, begin their lives overwhelmed with fear,
anger, and depression. Many will turn to drugs and
alcohol, others to violence - often as members of
street gangs. Still others will become another
statistic in the second leading cause of death among
our teenagers - suicide!
However, there is hope for these
children. There is R.E.A.Ch. - Recovery for
Emotionally Abused Children. R.E.A.Ch. sponsors
treatment for these children through comprehensive
community - based treatment programs at San Joaquin
Psychotherapy Center. These programs provide over
one half million dollars in service annually to the
children and families of our community. R.E.A.Ch. is
a non-profit, charitable (50IC3) organization. Since
1992 R.E.A.Ch. has helped to fill the gap between
the minimal services provided by insurance and/or
public assistance and the care actually needed for
these children. R.EACH. enables abused children and
adults abused as children the opportunity to heal
their wounds and begin to live again as physically,
emotionally, and spiritually complete human beings.
You Can Help. R.E.A.Ch. sponsors
a variety of fund raising activities and community
awareness programs throughout the year. Volunteers
for these events, as well as for day to day
fund-raising and operations, are always welcome. If
you would like more information about our activities
or would like to become more involved with R.EACH,
please contact us at: R.E.A.Ch. 1065 N.
Fulton, Fresno, CA 93728 (559) 266-5200
HOPE is within R.E.A.Ch.
R.E.A.Ch. Provides Human
Touch
By: Allert Butnett Published June 17, 1993
Northeast Neighbors
Neighbors, children who have been
abused or adults who have been abused as children
are sometimes perceived as being different than the
rest of society. But that perception is far from
correct according to Kevin McCready, executive
director of the R.E.A.Ch. program. "I think a lot of
people have the wrong message," said McCready. "They
think that people with mental problems, which is an
term I do not like, are different, damage, diseased,
inferior and dangerous, and they are not."
McCready founded R.E.A.Ch. which stands for Recovery
for Emotionally Abused Children, six months ago
(this is an old article) to help children and adults
who have suffered from abuse get back into the
mainstream of society.
R.E.A.Ch. is a non-profit, charitable foundation
sponsored by San Joaquin Psychotherapy Center, which
is located Northeast Fresno in the Willow
Professional Center. McCready, the clinical director
at SJPC, said the program's philosophy is healing
through human endeavor.
"What that means is that these people are suffering
and their humanity has been violated," McCready
said. "We want to help them heal and help them
regain their humanity. "We do that by using the
things that make us human. And those things are
community, play, arts, music....all the things you
find in a community."
Those who go to R.E.A.Ch. for help are from 5 years
of age and older. They come from all walks of
society, and they have all been victims of some kind
of abuse during their lives. McCready said
statistics show that one out of three children will
be victims of abuse by the time they reach their
18th birthday. He said the second leading cause of
death in teen-agers is suicide, which usually stems
from some type of abuse.
"There is an epidemic of abuse," he said. "it's
usually a combination of physical, emotional, verbal
and sexual abuse. Ultimately, the impact of the
abuse is what's far more important. "Not that it's
OK to physically injure a child, but at least those
physical injuries can heal. The emotional impact of
those physical injuries get carried in the form of
people's identities and sense of self.
R.E.A.Ch. has various treatment programs depending
on the individual's needs. There is an outpatient
program, which includes assessments and
consultations. For those who are interested in
getting more comprehensive and intensive treatment,
a full-day program (five hours a day, five times a
week) is offered.
Each room in the office serves a different purpose.
There are areas for testing and sessions, a
children's room with various toys, and a quiet room
where patients can settle their nerves. There is
even a room with one wall that is used to let
patients express their behavior with paint. "Lately
I have been getting a lot of graffiti on it,"
McCready said. "that can be obnoxious, but it's a
more civilized expression and identity than some of
the things we've had painted on the wall."
The quiet room is never locked, and staff members
stay in the room with each person who is getting
treatment. "We don't want anyone to feel abandoned,"
McCready said. "We don't encourage the use of
prescription drugs (for "treatment"); we don't use
restraining devices; we don't lock up people or take
them out of the community. In fact, here we are
parked in a business park.
"If you create an atmosphere of respect and dignity,
that's what you've got." To create awareness of the
R.E.A.Ch. program, several fundraising activities
have been held. An art exhibit, with the theme
"Healing Through Human Endeavor," is being presented
at Barnes & Noble Bookstore through June 30. For
more information on R.E.A.Ch. call (559) 266-5200.
Reach is a Non-Profit
organization and desperately needs your support.
Please Send your tax deductible contribution to:
1065 N. Fulton, Fresno, CA 93728
Voice: (559) 266-5200; Fax: (559)
266-5201
mdpphd@comcast.net |
