REACH welcomed 13 First-time Participants to Spring Getaway

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“Meryl” and her tween child signed up for the Spring Getaway because a family friend invited them. Meryl and this friend have a long history with each other, and she trusted her friend wouldn’t steer her wrong… but she was concerned that REACH sounded like a religious non-profit and she hoped she wouldn’t be judged or feel out of place for not being religious. She signed up anyway, hoping for the best.

A few days later, Pam called Meryl requesting an intake phone call to start building a relationship in advance of the Getaway. During the usual overview spiel, Pam explained some of the nuances of REACH.
That we focus on fun and laughter to build bonds…
That we don’t talk about HIV up front because children might not know their status or their parents’ status…
That we are a Christian non-profit committed to not being preachy or pushy, and our volunteers and participants come from all backgrounds and give us consistently high scores for feeling 100% welcome…
Meryl interrupted, saying, “That makes me feel so much better! I was worried about that religious part!”

From the very first evening at the Getaway, Meryl participated full throttle. Running to get the middle spot in human tic tac toe, jokingly offering the worst possible advice in a game called “Reverse Advice,” prancing along doing the “caterpillar conga” with balloons cushioning her and her teammates’ abdomens. Her face radiated joy.

During our Closing Ceremony, Meryl stood up and shared with the whole group that she had never been in a group of people where she got consistently smiled at in such a sincere way. She couldn’t believe those smiles lasted all weekend. There were no cliques, only the feeling of being completely welcomed and embraced and… smiled at! Her voice quivered for a few of her sentences, but she pressed on, determined to express her appreciation.

It never gets old, seeing people experience the unconditional acceptance of the REACH community for the first time. They sense immediately they are in a judgment-free zone, a place of joy, filled with genuine smiles and listening ears.

*One week after the Getaway, Meryl let us know they were having “withdrawals.” She said they felt it as soon as they drove away from the venue on the last day of the Getaway, and it hasn’t subsided yet. We reminded her that can join us for Zoom support groups twice a month, and the summer picnic and Labor Day Getaway will be here before we know it!

Circle of Hope Update: A Season of Growth at REACH

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Theme for 2026 Designed to Uplift People Living with HIV

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Drum roll please…

And the REACH theme for 2026 is… Rooted in Belonging!

These two words — Rooted. Belonging. — emerged as favorites because REACH embodies them in every interaction, event, and relationship.

When a new participant hesitantly logs into a support group for the first time. Or arrives at Getaway wondering if they’ll find real friends. Or nervously joins us for a holiday potluck with a bag of rolls in hand. Within moments, they know they belong. They know they have been unconditionally accepted as part of the REACH family.

What they might not realize yet, is that from this point forward, whatever the world hurls at them by way of judgment, jabs, isolation, rejection, or bullying… they can continue to put roots down deep into their REACH community and drink of the trust, joy, acceptance, and real friendship they find there. This is how REACH strengthens people living with HIV to flourish.

REACH isn’t flashy. Never has been! But for 31 years we have wrapped people up in belonging like it’s a warm blanket, and within that community of belonging they put down roots to grow and flourish.

New Friends with HIV that Immediately Feel like Old Friends

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By Pam Wenz, REACH Director of Family Services
In April, REACH did an intake phone call with “Lisa,” and she attended support groups on Zoom off and on in 2025, but with limited talking or sharing of her video. When 2026 arrived, Lisa had still never met any REACH staff or participants in the flesh. I suggested we should use Presidents Day to get together — I said I could pick her up and together we could drive to meet up with two other REACH women in her area. She was eager for this to happen.

Once the four of us were settled in the apartment kitchen, setting out snacks, coffee, and tea… I saw the power of how much people trust REACH. For the first hour I could barely get a word in edgewise with these three as they shared stories, backgrounds, experiences, foods, faiths… In passing, the topic of Acceptance* came up.

Once we were cozily settled on couches, I found a gap in the conversation and asked the women if they’d be willing to take turns sharing with one another how they were able to come to a place of acceptance with their HIV. Lisa shared first. Her answer wandered to many painful places in her life story, but never quite touched on Acceptance. When she was done, I said, “It sounds like you are still on your journey toward acceptance.” She nodded that this was true. Her new friends shared next, showing vulnerability as they described their journey toward acceptance.

At the end of our gathering, Lisa asked for the other women’s phone numbers, which they readily provided.

For the first time, she experienced the level of safety she needed to talk about her status.

For the first time, she has personal friendships with people who understand life with HIV.

*Acceptance is a common topic that people living with HIV reflect on. For many of them, the days following initial diagnosis of HIV is not characterized by acceptance of this new reality. Perhaps they feel denial, fear, panic, blame, or many other things. But acceptance usually comes more quietly. And quite a bit later.

