Marcus’ Life with HIV, Part 1

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Marcus was born with HIV and joined REACH in 1997. 

“If I’m struggling, I can go to anyone at REACH with any of my problems, not just health-related issues. I’ve known the people here since I was young. REACH is family to me.” 

“I have to really pick and choose who I tell [about my HIV]. People assume I brought it on myself. Do I really have to explain all about how my mother got HIV, and then passed it to me? In high school, a girlfriend’s mother tried to get a restraining order against me because of HIV. Her uncle physically confronted me to stay away.”  

Watch for Part 2 of Marcus’ story coming soon

Violet’s Life with HIV, Part 2

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Seven years later Violet married a man who accepts and loves her unconditionally. The REACH staff had a frozen yogurt date with Violet as a send-off to Texas, where her husband had a new job. During her years there, she continued to receive personally-signed birthday cards from REACH. She has saved every single card for the last 11 years.

“I believe I am always being thought about.”

Violet and her husband moved back to Tacoma in 2018. Within a few days she gave the REACH staff a surprise visit to announce she was back in town. With her still-quiet voice and beaming smile, she expressed how happy she was to be back with REACH. Now in her late-20’s she plans to “give back” as a volunteer Camp counselor. She can help a new generation of girls know their immense worth – she can tell them how REACH journeyed with her from a fearful girl to a confident adult.

Watch for more REACH stories like this in coming weeks.

Violet’s Life with HIV, Part 1

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Violet, 18, sat miserably at the doctor’s office waiting to find out whether she had mono. The shocking news she got instead: she was HIV positive. She couldn’t believe her ears. She never considered herself at-risk for HIV.

Still shell-shocked the next week, she had her first HIV clinic appointment with Dr. Mary Fairchok—also a long-time camp doctor for REACH. Mary described to Violet all the support REACH had to offer. Violet was immediately drawn to having an understanding friend – a REACH Mentor – to walk alongside her in this new harsh reality. A month later, Violet was matched with her REACH mentor. She was shy at their first meeting, but her wide smile spoke volumes. In the coming years Violet poured out her thoughts and fears to her mentor. Violet admitted she had a phobia of blood draws and pills. She didn’t think she could stomach the horrible tasting medicines. She even admitted she felt deeply “flawed” like no one would accept her again. Her mentor spoke works of comfort and encouragement – this is not a punishment; you are beautiful and special; God loves you.

Read Part 2 of Violet’s story in a couple of days.

REACH just upgraded to a Gold Seal from GuideStar.

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Through 2020, REACH had a Silver Seal, and we just earned Gold! The GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency indicates we have provided key information to our Nonprofit Profile, giving potential donors and funders better insight into our work, and making us stand out from the other nonprofits in the GuideStar database. 

Grief and Celebration – Together

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At Christmastime, we reflect on our 2020 theme of “Enduring Hope.” Holding things in tension has become second nature during COVID; acknowledging the losses as we celebrate the new and beautiful.

Read our Christmas 2020 newsletter.

We’re Hiring: Office and Events Coordinator

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We have an opening for Office and Events Coordinator. Learn more and Apply by January 5th

World AIDS Day – a fresh perspective from a young adult

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“Hi, my name is Katie.

“I am the intern for REACH Ministries through the 2020-2021 school year. Through this internship I have spent weeks learning about the effect HIV has on lives, and there is so much I wasn’t taught in school. I was prompted to write this reflection after a conversation with my younger brothers about HIV. There was so much they didn’t know and so many questions I couldn’t answer.”

Read Katie’s full essay

REACH Family Holiday Party

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It’s time to sign up! The online party is Sunday, December 13th from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. Sign up.

Happy Thanksgiving

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As we reflect on 2020 and prepare for 2021, we are thankful for you … our REACH families, volunteers, supporters, and community partners.

Honoring Suzie Slonaker, Founder of REACH Ministries

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We are gathering on Zoom on Sunday, November 22 at 5:30 p.m. to honor Suzie, beloved founder of REACH, who passed away on October 24th. If there is something you love about REACH, it probably exists because of Suzie’s fierce and unwavering determination that REACH be a safe community of unconditional acceptance, joy, and trust.

Join Zoom Remembrance


As we remember her together – in both our listening and our speaking – we express our gratitude that she was a part of our lives and that she created REACH. This will be a simple gathering, with opportunities for people to share memories or stories about what made Suzie so special. Suzie loved candles; you might light one at home during this candlelight remembrance.

Join Zoom Remembrance