The R.E.A.C.H board participated at the 2023 Howl O' Ween Parade. Photo courtesy of Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Citrus Heights officials have made great strides in recent years to meet their strategic objective of being a city where residents can comfortably live, work and play.

One key player is the Residents' Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (R.E.A.C.H.), which is an umbrella organization made up of a board of directors and a member from each of Citrus Heights' 11 recognized neighborhoods.

R.E.A.C.H., started shortly after Citrus Heights became incorporated in 1997, works to keep the community functioning well in cohesion and to provide a safe place to gather, get to know each other and voice concerns. While each of the 11 areas meet independently, plan their own activities and build relationships close by, R.E.A.C.H. serves as the overarching nonprofit organization to help the neighborhoods thrive. The group can receive donations on behalf of the areas and also serve as an advocate that goes before City Council with issues and suggestions.

The R.E.A.C.H. board is currently appealing to Citrus Heights residents to get involved so that all neighborhoods are properly represented.

Natalee Price, R.E.A.C.H.'s president and representative of Area 10 (Sylvan Old Auburn Road), explained to the Messenger why the organization is effective and how more involvement leads to greater success.

"The neighborhoods' role is to keep engagement and education in the community," Price said. "We automatically have a safer community from everyone knowing each other."

The group's biggest struggle? Getting more community members. This has proven difficult for R.E.A.C.H., particularly for certain areas, according to Price. Area 4 (Arcade Creek) is currently inactive due to a lack of residents willing to step up. Price believes that if residents realize the positive impact R.E.A.C.H. can have on the neighborhoods, there would be greater involvement.

"There are a few members trying to get it [Area 4] going again," Price said. "Most other neighborhoods are active and have between 10 and 25 active members: people who show up each month, are willing to volunteer, etc. Neighborhoods have opportunities to get grant funding allocated through the City Council."

Becoming a R.E.A.C.H. member is easy.

"Just by living in Citrus Heights, you are a member of your neighborhood," Price explained. "So by that, we have 80,000 members but we have roughly 80 people participating each month. We are talking about one percent. We need involvement in the neighborhoods. We need people to realize the value of engagement and the improvement it offers."

Members’ average demographic is ages 50-plus. Until very recently, the neighborhood leaders were the voices running for council when the city was formed, according to R.E.A.C.H. members. Those who built Citrus Heights remained at the helm. Price and other R.E.A.C.H. representatives are excited to see that slowly changing, with some area reps now in their 20s and 30s. Price is 41. But the younger generations, Price said, need to do more to continue to get involved and have their voice heard.

"In order for our feedback to council to be accurate, we need more participation in the neighborhoods," Price said. "We need to hear from all generations and demographics to truly represent the needs of the community. If we don't have a demographic coming to the table, there is a chance that demographic is missing out on something they need in the community."

Become a part of R.E.A.C.H. by attending the regular neighborhood meetings. Some members are part of the email distribution but don't attend meetings. Others are there every month. Still others are very active, putting on neighborhood potlucks, heading up city cleanups and representing R.E.A.C.H. at public events. The group can be found everywhere from Sunday Funday to Howl-o-Ween. It's all a part of making Citrus Heights what Price calls an "inclusive, happy, vibrant place to call home."

This past year, R.E.A.C.H. received a council proclamation that created Good Neighbor Week. Every year in Citrus Heights, Sept. 28 through Oct. 4, is now a week dedicated to encouraging every resident to complete an act of kindness or do something neighborly. The group is also working to develop a Facebook campaign (#communityunity) to bring residents together.

"The neighborhoods all have different needs,” Price said. "A lot of people think they are too busy to get involved but some of the things may be hand in hand with what you're already doing."

Area 10, she specified, needs someone to take on their social media. Other neighborhoods need those with the gift of hospitality, gardening, graphic design, setting up and tearing down events, and planning the next gathering.

"We as a community can be more self-sustaining because someone took the time to share their knowledge at a meeting,” Price said. “It takes a willingness to share."

Those interested in getting involved with R.E.A.C.H. should attend its community potluck on March 11 at the Citrus Heights Community Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. with meal service at 6:30 p.m. You can also visit citrusheights.net or email your neighborhood representative.