Grief and Celebration – Together
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.
We’re Hiring: Office and Events Coordinator
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
“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.”
REACH Family Holiday Party
It’s time to sign up! The online party is Sunday, December 13th from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. Sign up.
Happy Thanksgiving
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
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
REACH Camp Online, plus please pray for Camp this weekend
We are doing Camp in a whole new way this year! Read how taking Camp online brings new ideas!
Also, will you please join us in prayer this weekend?
Camp Update
See below — updated Camp events for September 5-6!
WE DO NEED YOU TO REGISTER by August 20th to ensure you’ll get your “Camp-in-a-Box” in time with properly-sized T-shirts!!
SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 Adult Breakout and Teen Creative Expressions (simultaneously)
11:30-12:30 Kids Creative Expressions
** Free time **
Sign-ups coming soon for…
** Adult social gatherings**
**Kids-and-counselors social gatherings**
6:15-6:45 Dinner “together” (It’s on REACH!!)
7:00-7:45 Talent Show on Facebook Live
7:45-8:00 Get your snacks ready (provided in your Camp-in-a-Box)
8:00-9:00 Campfire
SUNDAY
10:00-11:00 Worship Service (optional)
Additional opportunities for…
** Adult social gatherings**
**Kids-and-counselors social gatherings**
Circle of Hope Week FINAL RESULTS!
$115,842 … 122% of goal! From Monday, May 11th through Friday, May 15th, we shared stories about the profound impact HIV has on families … And how the accepting REACH Community comes into their lives to give them Enduring Hope. Thank you for your remarkable generosity!
Circle of Hope final results.
REACH Families, HIV, and COVID-19
Throughout our 25-year history, REACH has always responded to life’s biggest challenges, offering acceptance, safe community, joy, and trust to some of the most rejected and isolated among us. The REACH staff has quickly settled into our new reality of telecommuting with kids at home and social distancing, so that our full attention remains on supporting our REACH community … in some new and creative ways.
During this time of dramatic impact on daily lives, our REACH families need the acceptance and safe community we offer as much as ever, maybe more so. They already face ongoing rejection or anxiety of being “outed.” Restrictions imposed by the current pandemic may worsen their sense of isolation. Additionally, for those whose HIV treatments aren’t fully functioning, their immune systems may be compromised, putting them at higher risk for COVID-19, causing fear. REACH families need to feel “REACH community” and hear a message of Enduring Hope … that is the theme for 2020 we adopted months ago before the world heard of COVID-19.
We had to cancel our Spring Family Camp next weekend. Even though we can’t be together in person, WE ARE STILL REACH. The REACH staff and volunteers are brainstorming creative “virtual” ideas to stay connected. For now, we are calling the most vulnerable and isolated to offer encouragement and affirmation.
If you have questions or ideas to share, we would love to hear from you. Call us at 253-383-7616 or email.
Read the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and Persons with HIV.
COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY
