The KARE House

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KARE is a 501c3 registered non-profit and serves as the Children's Advocacy Center for Haywood County

Haywood County has over a thirty year history of combatting adverse childhood experiences. Noted as the number one county in the state of North Carolina for numerous years, the community became determined to remove this title. Key individuals throughout the county worked together to develop a volunteer-based school safety program for elementary school students. As the school program began to grow and the need for trauma-informed services became more prevalent, the Haywood County Child Abuse Task Force was formed. Utilized to provide a community-coordinated response to child abuse and neglect, the task force looked to ensure open communication between those responding to investigations. At the same time, the children's advocacy center movement was occurring throughout the nation. As an avid businessman and a visionary in the Waynesville community, Robert Forga along with his wife, Viola, made a child advocacy center possible in Haywood County. The family's vision and dedication to children led them to provide the space for the KARE House. Formally known as "The Robert Forga Family KARE House", the space has allowed for hundreds of children and families to receive services in a space resembling a residential structure. The living room, toys, and lack of structured space, provide a warm and relaxing space for families who utilize the services provided by KARE. As of 2018, KARE is currently out of the top ten counties for child abuse and maltreatment reports.

10/29/2026

🎃🧡 Halloween is all about costumes, candy, and fun—but it's also a great opportunity to talk with children about personal safety and healthy boundaries.

This Halloween week, we encourage families to review the KidSmartz® Tips for Parents: Setting Physical Boundaries resource attached to this post. This guide provides practical tips for helping children understand that their bodies are their own, reassuring them that trusted adults will listen when they share concerns, and modeling respectful interactions and healthy boundaries.

As children attend parties, community events, and trick-or-treat activities, these conversations can help reinforce important safety skills, such as:

🎃 Understanding personal space
🎃 Recognizing when something makes them feel uncomfortable
🎃 Practicing ways to say "no" or speak up when a boundary is crossed
🎃 Identifying trusted adults they can turn to for help

At KARE, we believe prevention education plays a vital role in creating safer communities for children. Teaching children about body safety, boundaries, trusted adults, and help-seeking skills empowers them with tools they can use throughout the year—not just during Halloween.

For additional child safety resources, visit KidSmartz® from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org/education/kidsmartz

Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and boundary-respecting Halloween week! 👻🍬

10/28/2026

🌟 Paddle Sponsor Spotlight: Caffeine & Chaos 🌟

A big thank you to Caffeine & Chaos for supporting KARE as the Paddle Sponsor for this year’s Festival of Trees! 🎄✨

We are so grateful for businesses like Caffeine & Chaos that step up to support children and families in our community. Your generosity helps KARE continue our work to provide advocacy, healing, and hope to children throughout Haywood County.

Thank you, and Chaos, for helping make this special event possible and for being part of the KARE family!

10/27/2026

🎃👻 Halloween is a great time to have important safety conversations with the children in your life.

As families prepare for trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities, consider using the KidSmartz® Safety Scenarios from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to help children think through real-life situations they may encounter. The safety scenario document provides simple, age-appropriate prompts that encourage children to practice problem-solving and identify safe choices before they find themselves in an unexpected situation.

Some questions to discuss include:
🍬 What would you do if you got separated from your group while trick-or-treating?
🏠 What would you do if someone asked you to come inside their home?
📱 Who are your trusted adults, and how can you contact them if you need help?
👮 How would you identify a safe adult if you needed assistance?

At KARE, we know that prevention starts with education. Helping children learn about personal safety, trusted adults, boundaries, and help-seeking skills can build confidence and prepare them to respond when faced with challenging situations.

You can find additional KidSmartz® resources and safety activities here: https://www.missingkids.org/education/kidsmartz

We hope you have a fun, safe, and happy Halloween week! 🎃🧡

10/26/2026

🌟 Presenting Sponsor Spotlight: Jackson Medical Associates 🌟

We are thrilled to welcome Jackson Medical Associates as one of our Presenting Sponsors for this year’s Festival of Trees! 🎄

We are so grateful for their generosity and commitment to supporting our community. Sponsors like Jackson Medical Associates help make this special event possible and allow KARE to continue making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout Haywood County.

Thank you, Jackson Medical Associates , for partnering with us to help build a brighter, safer future for the children we serve!

10/23/2026

We are so grateful to Martin Marietta in Waynesville for committing to a 3 year room sponsorship at The KARE House! Our community continues to show up, partnering with us to support the children of Haywood County. Thank you!

10/23/2026

🌟Presenting Sponsor Spotlight: Shick Construction🌟

We are proud to recognize Shick Construction as one of our Presenting Sponsors for this year’s Festival of Trees! 🎄

Their generous support helps KARE continue providing advocacy, healing services, and hope to children and families throughout Haywood County. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our mission and for helping make this year’s event possible.

Thank you, Shick Construction LLC, for your partnership and dedication to creating a brighter future for Haywood County's children.

10/22/2026

New Covenant Church - Clyde, NC and Creative Minds Christian Preschool are committing to protecting children!

Earlier this week, 16 adults participated in Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children training to learn practical ways to prevent child sexual abuse and help create safer environments for the children they serve.

You can be part of the solution, too! Child sexual abuse prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a parent, educator, faith leader, or community member, you can take steps to protect children by learning the signs of abuse, understanding how to respond, and helping create safer spaces for every child.

Interested in bringing this training to your workplace, church, or organization? Contact KARE House to learn how you can get involved!

Together, we can build a community where every child can grow and thrive free from abuse. 💙

10/22/2026

🌟Presenting Sponsor Spotlight: NC Farm Bureau Insurance, Waynesville🌟

We are honored to recognize NC Farm Bureau Insurance – Waynesville as one of our Presenting Sponsors for this year’s Festival of Trees!🎄

Farm Bureau has been a presenting sponsor for the last five years! Their continued support helps KARE provide critical services, advocacy, and hope to children and families throughout Haywood County. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing partnership and commitment to making a difference in our community.

Thank you, Haywood County NC Farm Bureau, for helping us create a safer, stronger future for children in our community.

10/21/2026

💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 💜

Everyone deserves to feel safe. And no one has to face domestic violence alone.

For those experiencing domestic violence, REACH of Haywood County provides local support and a 24/7 helpline. National resources are also available anytime, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which offers confidential support by phone, text, and online chat.

📍 Local Resource:
REACH of Haywood County
📞 828-456-7898 | Available 24/7
🌐 reachofhaywood.org

📞 National Resource:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
📞 800-799-7233 | Available 24/7
💬 Text START to 88788
🌐 thehotline.org

At KARE, we believe every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and free from abuse. This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, help us spread awareness, share resources, and remind those who may be experiencing abuse that support is available.

10/20/2026

🎄30 days until Festival of Trees! 🎄

We’re officially counting down to one of our favorite events of the year. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, this year’s event is sold out, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone who will be joining us.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes moments, decorated trees, auction and raffle previews, and more ways to see what our community is making possible for KARE House and the families we serve.

Stay tuned as we count down to Festival of Trees 2026!

Address

Waynesville, NC

Telephone

+18284568995

Website

http://www.karehouse.org/

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