Local founders launch REACH survivor services to provide 48-hour emergency housing for survivors

Mercy Stout and Stacy Baron presented REACH survivor services to the Kane County Commission on Feb. 10, describing a new locally run nonprofit aimed at making domestic- and sexual-violence support more accessible for residents who previously had to travel to St. George for help. "We came up with our why," Stout said, citing geographic isolation, limited transportation options and the need to keep donations and grant funds local.

Stout told the commission REACH has incorporated, obtained 501(c)(3) status and set up a website, and said the group is working with Dove Center (St. George) on a memorandum of understanding to transition services gradually. She reported law enforcement figures from Jan. 2020 through June 2025: "405 combined calls, 307 were domestic violence, 57 were sexual-assault, and 41 were related offenses," and noted underreporting is common in rural communities.

The organization described an emergency safe-housing program that uses vetted short-term rental owners who donate unbooked nights. "We have a pool that we can pull from and say, 'Hey, we have somewhere that we need to put a survivor for minimum 48 hours up to 2 weeks,'" Stout said. Hosts would receive a tax receipt for the nightly rate and payment for cleaning fees; REACH said it has a lawyer-reviewed contract and an application process for prospective providers.

Commissioners asked practical questions about donations and contact information. Stout said REACH needs hygiene kits, comfort blankets, and food to supply survivors during the initial 48 hours, and that the founders are using a designated contact number and will collect donations directly until an office is established. Staff and commissioners clarified REACH does not replace existing county victim services: "We love Devon and we enjoy working with her," Stout said, describing confidentiality protections for counseling records and mandatory reporting exceptions.

The presentation concluded with a request for the commissionto support REACH "in whatever way that might look like," and commissioners welcomed the local initiative and offered to follow up on possible county support and donation logistics.

Next steps: REACH will continue coordination with Dove Center and county victim services and pursue local fundraising and grant cycles; commissioners asked staff to review any existing county donations or service contracts that might affect future funding.