Reach workcamps returning to area

NEWFANE The Reach Workcamps are coming back to Niagara County.

Next summer, possibly in July 2013, high school kids from all over the country will come to Newfane to work onporches, steps, wheelchair ramps, outhouses, painting and all kinds of assorted assignments.Its expected the teens will work on 60 to 100 homes in the county, providing $300,000 to $400,000 in improvements, but all for free.

This is the second time the Reach camps have stayed in Newfane. Board of Education Vice President Kelly Artieri said she spent an evening back in 2010 with a Reach group. Artieri was touched by the organization aenthusiasmof the of the teens.

I was brought to tears, it was the most amazing thing I have seen, Artieri said. Im so glad youre coming back.

Reach Workcamps spent the summer of 2010 in Newfane, a move that was nessecary because of the c

onstruction being done at Lockport High School, the camps former Niagara County home. Reach did not return to the Western New York area in 2011 and will not return this summer.

The workcamps will stay in Newfane district buildings, at no cost to the district, for a pair of one-week sessions next year. Usually one-week programs, each Reach camp draws 400 to 500 teens from all over the United States.

Michael Boron, the director of St. Johns Outreach, said the agency receives requests from clients in need of house repairs, but are unable to afford them. Some are even called to housing court in the city of Lockport after being cited.

Theres not a lot we can do for them, given our limited resources, Boron said. This, on the other hand, provides us an excellent opportunity to service those low-income, home owning, taxpaying citizens of our communities and give them a better place.

Based in Colorado, Reach holds about eight to 10 workcamps across the country each year. St. Johns Outreach is the local Reach workcamp coordinator, which means it will locate homeowners in need of Reach help.

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Reach workcamps returning to area