The predecessor to iCare, (R.E.A.C.H.) began in 1970 in Topeka, Kansas, when Dolores Lebbert saw the great need for religious education and a meaningful Mass experience for people with developmental disabilities through her work at KNI in Topeka. Through the tireless efforts of volunteers and support of Archbishop Ignatius Strecker, REACH soon expanded from Johnson and Shawnee counties to 47 dioceses, 154 cities, 30 States and several foreign countries.

Many children and adults with developmental disabilities received the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation at REACH Masses in the 1970’s and 80’s.

Following the retirement of Archbishop Strecker in 1993 and a push towards main-streaming or inclusion of people with developmental disabilities at the parish level, an unintended consequence left many people with developmental disabilities without the meaningful participation in the Mass and religious education that they had with REACH. By the year 2000, the REACH program came to an end.