1. Privacy Policy
Effective date: 06/16/2026
Who We Are
REACH of Haywood County, Inc. (REACH, we, us, or our) is a nonprofit organization serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking in Haywood County, North Carolina. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through our website, reachofhaywood.org, and how we use and protect it.
A Note for Survivors
You do not need to provide any personal information to read the information on this website or to call our 24-hour crisis line at 828-456-7898. Calls to the crisis line are confidential. If you are worried that someone may be monitoring your computer or phone, please read our Internet Safety page before using the contact forms on this site.
Information We Collect
We collect information in the following ways:
- Information you give us. If you fill out a contact form, sign up for a newsletter, register as a volunteer, or make a donation, we collect the information you enter, such as your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
- Donation information. When you donate online, your payment is processed by GiveButter. REACH does not store your full credit card number on our servers. The processor’s handling of your payment information is governed by its own privacy policy, available at GiveButter.
- Information collected automatically. Like most websites, we use cookies and analytics tools, including [Google Analytics or other tool], to understand how visitors use the site. This may include your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and the date and time of your visit. This information is used in aggregate and is not used to identify individual visitors.
How We Use Your Information
- To respond to your questions and requests.
- To process donations and send receipts and acknowledgments.
- To send newsletters and updates if you have asked to receive them. You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email.
- To coordinate volunteer activities.
- To improve our website and outreach.
We Do Not Sell Your Personal Information
REACH of Haywood County, Inc. does not sell, rent, trade, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes, and we never have. This applies to all visitors, donors, subscribers, and volunteers. Because we do not sell personal information, there is nothing you need to opt out of, but if you have any concern about your information, you may contact us using the details at the bottom of this policy.
What We Do Not Do
- We do not share donor or subscriber lists with other organizations.
- We do not use website forms to collect information about clients receiving services. Client records are kept separately and are protected under our Confidentiality Statement and applicable law.
Your Privacy Rights
You may exercise the following choices at any time by contacting us at youmatter@reachofhaywood.org or 828-456-7898:
- Access. You may ask what personal information we hold about you.
- Correction. You may ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or out of date.
- Deletion. You may ask us to delete your personal information. We will honor the request unless we are required to keep certain records by law, by our funders, or for legitimate recordkeeping purposes such as donation receipts.
- Unsubscribe. You may opt out of newsletters and email updates at any time using the link in any email or by contacting us.
We will respond to privacy requests within 30 days. We will never deny services, charge a different amount, or treat you differently for exercising any of these rights.
When We May Share Information
We share personal information only with service providers who help us operate the website, process donations, or send email, and only as needed for them to perform those services. We may also disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a valid court order, or to protect the safety of a person in imminent danger.
Cookies and Your Choices
You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. Some features of the site may not work properly without cookies. You may also opt out of Google Analytics tracking using the browser add-on Google provides.
Data Security and Retention
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards to protect the information we collect. We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above or as required by law and our funders’ record retention requirements.
Children
This website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the site. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised.
Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy may be sent to youmatter@reachofhaywood.org or mailed to REACH of Haywood County, Inc., 456 Hazelwood Ave.
Waynesville, NC 28786.
2. Terms and Conditions
Effective date: 06/16/2026
Acceptance of These Terms
By using reachofhaywood.org, you agree to these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.
Emergency Disclaimer
This website is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support at any hour, call the REACH crisis line at 828-456-7898. Information submitted through this website is not monitored around the clock, and submitting a form does not create an immediate response.
Informational Purposes Only
The content on this site is provided for general information. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or counseling. Reading this website, sending us a message, or submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship, a counselor-client relationship, or any other professional relationship with REACH or its staff. For advice about your own situation, please contact REACH directly or consult a qualified professional.
Use of the Site
You agree not to use this site for any unlawful purpose, to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the site, to interfere with its operation, or to harvest information about other users.
Intellectual Property
The text, graphics, logos, and other content on this site belong to REACH of Haywood County, Inc. or are used with permission. You may print or share pages for personal, educational, or noncommercial purposes with attribution. Any other use requires our written permission.
Links to Other Websites
This site contains links to outside websites for the convenience of our visitors. REACH does not control those sites and is not responsible for their content, accuracy, or privacy practices. A link does not mean REACH endorses the linked site.
Disclaimer of Warranties
This site and its content are provided as is and as available. REACH makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the site, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, REACH of Haywood County, Inc., its directors, officers, employees, and volunteers will not be liable for any damages arising out of your use of, or inability to use, this website or its content.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Changes
We may revise these Terms at any time by updating this page. Continued use of the site after changes are posted means you accept the revised Terms.
3. Accessibility Statement
REACH of Haywood County, Inc. is committed to making our website usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. Everyone deserves access to information about safety and support.
