Tag Archive for: HIVAIDSawareness

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 β€” 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 β€” 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.

πŸŽ„ 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

πŸ“… Monday, December 1
πŸ•› 12:00 PM

World AIDS Day Luncheon

πŸ“… Tuesday, December 2
πŸ•¦ 11:30 AM
(Thank you to all who joined!)

Creative Expressions – In Person (at the REACH Office)

πŸ“… Tuesday, December 9
πŸ•š 11:00 AM
Join us for a fun and relaxing morning of ornament-making.

Lifetime Survivors Support Group ZOOM

πŸ“… Tuesday, December 9
πŸ•’ 7:30 PM

Positive Adults Support Group ZOOM

πŸ“… Monday, December 15
πŸ•› 12:00 PM

Winter Party on Zoom

πŸ“… Saturday, December 20
πŸ•š 11:00 AM
A fun, cozy event for all ages! Activities, games, and connection from home.

Youth Creative Expressions – Zoom Group

πŸ“… Tuesday, December 30
πŸ•“ 4:00 PM
A great way for youth to wrap up the year with creativity and community.

πŸ’› 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 β€” 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 β€” from shared meals to creative projects and heartfelt conversations.

Here’s what’s happening this month:

πŸ‚ 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 β€” families, volunteers, and friends old and new. RSVP Here: https://form.jotform.com/252786488028168

πŸ’¬ 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 β€” 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.

πŸ‘Ά 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 β€” 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 β€” 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 β€” some online, some in person β€” 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

πŸ“… 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

πŸ“… 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

πŸ“… 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 β€” 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.

πŸ’œ How to Get Involved

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

  • For Creative Expression:
    Contact Cecilia
    πŸ“§ Email: cbryan@reachministries.org
    πŸ“± Text: 385-208-1303
    ☎️ Call: 253-383-7616

 

September Events flyer

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

REACH Ministries Receives MultiCare Grant to Impact 205 HIV-Positive Families with Support, Mentoring, and Education

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2024 Multicare grant recipient

At REACH Ministries, an organization dedicated to supporting HIV-positive individuals and their families, we believe that flourishing starts with community. That’s why we are delighted to share some exciting news: we have been selected as a 2025 recipient of the MultiCare Health System Community Partnership Fund award! This grant is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting HIV-positive children, adults, and their families through safe, judgment-free programs.

About the Program

The awarded program, Adherence to Health Care and Social Services Plans for HIV-positive Teens and Adults, strengthens our efforts to provide:

  • Support Groups: Safe spaces where individuals can connect and share their journeys without fear of judgment.
  • Mentoring: One-on-one guidance and encouragement to help participants navigate their unique challenges.
  • Family Services: Activities and education that foster whole-family resilience and understanding.

Who We Serve

Our community is inclusive and diverse, including:

  • Children born with HIV
  • Parents with HIV
  • Teens who contracted HIV on the streets
  • Adults who are β€œlifetime” survivors (they’ve had HIV since infancy)
  • Adults recently diagnosed
  • Immigrant and refugee families
  • Older Adults aging with HIV

Many participants come to us feeling isolated or burdened by secrecy. Through REACH, they discover the power of being truly known and supported by a community that understands.

How the Grant Will Be Used

This grant enables us to grow by:

  • Forming five new partnerships with HIV clinics and social workers, who will refer patients and clients to REACH.
  • Conducting participant intakes and providing ongoing education and encouragement.
  • Hosting engaging welcome events to introduce new participants to our fun, judgment-free community.

Impacting Lives Together

REACH currently serves 155 HIV-positive participants and their 317 family members. With this grant, we aim to reach 50 additional individuals plus 125 of their families by the end of 2025, touching a total of 647 lives.

We are profoundly grateful to MultiCare Health System for their trust in our mission. Together, we are creating a healthier, more hopeful future for those living with HIV.

Join Us

Follow along as we grow our programs and continue to provide life-changing support. Let’s celebrate this milestone and the lives it will impact! ❀️

About MultiCare Health System

The following is an excerpt provided by MultiCare Health System:

MultiCare Health System is a not-for-profit health care organization with 13 hospitals and more than 26,000 team members. We are committed to achieving our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future and delivering world-class health outcomes and exceptional experience.

As the largest community-based, locally governed health system in Washington state, our comprehensive system of health includes numerous primary care, urgent care and dedicated specialty services. For more information, visit MultiCare.org.

#REACHMinistries #CommunitySupport #HIVAIDSawareness #PartnershipForHealing #HopeAndFlourishing