REACH Partners — Combining Forces to Uplift People Living with HIV

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What REACH does in the Pacific Northwest (and beyond) for people living with HIV is unique. Offering an array of online support groups, featuring two affordable weekend getaways each year, maintaining a Christian foundation with a non-judgmental/all-are-welcome posture… we are proud of what we do. But we are just one piece of the puzzle, when it comes to people living with HIV leading flourishing lives! Of course they need excellent medical care, insurance navigators, social workers, prayer support, and case managers… this is why we celebrate the amazing partnerships we have in the community.

Did you know? REACH has…

  • 19 mutual referral partners – These are clinics, agencies, and organizations that refer their patients or clients to us. In turn, when we hear one of our participants mentioning a need (for insurance, housing, rental assistance, medication, case management, a new doctor, etc.) we refer them to one of our partners to meet that need.
  • 69 prayer groups and individuals that lift REACH families up every single week. They also cover our weekend events in 48-72 hours of prayer for protection, community, and impact.
  • 14 churches who support REACH with volunteers, facility use, and donations.

This week we celebrate a new community partnership with the Center for Multicultural Health — an organization in Seattle that has been serving people of African descent living with HIV in King County for as long as HIV has been around!

Creative Expressions Club: Creating, Connecting, and Crafting Together

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Creative Expressions Club is a monthly space where youth can create, connect, and just be themselves—no pressure, no expectations, just art and community.

This club is for youth who are living with HIV and for youth who have a parent or caregiver living with HIV. It’s a welcoming, affirming space where young people can show up exactly as they are and know they belong.

Each month, every participant receives a Creative Expressions Club box in the mail, filled with all the supplies needed for that month’s project. From the moment the box arrives, it’s a little reminder that they’re part of something—that someone is thinking about them and excited to create together.

On the last Tuesday of every month, we come together on Zoom to open our boxes, work on the project, and chat along the way. Some kids dive right into crafting, some take their time, and others enjoy listening and being present. There’s no right or wrong way to participate.

While our hands are busy creating, conversations naturally unfold—about school, hobbies, pets, favorite shows, and life in general. The art gives us something to do together, and the connection grows organically from there.

Creative Expressions Club is about more than just crafts. It’s about:

  • Building confidence through creativity

  • Creating consistency and routine

  • Offering connection in a relaxed, joyful way

  • Making sure youth feel seen, included, and valued

Interested in joining?
Do you have a child who might enjoy being part of Creative Expressions Club? We’d love to hear from you. Fill out our interest form to learn more and get started. A member of our team will follow up with next steps.

🎨✨ One box, one project, one connection at a time.

Creative Expressions Club

Thank You to The Puyallup Tribe for Investing in Families living with HIV

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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

We are deeply grateful to the Puyallup Tribe Charity Trust Board for awarding REACH Ministries a generous $21,000 grant—marking the third consecutive year we have been honored with their support. The Puyallup Tribe’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and individuals living with HIV continues to make a meaningful difference across our region—and we are profoundly thankful for their continued support of REACH Ministries.

On December 15, our team had the privilege of attending the Puyallup Tribe’s grant awards ceremony. From the moment we arrived, we were met with warmth, hospitality, and a genuine sense of community. It was inspiring to be in a room filled with so many organizations doing meaningful work across our region. The Tribe’s commitment to uplifting such a broad spectrum of worthy causes is making a tangible, lasting impact, and we feel truly privileged to be included in such good company.

REACH is currently in a season of significant growth. On average, three new households join our community every month—on top of the hundreds of children, families, and individuals we have served over the past 30 years. This growth reflects both the increasing need for support and the trust families place in REACH as a safe, welcoming space.

The Puyallup Tribe’s $21,000 grant will allow us to fully welcome dozens of new families in 2026. This is huge. For many families, their first experience with REACH is at one of our two annual weekend getaways or through other family connection events held throughout the year. These large, in-person gatherings are where relationships begin—where families realize they are not alone.

Once welcomed through these events, families are connected to all of our year-round support, including online support groups, mentors, and personal visits. Together, these programs create consistent, genuine relationships rooted in acceptance—relationships that help individuals and families not just survive, but truly thrive.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Puyallup Tribe for their continued belief in our mission and their investment in the well-being of families across our community. Your generosity is helping build connection, resilience, and hope—one family at a time.

Thank you for this generous grant

Labor Day Getaway: Resilience shines despite HIV stigma

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At Labor Day Getaway, the warmth of REACH embraced eight new attendees and three new volunteers. As always, we could see our community in a fresh light through their eyes. Somehow, in a balance difficult to achieve, long-time friends excitedly caught up with each other and new participants were joyfully welcomed.

