Nonprofit expands support for domestic violence survivors with new advocacy center
By Taylor Thompson
Click here for updates on this story
HAYWOOD COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — As October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, REACH of Haywood County is beginning a new chapter in its mission to help survivors of domestic violence and abuse find safety, resources and a path forward.
The nonprofit is celebrating 40 years of serving the community with the opening of a new advocacy center, offering survivors a welcoming, confidential space to meet with advocates and explore their options.
“This is a huge leap forward for us. This is our home now,” said Kit Gruelle, a court and victim advocate with REACH.
Gruelle said the center is intended to be a place where people experiencing abuse can seek help without fear of judgment.
“Hopefully it will be the place in the community where people understand that families who are dealing with abuse of any kind can come in and get help,” she said.
A growing need for survivor services REACH serves more than 400 adults and children each year and provides approximately 2,000 nights of emergency shelter. The organization operates a 15-bed emergency shelter that is consistently full, underscoring the ongoing need for safe housing and access to services.
REACH works with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and elder abuse. Its services include advocacy, crisis support, safety planning and help navigating the court system.
Gruelle said the new center is designed to help survivors feel comfortable sharing their experiences and considering what steps they want to take next.
“When people walk in the door, we instantly want them to know and understand that we’re here to listen to them, we’re not here to judge them,” Gruelle said.
She added that REACH’s approach centers on listening to survivors and connecting them with resources that fit their individual circumstances.
“We believe that they’re the experts in what’s going on in their relationship and it’s our job to listen,” she said.
Leaving an abusive relationship can take time Gruelle said leaving an abusive relationship is not always a simple or immediate decision. For some survivors, the process can take months or even years, and leaving can sometimes increase the danger they face.
“Leaving an abuser is not an event; it’s a process,” she said. That is why advocates work alongside survivors rather than dictate what they should do, Gruelle said. They help identify potential warning signs, assess safety concerns and connect individuals and families with appropriate resources.
The support can also be important for survivors navigating the court system, which Gruelle said can be intimidating for people who have experienced trauma.
She emphasized that responsibility for abuse belongs to the person committing it — not the survivor.
A new chapter for REACH The transition to the new center happened within a matter of months. REACH acquired the building in April, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and moved into the space in October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
For Gruelle, the new space represents more than a physical improvement. It reflects the seriousness of abuse and the need for survivors to have a safe place to turn.
She hopes the center will also help the community better understand how supporting survivors can strengthen families and the broader region.
“When families are stable, it stabilizes the community,” Gruelle said.
As REACH looks ahead to its next 40 years, the organization plans to expand shelter, strengthen advocacy services and grow prevention programs.
Its message to survivors remains clear: They deserve to be heard, and help is available. Find more information on their website here.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.