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

REACH Camp Online, plus please pray for Camp this weekend

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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

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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!

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$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

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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.

A Thrill of Hope – The REACH Christmas 2019 Newsletter is available!

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What an expressive phrase! The song “O Holy Night” says: “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn.”    Read more

A YEAR OF CLAIMING JOY – The REACH Fall 2019 Newsletter is available!

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Claiming Joy has been the drum beat of our year at REACH…. It’s a deeper abiding peace that we can claim no matter the circumstances. Read more

REACH is searching for a Program Director

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Our beloved Program Director, “Penguin” Pat Askren, is retiring at the end of this year. She will be deeply missed.

We are now searching for a new Program Director. Please share this opportunity with people you know who may be interested.

Click here for the position announcement and application instructions.

The primary focus of the Program Director will be directly supporting those we serve, coordinating volunteers, cultivating relationships with organizations who refer their clients to us, and of course overseeing program planning and execution with a volunteer leadership team. The position is 20 hours/week, increasing to 32 hours/week leading up to our weekend family camps. For questions or inquiries, interested parties may contact our Executive Director, Dan Stoehr, at 253-383-7616 or dstoehr@REACHministries.org.

We will give priority consideration to applications submitted by December 6th.

Thank you for sharing this opportunity with those you think might be interested!