Our Mission at REACH

The mission of REACH is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. REACH wants to assist families in identifying and navigating the social, community and faith-based services within their community. We also promote the importance of a more inclusive and accessible environment for all through collaboration with similar organizations and work to ensure that individuals with disabilities and their families have equal access to all areas of our community. Our focus is also on the well-being of caregivers of individuals with disabilities. We are effectively supporting caregivers of individuals with disabilities with our Bridging the Gap: Behavioral Healthcare Initiative.

About the Executive Director

Patricia Parker has been an Advocate for Individuals with disabilities and their families for thirty-three years. She is the Executive Director of Resource, Education and Community Help Services, Inc. (REACH) a nonprofit organization founded in May 2012. She is also a parent and advocate for her adult son who has Autism and Epilepsy.  She is the co-author of “We Dare Be Brave” The emotional journey of three African American Moms raising individuals with disabilities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Non-profit Administration from Cleveland State University. She has combined her education with her experience to assist caregivers in navigating the challenging systems of special education and adult services in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been awarded the Family Tribute Award from Milestones Autism Resources (2022), Champion Award from Live Special for the book “We Dare Be Brave” (2022) and the Parent of the Year award in (2023) from Connecting for Kids for her work in community inclusion and accessibility for all individuals with disabilities and their families in Cuyahoga County.