Our goal at REACH is to improve the health of our community by spreading awareness of issues, educating people about them, and taking action. With outREACH, we're prioritizing four main topics and providing insight on them periodically. In April we decided to introduce ourselves and explain why these topics are
relevant to our mission.
With the pandemic, more pertinent health concerns have taken priority from drug and alcohol issues. However, substance misuse still destroys users' lives and hurts their family members. REACH is focused on tackling this problem, especially for adolescents in middle and high school, where alcohol and drug use are very damaging. We primarily strive to create change in individuals who might be directly or indirectly dealing with the problems of substance misuse. Through programs and events focused on both education and action, we'll reduce substance misuse throughout Ridge and improve people's well-being.
90% of LGBTQ youth hear anti-LGBTQ comments in school and 84% report verbal harassment due to their sexuality or gender identity. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many statistics about LGBTQ youth and how bullying both at school and at home has affected their lives. REACH is working to help change that. We want to help people on the journey to discovering their true selves. We'll do so through raising awareness of the different people in the LGBTQ community and advocating for widespread acknowledgement of any youth's identity. We also gives helpful tips on telling friends and family about a person’s true self as it sometimes can be very difficult and scary to express these feelings to others. REACH is always here to educate and encourage people as they start and continue their journeys. Let’s work together to create a safer, better, and more tolerant world for everyone!
Currently, the global sea level average is 3.8 inches higher than it was 1993, the highest average sea level on record. It's essential that we stop and reverse the practices that have led us down the path of global warming to protect our future. Addressing global warming among other issues is both possible and necessary at the community level. At REACH, we're dedicated to environmental protection. Our aim is to educate others in our town about environmental topics including, climate change, recycling, and more! We hope to address global environmental issues at the local level and create meaningful change for our town in the process.