Tag Archive for: HIV

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.

December Events & World AIDS Day Highlights

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December is always a meaningful month here at REACH Ministries, and this year is no exception. We are closing out 2025 with a full calendar of support groups, creative activities, and community-building events — both in-person and online. Before sharing this month’s schedule, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on an important milestone we celebrated yesterday.

🌍 World AIDS Day 2025 – Bringing Community Leaders Together

On December 2nd, we hosted a World AIDS Day luncheon focused on bringing HIV education to church leaders and community faith workers. Motivated by the troubling rise in HIV-positive births in our region, we have been deeply exploring how to reach wider networks with preventative information, maternal health education, and compassionate understanding.

We were honored to welcome individuals from multiple churches and faith backgrounds. Our program blended HIV basics with faith-centered approaches to supporting community members — and the response was incredibly encouraging. Many attendees expressed a renewed commitment to educating their congregations and helping ensure pregnant women in their communities are tested.

While this particular event was designed for church leaders, it is important to clarify that REACH does not offer religious services in our programming. Our families come from a wide range of religious and non-religious backgrounds. All of our participant programming is non-faith-based unless someone specifically requests spiritual support, in which case we gladly refer them to a trusted person within our broad community network.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who attended and helped make the luncheon meaningful.

🎄 December 2025 Events & Support Groups

We have several opportunities for connection, support, and creativity this month. Please feel free to share this schedule with anyone who might benefit.

Positive Adults Support Group ZOOM

📅 Monday, December 1
🕛 12:00 PM

World AIDS Day Luncheon

📅 Tuesday, December 2
🕦 11:30 AM
(Thank you to all who joined!)

Creative Expressions – In Person (at the REACH Office)

📅 Tuesday, December 9
🕚 11:00 AM
Join us for a fun and relaxing morning of ornament-making.

Lifetime Survivors Support Group ZOOM

📅 Tuesday, December 9
🕢 7:30 PM

Positive Adults Support Group ZOOM

📅 Monday, December 15
🕛 12:00 PM

Winter Party on Zoom

📅 Saturday, December 20
🕚 11:00 AM
A fun, cozy event for all ages! Activities, games, and connection from home.

Youth Creative Expressions – Zoom Group

📅 Tuesday, December 30
🕓 4:00 PM
A great way for youth to wrap up the year with creativity and community.

💛 Staying Connected

As always, REACH remains committed to providing safe, supportive, and judgment-free spaces for individuals, youth, adults, and families affected by HIV. We are incredibly grateful for our community partners, donors, volunteers, and the families who continue to trust us.

If you have questions about any of our programs, or if you know someone who might benefit from our support, we would love to connect.

Thank you for being part of the REACH family — and we wish you a warm, joyful December.

November at REACH: Connection, Creativity, and Community

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As the holidays approach, we’re looking forward to a month filled with warmth, gratitude, and opportunities to connect! Whether you join us in person or online, November offers something for everyone in our REACH family — from shared meals to creative projects and heartfelt conversations.

Here’s what’s happening this month:

🍂 Saturday, November 15 | 5–7 PM
Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner – REACH Office Building
Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Potluck! Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy an evening of community, gratitude, and laughter. Everyone is welcome — families, volunteers, and friends old and new. RSVP Here: https://form.jotform.com/252786488028168

💬 Monday, November 17 | 12:00 PM (Zoom)
Positive Adults Support Group
A supportive space for HIV-positive adults to connect, share experiences, and build community from wherever they are.

🎨 Wednesday, November 19 | 11:00 AM – REACH Office
Creative Expressions: Wooden Signs Workshop
Join us in the office for this month’s Creative Expressions session! We’ll be making personalized wooden signs — a fun, hands-on activity to express creativity and unwind.

🌿 Wednesday, November 19 | 7:30 PM (Zoom)
Lifetime Survivors Support Group
For those who were born or have lived with HIV since early childhood. This group offers understanding, encouragement, and meaningful discussion.

👶 Tuesday, November 25 | 11:00 AM – REACH Office
Moms with Young Kids Support Group
A relaxed, supportive gathering for moms raising young children while navigating the challenges of HIV or caregiving. Kids welcome!

🌈 Wednesday, November 26 | 4–5 PM (Zoom)
Teen Creative Expressions Group (Ages 12–19)
Our very first Creative Expressions for Teens! We’ll meet on Zoom to make a fun craft together — supplies will be shipped directly to participants. Open to youth ages 12–19, whether they are HIV-positive or not.