Here are a few snapshots:

  • A teen coming off a difficult year, found the strength to sing a solo in front of everyone. Her bravery came from the moral support of one friend and one volunteer doing “interpretive dance” on either side of the stage to take the spotlight off her. All three performers were wildly entertaining. Two in the silliest ways, and one in a sincere heartfelt way.
  • A mom still reeling from recent traumas plus the daily stresses of life gravitated toward a young adult she could encourage and befriend. They even shared the same heart language.
  • A tween arrived glowering and departed smiling and giving hugs.
  • Five young children became the best of friends. Staff and REACH parents giggled when the kids would say, That’s my brother.” “Hey, sister!” and “Those are my kids over there.” Yes, the 3-year-old dubbed the slightly older children her “kids.”
  • At her third consecutive REACH Getaway, a young mom felt safe enough to share a brief, timid glimpse into the dark times in her past and how she sees so much more life and hope now. She had told us previously that she wanted to share more but was not ready. What a privilege to earn her trust.

A first-time participant told us, “It is good to find a family.”
A single adult said, “Sharing our experience was a relief to me. I was so comfortable to say anything without being judged.”
A teen said, “I am new here. It was perfect. I’ve learned to be resilient.”

Calling All Volunteers: It’s Time to Get Wild at the Labor Day Getaway 2025!

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Volunteers Wanted!
Jungle games, glow paint, and unforgettable memories await.

If you’ve ever been to a REACH Labor Day Getaway, you know it’s not your average weekend. It’s laughter echoing through the trees, late-night campfire chats, spontaneous dance parties, and bonds that last way beyond the weekend.

Well… we’re doing it again. And this year, it’s going to be WILD.

Volunteer registration is officially OPEN, and we’re bringing the energy for this year’s Labor Day Getaway! Whether you’re a seasoned camp pro or thinking about joining us for the first time, we want you on our team.

💥 This Year’s Big Theme: Resilience
We’ve all been through a lot these past few years—and this Getaway is about celebrating how far we’ve come and the strength we carry forward. But don’t worry, we’re keeping it light, loud, and fun. Because at REACH, resilience doesn’t have to be serious all the time—it can glow in the dark.

🌿 Day 1 Theme: Jungle Resilience
We’re diving headfirst into the jungle—figuratively, of course (though rumor has it the Reptile Man might show up). This day is all about unleashing your wild side with team challenges and tribe spirit.

💡 Think:

  • Survivor-style challenges (minus the TV drama, plus more laughs)
  • Tribe games and chants
  • Creative chaos, and maybe even a few surprises

⛈ Day 2 Theme: Weather the Storm
Grab your rain boots and your grit— This day’s theme is all about tapping into the strength, silliness, and spirit that make our REACH community unstoppable.


💡 Think:

  • Mini Olympics
  • Glow-in-the-dark paint parties
  • Team relays and inflatable madness

 🎯 What’s in Store All Weekend Long:

This isn’t your average weekend away—it’s a full-on REACH-style adventure with all the good stuff included:

🍽 All meals & snacks provided – 3 delicious meals plus 2 snacks a day (no cooking, no clean-up, just enjoy!)
🛏 Hotel-style accommodations – Rooms with real beds, linens, and a bathroom—no tent camping!
🎨 Creative Expression sessions – Art-based outlets for all ages to create, unwind, and connect
🌳 Outdoor adventures – Pool time, archery, inflatables, and wide-open spaces to explore
🦸‍♂️ Counselor Crew – Each counselor is paired with 2–3 kids, building friendships and sharing the full camp experience together from breakfast through bedtime
🌈 Theme nights & social events – Jungle games, glow paint parties, and nighttime socials for kids, teens, and adults
🔥 Campfires & connection – Music, s’mores, and late-night laughs under the stars

Whether you’re cheering at the Mini Olympics, getting messy with paint, or just soaking in the joy around you—this is a weekend that fills hearts and builds lifelong bonds.

We may not have kayaks or zip lines this year, but we do have everything you need to make memories, build connections, and create a weekend full of laughter, movement, and meaning.

Whether you’ve been volunteering for years or this is your first time, you’ll be part of something that matters. You’ll help create joy, build connections, and give families a weekend they’ll never forget.

📝 Ready to jump in?
Volunteer registration is officially OPEN! Spots go fast, and we’d love to see some familiar faces (plus a few new ones).

👉 Sign up here

Let’s make this the wildest, most joy-filled Getaway yet. See you in the jungle! 🐒✨