Our Standard
We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including vision, hearing, motor, and cognitive disabilities.
What We Do
- We provide text alternatives for meaningful images.
- We maintain sufficient color contrast between text and backgrounds.
- We structure pages with proper headings so screen readers can navigate them.
- We make the site usable by keyboard alone, without a mouse.
- We design pages to work across screen sizes and devices.
- We review the site on an ongoing basis as content is added.
Known Limitations
[List any known issues, such as older PDF documents that have not yet been remediated, or third-party donation forms whose accessibility REACH does not control. If none are known, state that no limitations are known at this time.]
Telephone and In-Person Alternatives
If any part of this website is difficult for you to use, you can always reach us by phone. Our 24-hour crisis line is 828-456-7898, and our office can be reached at the same number during business hours.
Feedback
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of this site. If you encounter a barrier, please contact us at youmatter@reachofhaywood.org or 828-456-7898 and describe the problem and the page where it occurred. We will make reasonable efforts to address it promptly.
4. Confidentiality Statement
Confidentiality can be a matter of life and death for survivors. REACH of Haywood County, Inc. takes that responsibility seriously, and our confidentiality practices are required by federal and state law as well as by the terms of our grant funding.
Our Commitment
REACH does not disclose, reveal, or release personally identifying information about any person who seeks or receives our services. This includes a person’s name, address, contact information, and any other information that could be used, alone or in combination, to identify them. We do not confirm or deny that any individual is or has been a client of REACH.
Legal Basis
Our confidentiality obligations arise from federal law and grant conditions, including the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(2)), the Victims of Crime Act and its program rule (28 C.F.R. 94.115), and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10406(c)(5)), as well as North Carolina law. [Counsel should confirm citations and add any applicable state provisions.]
Releases of Information
We release personally identifying information only when the client signs a written, informed, and reasonably time-limited release that names the specific person or agency to receive the information and the specific information to be shared. A client may revoke a release at any time. We never require a client to sign a release as a condition of receiving services. In the case of an unemancipated minor, the release must be signed by the minor and a parent or guardian as permitted by law, and a parent or guardian may not consent on a minor’s behalf when that adult is the alleged abuser.
Limits of Confidentiality
There are narrow situations in which the law requires or permits disclosure without a release:
- Reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, as required by North Carolina law.
- Reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a disabled adult, as required by North Carolina law.
- A valid court order or statutory mandate. When disclosure is compelled, REACH makes reasonable efforts to notify the affected person and discloses only what the order requires.
- Situations involving a serious and imminent threat to a person’s safety.
Our Mandatory Reporting page explains these obligations in more detail.
Statistics and Reporting to Funders
REACH reports nonidentifying, aggregate statistics to funders, such as the number of people served. These reports never include information that could identify an individual client.
Questions
If you have questions about how your information would be handled before you contact us, you are welcome to call the crisis line at 828-456-7898 and ask. You do not have to give your name.
5. Internet Safety
If you are worried that someone may be watching what you do online, please read this page first.
Your Computer Use Can Be Monitored
Computers, tablets, and phones store information about the websites you visit. An abusive person with access to your device, your accounts, or your home network may be able to see your browsing history, your email, and your messages. It is not possible to completely erase every trace of computer activity.
Use a Safer Device
If you believe your activity might be monitored, use a safer computer or phone to look for help. Safer options include a computer at a public library, a community center, a trusted friend’s house, or your workplace. You can also call our 24-hour crisis line at 828-456-7898 from a safe phone.
About the Quick Exit Button
This website has a quick exit button on every page. Clicking or tapping it immediately takes you away from this site and opens a neutral website. The button is there in case someone walks in while you are reading. Please know that the quick exit button does not erase your browsing history. The pages you visited may still appear in the history of your browser.
Covering Your Tracks Has Limits
Private or incognito browsing modes reduce what is saved on the device you are using, but they do not hide your activity from monitoring software, your internet provider, or someone who controls your network or accounts. If you think monitoring software may be installed on your device, the safest choice is to use a different device entirely.
Email and Forms May Not Be Safe
If an abusive person has access to your email account, messages you send and receive are not safe, including replies from REACH. Think carefully before using the contact forms on this site or emailing us from an account someone else can open. When in doubt, call the crisis line from a safe phone instead. Calls are confidential and free of charge.
In an Emergency
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
6. Mandatory Reporting Disclosure
REACH protects client confidentiality to the fullest extent the law allows. We also want everyone who contacts us to understand, before sharing information, the few situations in which our staff and volunteers are required to make a report.
Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child
North Carolina law requires any person who has cause to suspect that a child is abused, neglected, or dependent to report it to the county department of social services (N.C. Gen. Stat. 7B-301). This duty applies to everyone in North Carolina, including REACH staff and volunteers.
