A Familiar Idea, Renewed for Today
R.E.A.C.H.—Real Educational Answers for Community Hope is an old idea brought to life as a new nonprofit organization. For years, residents of Luzerne County imagined a place where education, counseling, and practical support could operate side by side. Neighbors spoke about the same vision in schools, churches, and community centers: a welcoming hub where people could learn new skills, receive mental health support, and find the resources needed to rebuild their lives.
That long-standing idea is no longer just a conversation. Today it stands as R.E.A.C.H., a formally organized nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through education, recovery, and hope. We are new in structure but seasoned in purpose, carrying forward the community’s belief that real change requires sustained investment in people, knowledge, and dignity.
Why We Exist
The needs in Luzerne County are clear. Addiction, untreated mental health concerns, and limited access to education create barriers that no single program can solve in isolation. Families facing substance use disorder often struggle simultaneously with unemployment, housing insecurity, and food shortages. Students who leave school early frequently carry unaddressed trauma or anxiety that blocks re-entry into education or work. Traditional systems address issues separately, leaving residents to navigate a maze of agencies on their own.
R.E.A.C.H. responds with an integrated model. We bring education, counseling, and community support together under one roof so individuals receive the right combination of services without delays or confusion. The idea is simple: meet people where they are, address the whole person, and create a clear path toward stability and independence.
A Mission Focused on Action
As a newly incorporated nonprofit, R.E.A.C.H. begins with a mission grounded in measurable commitments. Our work is about delivering results now and in the years ahead. Everything we do flows from a single promise: to provide real educational answers that create hope and opportunity for every resident of Luzerne County.
Our Core Commitments
1) Immediate Help for Anyone in Crisis
We ensure 24/7 crisis access via the Luzerne County Crisis Line (570-829-1341) and the National 988 Lifeline. Goal: expand mobile crisis coverage to 30-minute response county-wide. We distribute naloxone and provide overdose-prevention training.
2) Education Without Barriers
Double GED and adult literacy enrollment within five years through flexible schedules and hybrid/online options reaching rural townships. Add new career-track certifications annually in healthcare, technology, and trades aligned to employer demand.
3) Expanded Mental Health and Recovery
Increase outpatient counseling capacity 25% in three years. Build a peer-mentor network sufficient for all who request it. Secure additional inpatient partnerships to reduce wait times.
4) Support for Youth and Families
Launch a Youth Leadership Academy serving 100+ youth annually. Provide free after-school tutoring and mental-health workshops in every major district. Offer parent education in trauma-informed care and positive discipline.
5) Broader Community Outreach
Expand seasonal clothes drives by 50%. Host quarterly county-wide resource fairs with 20+ partners. Build a multilingual outreach team to engage immigrant and refugee residents.
6) Data-Driven Impact
Implement a unified data platform to track outcomes across education, mental health, and employment. Publish annual Impact Dashboards for public accountability and rapid iteration.
7) Lasting Partnerships
Formalize referral networks with hospitals and providers. Co-host annual hiring fairs with regional employers to create pipelines for graduates. Expand public awareness with advocacy groups to reduce stigma.
8) Financial Stability
Diversify revenue so no single source exceeds 25% of budget. Establish an endowment to safeguard essential services. Increase recurring donors by 20% annually for five years.
9) Equity and Accessibility
Provide bilingual/multilingual intake at all entry points by next year. Guarantee ADA-compliant facilities and digital resources. Train 100% of staff annually in DEI practices.
A Living Vision
These commitments will grow as Luzerne County grows. We will listen to residents, monitor data, and adapt to new industries, changing demographics, or public health crises. Our promise: stay flexible, transparent, and accountable while never losing sight of our mission to provide real educational answers and lasting hope.
Your Role in the Story
- Volunteer: Tutor, mentor, help at events, or serve as a peer supporter.
- Partner: Co-host resource fairs, offer internships, and build referral networks.
- Donate: Sustain essential services and fund new initiatives.
- Advocate: Share R.E.A.C.H. programs and encourage others to get involved. See News / Blog / Updates.
Every hour and every dollar strengthens the foundation for these goals.
Looking Ahead
Our name—Real Educational Answers for Community Hope—is both description and declaration. We are an old idea reborn for a new era, grounded in community wisdom and powered by a dedicated team. The work begins today and continues until every person in Luzerne County has access to the education, support, and opportunity to thrive.
Call to Action
This is our story, still being written. Join us in shaping the next chapters.