If you have a teen or know someone who would enjoy joining, please contact us soon so we can send their art kit in time!

November is all about connection — and we’re so grateful for every person who makes REACH the supportive, welcoming community it is.

September at REACH: Connection, Support, and Creativity

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Each month at REACH we gather in different ways — some online, some in person — to connect, share, and create. September’s schedule has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for support, community, or a little creative time with others check out our events below.

🌟 Positive Adults – Zoom

📅 Monday, September 22 at Noon
This monthly group is for adults living with HIV since their teens or later. It’s a place to check in, share experiences, and find encouragement with people who understand the journey firsthand.

🌟 Lifetime Survivors – Zoom

📅 Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 PM
Our Lifetime Survivors group is for individuals born with HIV or who acquired it in early childhood. These monthly gatherings are a chance to connect with peers who share similar life experiences and to build community together.

🌟 Creative Expression – At the Office

📅 Tuesday, September 30 at 11:00 AM
This month’s Creative Expression project is Keychains with Meaning. We’ll provide beads, charms, and even shrink-plastic art (yes — Shrinky Dinks are back!). Add a word, sketch, or symbol that speaks to you and turn it into something you can carry with you every day.

And of course, we’ll have coffee and snacks while we create together.

💜 How to Get Involved

  • To join our Zoom groups (Positive Adults & Lifetime Survivors):
    Contact Pam
    📧 Email: pwenz@reachministries.org
    📱 Text: 541-612-0616
    ☎️ Call: 253-383-7616

  • For Creative Expression:
    Contact Cecilia
    📧 Email: cbryan@reachministries.org
    📱 Text: 385-208-1303
    ☎️ Call: 253-383-7616

 

September Events flyer

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.”

New Labor Day Getaway Location

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Our REACH community is growing, as more and more people living with HIV join us. And we found a new Labor Day Getaway location that’s just the right size! It’s still in the “north of Seattle” region, but will be a brand new experience.

REACH staff visited the venue for an in-depth tour last week and got even more excited than we were before. The camp staff can’t wait to welcome REACH participants, and they share a similar heart for creating spaces for everyone to be accepted and flourish.

Whether you’re a potential volunteer or potential guest, we hope you’ll join us August 29-September 1! We will certainly be welcoming many first-timers and it will be a special year of Getaway.

Celebrating 30 years of support

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Read more

🎨 Rock Painting: Join Tacoma’s Monkeyshines Tradition! 🐒✨

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Have you heard about Tacoma’s beloved Monkeyshines tradition? 🐒✨

Every year around the Lunar New Year, a group of anonymous “monkeys” hide beautiful glass orbs and medallions throughout the city. What started as a secretive tradition has gained so much popularity that “rogues” now join in, hiding their own creative treasures for others to find.

From jewelry and pins to painted rocks, marbles, and posters, Monkeyshines is all about serendipity, spreading joy, and bringing the community together which closely aligns with our REACH mission.

As a huge Monkeyshines fan for nearly a decade, I (Cecilia) have been lucky enough to find a few of the coveted orbs and medallions (pictures below).

Each year, I join the fun by making and hiding my own rogue creations—this year, it’s jeweled keychains!🎨 I’d love for you to join the fun by creating your own rock art to hide—or keep as a personal treasure!

*Remember the Monkeyshines rules: If you find a glass orb or medallion, please take only one per year to ensure everyone gets a chance to share in the magic. For rogue treasures like painted rocks and trinkets, feel free to collect as many as you discover!*

Year of the Dog glass Orb and MedallionGlass Orb with pin and carrot rougeOrb commissioned by the Tacoma Port for the year of the tiger

About the Event

Come to our Creative Expressions Rock Painting Session and create something uniquely yours. Paint rocks inspired by the Lunar New Year’s theme—this year’s animal is the Snake—or let your imagination run wild with your favorite designs.

We’ll provide everything you need, including:
🎨 Liquid acrylic paints
🖌 Markers for detailing
✨ A varnish to seal your masterpiece and protect it from the environment

No experience? No problem! This event is perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike.

Event Details:
📅 When: Tuesday, January 21st, 12:00 PM
📍 Where: REACH Ministries Office, Tacoma
📱 RSVP: Email cbryan@reachministries.org or text 541-612-0616

We want to make sure we have plenty of supplies, so be sure to RSVP!

Join us for this creative and fun event to celebrate Lunar New Year, connect with others, and add your special touch to Tacoma’s magical Monkeyshines tradition.

Let’s make art, spread joy, and create unforgettable moments together! ✨

Rock Painting for Lunar New Year