Changes in Leadership:
Saying Farewell and Looking Ahead
CareReach has entered a new phase of leadership with the March 31 retirement of Executive Director Peggy Williams and the appointment of Program Director Joseph Jones to the Executive Director position.
Peggy’s history of dedicated service with the organization spans more
than 14 years, beginning in 2008 when she was hired to serve as the organization’s first Finance Director. In 2019 Peggy was named Executive Director, leading the way as the organization was rebranded and reestablished in the wake of Medicaid reform. 
“It has been an immense honor to end my career working with the exceptionally caring and dedicated team at CareReach,” says Peggy. “I look forward to retirement and the adventures it holds, and leave knowing that Joseph will lead CareReach with compassion, vision, and a commitment to serving the residents of Western North Carolina.”
We wish Peggy the best as she retires from a long and distinguished career of service. Her plans for her well-deserved retirement include extensive travel as well as additional time with friends and family. Enjoy your retirement journey, Peggy—you deserve it!
Welcoming Our New Executive Director, Joseph Jones
Selected by the CareReach board of directors, Joseph Jones assumed the position of Executive Director as Peggy Williams’ tenure ended. Mentored by Peggy, Joseph has been employed with CareReach for nearly twelve years. “I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this amazing team,” says Joseph. “I’m so proud of the work they do to serve the communities of Western North Carolina, and I’m excited for the chance to serve as CareReach makes this transition in leadership.”
A Western North Carolina native with roots in McDowell County, Joseph is familiar with the changing healthcare picture in our mountain communities. “I look forward to continuing a tradition started in 1998 when CareReach was first incorporated as Access II Care. Today CareReach remains dedicated to addressing gaps in care for those that most need it, doing so through collaborations with local partners and community organizations.”
Recognizing that each CareReach program is unique, Joseph says the common thread for all of them is their ability to help individuals access the care and resources they need to improve and maintain their health.

We look forward to the next chapter of CareReach leadership and wish Joseph success as he assumes his new role as Executive Director.
McDowell Impact Team Attends
NC One Community in Recovery Conference
Members of the McDowell Impact team recently traveled to Greensboro to take part in the 14th annual NC Recovery Conference. The conference title, “One Community in Recovery,” provides an appropriate description of the positive outcomes of the three-day event held March 1-3. The team benefitted from the opportunity to network around mental health and substance use disorders with others who are involved in various aspects of recovery and resiliency.
“We had a great experience at the conference,” said Jacqueline Fox, Peer Support Services supervisor for the McDowell Impact team. “We were able to hear different perspectives on the work we do and learn about programs from all over the state. The educational value of the conference was a great refresher.”
Education and Growth
Designed to foster the continued growth of the North Carolina recovery movement, one of the goals of the annual Recovery Conference is to teach participants how to establish and maintain recovery programming in their own communities as well as to highlight effective recovery practices.
While the McDowell Impact team is already well established, the Peer Support Specialists report having gained valuable insights on the issues covered in the main sessions and breakout sessions. Team members attended informative breakout gatherings, such as Peer Support Boundaries; Recovery Narratives; Blueprint to Wellness: A Guide to Helping People Maintain Beyond-Healthy Behaviors; and Justice-Involved Peer Support. 
Stronger Ties, Renewed Purpose
In addition to accessing learning opportunities through the conference, Jacqueline notes the positive effects of attending the conference together as a team. “We left feeling closer as a professional team and with a renewed passion for our peers.” 
On the importance of taking advantage of educational and networking opportunities such as this, Jacqueline shared a humorous quote from motivational speaker Zig Ziglar: “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily."
CareReach is proud to support the work of McDowell Impact, an innovative, multi-agency collaboration utilizing peer support specialists to promote and support recovery.
TRPA and MATCH Teams Participate in VITA
Toe River Project Access (TRPA) and McDowell Access to Care and Health (MATCH) teams are participating in this year’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. 
In preparation for this year’s tax season, team members received tax law training and certification through the IRS, preparing them to assist low-income individuals and families with preparing accurate 2022 tax returns and accessing and applying appropriate tax credits.
CareReach Program Manager, Jordan Girard, expressed appreciation for community partners who provided meeting space to accommodate tax preparation assistance. “We realize we couldn’t participate in VITA and hold these events without the support of community organizations that are donating their space at no cost.”
TRPA events were held at the YMCA Mitchell County Healthy Living Center, Celo Health Center, and Yancey County Public Library. The MATCH team offered events in conjunction with West Marion Inc, Addie's Chapel, East Marion Methodist Church, Old Fort Baptist Church, NC Works McDowell, McDowell County Public Library, East Marion IPHC En Espanol, and Centro Unido Latino Americano.
Accurate Returns and Access to Tax Credits
Jordan emphasized the importance of the VITA program and the difference it is making in our mountain communities. “People can be confident they are getting their returns completed accurately and that they’re being filed correctly.”
One of the specific goals for both the MATCH and TRPA VITA providers is to connect with individuals who may not even be aware that they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and/or Child Tax Credit. Through VITA, these individuals can gain access to the EITC and other common credits for which they qualify, enabling them to maximize their tax refunds, avoid fees charged by paid tax preparation services, and improve their financial picture.
MATCH has been able to offer VITA services to more than 150 individuals in McDowell County to date this year, allowing these taxpayers access to refunds averaging $1,100.

Meanwhile, in this inaugural year of TRPA's participation in VITA, TRPA-assisted taxpayers earned an average refund of $645 per return.
In addition to assisting with tax returns, contacts made through VITA also provide opportunities for MATCH and TRPA team members to share information about ACA enrollment, as well as to connect eligible individuals with other services and resources they provide.

We look forward to both MATCH and TRPA's VITA services expanding in future years.
CareReach Welcomes New Staff Members
CareReach is pleased to announce that Jordan Girard has been hired as Program Manager, stepping into the role as Executive Director Joseph Jones assumes leadership of the organization. As Program Manager, Jordan will prioritize CareReach program development efforts and furthering community initiatives and partnerships.

Jordan received her BSW from Mars Hill University and is preparing to graduate from Western Carolina with her MSW this May. She comes to us from Mission Health, having worked as a resource specialist throughout Western North Carolina.
Christine Sipe recently assumed the role of Hep-C Bridge Counselor at CareReach.

As Bridge Counselor, Christine is tasked with assisting Buncombe County residents who are Hep-C positive, providing support as they navigate treatment. She will also engage in community outreach, advocating for patient care needs, helping them access medication for Hep C, and acting as a liaison between patients and their local healthcare providers.

Most recently employed as HCV Case Manager with Appalachian Mountain Community Health Center, Christine's background of service in this region is a wonderful asset to CareReach and the patients she serves through Hep C bridge counseling.

We welcome both Christine and Jordan to the CareReach staff.
Donate to CareReach
As a non-profit partner in the health and safety-net system of Western North Carolina, CareReach relies on the generous gifting of donors and supporters to sustain our vital work. While many in our community are faced with barriers and gaps in whole-person, coordinated health care, we work with these individuals to help them reach their health goals; through our collaboration with local partners, we help make clinical and community services more accessible to those who need them. 

Please consider making an investment in the health of our mountain communities. With your help we will reach our goal.
Communities working together for the health of all.
Your donation helps sustain our work across Western North Carolina.
 Integrity | Collaboration | Agility