More than a building: Legacy of healing continues during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, Haywood County is witnessing a powerful moment of continuity, collaboration and commitment to ending violence.
On April 27, REACH of Haywood County officially purchased the longtime home of KARE at 1159 North Main Street — a transition that reflects far more than a change in ownership. It is a passing of purpose, a shared mission and a promise that survivors of sexual violence will never be left behind.
For over 30 years, KARE has served as a beacon of hope for children and families navigating the trauma of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. As a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center, its work has focused on addressing sexual violence and harm against children — often in cases that are as complex as they are heartbreaking. Through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, KARE has ensured that young survivors receive compassionate care in a safe, child-centered environment.
REACH of Haywood County, now stepping into this space, continues that mission across the lifespan — supporting teens, adults and older adults who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse and human trafficking. Together, these two organizations represent a continuum of care in Haywood County, addressing some of the most difficult and often hidden forms of violence that occur behind closed doors.
“This moment is incredibly meaningful,” said Sara Vogel, executive director of REACH of Haywood County. “During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we talk so much about prevention, support and community responsibility. This building represents all of those things. The walls here have held unimaginable pain, but they have also witnessed resilience, courage and healing. We are honored to carry that legacy forward.”
The house has a legacy of care that REACH aims to continue in the decades to come, and its story began when the Robert Forga family generously provided a space for KARE House to call home. The Forga family’s vision was simple yet profound: to create a welcoming, comforting space where children could feel safe during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Inside, books, toys, snacks and drinks offered a sense of normalcy while families navigated intake processes and next steps. Now that KARE House has outgrown its space, it has moved its services to 465 Boyd Ave., in the community just below Waynesville Middle School.
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The home provides a kind of philanthropy that feels distinctly rooted in Haywood County — creative, personal and deeply invested in the wellbeing of neighbors.
“For decades, this house has served Haywood County children and families as a place of healing and safety,” said Abby Bearden, chief operations officer of KARE. “It has provided a safe, welcoming environment where survivors of child abuse could share their stories — feeling seen, heard and believed — while experiencing the comfort of a warm home, rather than a more formal setting like a police station or medical office. Knowing it will continue to serve survivors, even as it enters a new chapter, means everything to us.”
That sense of continuity is not lost on those helping facilitate the transition. Pamela Penny Williams, co-founder of Gateway Realty Group and the one overseeing the sale, describes the process as one of the most meaningful transactions of her career.
“You don’t often get to be part of something like this,” Williams said. “This isn’t just a property — it’s a place with history, with purpose, with heart. Seeing it remain in the hands of an organization committed to healing and safety is incredibly special.”
For REACH, the purchase comes at a pivotal time. As the organization celebrates 40 years of service, it is also expanding its vision for the future — one that includes increasing access to services, strengthening partnership, and ensuring that survivors have spaces that reflect dignity and care.
“The acquisition of this property will enable REACH to continue to grow our services,” said Peg Ganger, REACH board chair. “Our strategic plan focuses on growth, including hiring additional staff and increasing community involvement. This wonderful house will support this expansion, offering space for future needs as well as a large meeting room suitable for trainings, support groups and small community events.”
In a community where resources can be limited, collaboration between organizations like KARE and REACH is essential. Their partnership demonstrates what is possible when agencies align around a shared mission: reducing harm, supporting survivors and working toward a future free from violence.
The building itself stands as a symbol of that work. Within its walls are stories of some of the most heinous acts imaginable — but also stories of survival, of strength and of hope. It is a place where trauma has been met with compassion and where healing has been given room to begin.
As REACH prepares to take ownership, that identity will not change. If anything, it will deepen.
And as Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, this moment serves as a reminder that awareness must always be paired with action — and that action is strongest when it is rooted in community.
For those who feel called to be part of that work, REACH is inviting community members to consider how they, too, can help shape the future of Haywood County. REACH will launch a capital campaign to support renovations to the home and pay down the mortgage in the coming years —ensuring that this space remains a dedicated place of healing for generations.
If you are looking to make a lasting impact in Haywood County, now is the time.
Because this has never been just a building.
It is a promise — to every survivor who walks through the door — that they will be seen, supported and never alone.