Suspected Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of a Disabled Adult
North Carolina law requires any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a disabled adult is in need of protective services to report it to the county department of social services (N.C. Gen. Stat. 108A-102).
Serious and Imminent Threats
If a person communicates a serious and imminent threat of harm to themselves or another identifiable person, staff may be required or permitted to notify appropriate authorities or the person at risk.
Court Orders
REACH may be compelled to disclose specific information by a valid court order. When that happens, we make reasonable efforts to notify the affected person and we disclose only what the order requires.
What This Means for You
Outside of these narrow situations, what you share with REACH stays confidential. We will not share your information with anyone, including law enforcement, family members, or other agencies, without your written permission. If you have questions about what would happen if you shared something specific, you can ask a REACH advocate before you decide what to tell us.
7. Donation and Refund Policy
Tax Status
REACH of Haywood County, Inc. is a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our federal tax identification number (EIN) is 58-1647862. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Unless otherwise stated for a specific event or purchase, no goods or services are provided in exchange for online donations.
Receipts
Online donors receive an emailed receipt for each gift. If you need a duplicate receipt or a year-end giving summary, contact us at youmatter@reachofhaywood.org.
How Donations Are Used
Donations support REACH programs, including the 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and prevention education. Gifts designated for a specific program are applied to that program when possible. If a designated program is fully funded or discontinued, REACH may apply the gift where the need is greatest.
Refunds and Errors
If you made a donation in error, entered the wrong amount, or believe your card was charged without authorization, contact us at youmatter@reachofhaywood.org or 828-456-7898 within 30 days of the transaction. We will review the request promptly and issue a refund to the original payment method when the request is reasonable and timely.
Recurring Donations
You may cancel a recurring donation at any time by contacting us at youmatter@reachofhaywood.org. Cancellations take effect before the next scheduled charge whenever processing time allows. Charges that have already been processed are handled under the refund terms above.
Payment Security
Online payments are processed by GiveButter. REACH does not store full credit card numbers on its own systems.
Financial Information
Financial and charitable solicitation information about REACH of Haywood County, Inc. is available upon request.
DO NOT SELL MY INFORMATION
Last updated: June 16, 2026
REACH of Haywood County does not sell your personal information. We never have, and we have no plans to do so.
What this page means
Some state privacy laws, such as the law in California, give people the right to tell an organization not to sell their personal information. This page explains our position so that any visitor, in any state, knows where we stand.
We are a nonprofit organization serving people in Haywood County, North Carolina, and the surrounding area. We collect personal information only to provide our services, respond to people who contact us, process donations, and keep the community informed about our work. We do not sell, rent, or trade that information to anyone for money or other value.
Information we collect
Depending on how you use this site, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and any message you choose to send us. If you make a donation, our donation platform collects the information needed to process your gift.
We may also collect basic technical information through the website, such as the type of device or browser you use and the pages you visit. This helps us understand how the site is used and keep it working properly.
How we use your information
We use the information we collect to respond to your questions, provide and improve our services, process and acknowledge donations, send updates to people who have asked to receive them, and meet our legal and reporting obligations.
We share information with service providers who help us operate, such as our donation platform and our website host. These providers may use your information only to perform work for us, not for their own purposes.
We may also share information when the law requires it, or when sharing is needed to protect the safety of a person or the public.
Your choices
You may ask us what personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. To make a request, contact us through the Contact page on this website. We will respond within the time the law allows. We may need to confirm your identity before we act on a request, so that we do not release information to the wrong person.
If you receive emails from us and no longer want them, you can use the unsubscribe link in any message, or contact us and we will remove you from the list.
A note about safety
Because we serve people who may be in danger, we treat personal information with special care. If you have concerns about how your information could affect your safety, please tell us when you contact us, and we will handle your request with that in mind.
North Carolina law
Under North Carolina’s Identity Theft Protection Act, we take reasonable steps to protect personal information and to dispose of it securely when it is no longer needed. If a data breach ever affects North Carolina residents, we will provide notice as that law requires.
Changes to this page
We may update this page from time to time. When we do, we will change the date at the top. Please check back to stay informed.
Contact us
To ask a question or make a request about your personal information, please use the Contact page on this website or write to our office in Waynesville, North Carolina.
Emergency Line
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support 24 hours a day, call the REACH crisis line at 828-456-7898.
Quick Exit Notice
Need to leave this site quickly? Use the Quick Exit button at any time. It will not erase your browsing history. Learn more on our Internet Safety page.
Nonprofit Status Line
REACH of Haywood County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN 58-1647862. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact Form
Email and online forms may not be safe if someone else has access to your accounts or device. If you are not sure, call our confidential 24-hour crisis line at 828-456-7898 instead.