Tag Archive for: REACH

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.

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.”

Celebrating 30 years of support

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🎨 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

 

January 2025 Events at REACH Ministries

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Christmas party heightens joy and decreases heaviness for people with HIV

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The REACH holiday party took place on Zoom, making it accessible to participants all over the Northwest during this busy time of year. Last weekend 25 guests signed on from along the I-5 corridor as well as Eastern Washington, Oregon, and Montana. One even joined from a hospital room where she was keeping watchful care over her young child.

This party demonstrated that REACH people are getting comfortable on Zoom – the full hour was energetic sharing of anecdotes, comments, jokes, and traditions. The games we planned only fueled the fire of joyful storytelling and visiting. The quieter participants never had to worry about being “called on” since the air space was already full!

Amidst the hilarity, our guest from the hospital room participated quietly, writing comments in the chat and playing group games via the shared white board. At the end, just before saying goodbye, we rallied around her saying we would be thinking of her and her child and those of us that pray would be praying. She visibly teared up.

Thankfully, two days later she let us know that her child’s lab work came back with signs of hope and healing for the first time since being hospitalized and quarantined four weeks ago with a concerning AIDS-related infection.

Isolation comes in many forms for our participants: Fear of rejection and stigma. Life alone in a new country. Or the literal four walls of a hospital room. REACH has the privilege of being a constant presence and a steady voice of encouragement, belief, hope, and care.

REACH participants with HIV experience holistic well-being

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At REACH we are keenly aware of the judgment, stigma, and isolation facing people with HIV. The issue might seem more distant to those who don’t have weekly connections with people with HIV. We’ve even had individuals ask, “Isn’t HIV a solved problem?” The answer, of course, is that while treatment has come a long way, and our participants don’t live with an ever-present fear of death… the problem of HIV has not been solved.

Individuals with HIV in the U.S. have a doctor they spend less than 15 minutes with every 6 or 12 months. Mostly, the doctor makes sure the virus is still undetectable and sends them on their way with renewed or updated prescriptions. Some individuals with HIV also have a case manager who helps them with social services if they find themselves needing transportation vouchers, switching doctors or dentists, or even facing homelessness. Both “relationships” serve important purposes in the life of someone with HIV, but is that all they need? Medicine and physical resources?

At REACH we know that someone living with HIV needs much more. They need a safe place to talk about their status and how it impacts them. They need joyful smiles and bear hugs. They need friends who don’t require HIV education before they can be knowledgeable and supportive. They want to meet other people living with HIV. They need the compassionate listening ear of a friend without having to make an appointment.

For many of our participants, before finding REACH, their only safe setting to discuss HIV was the occasional, hurried conversation in the sterile office of their health care provider. This is not a space for them to tell their story, describe their relationship challenges, talk about their emotions, or get a response that sounds like, “I get that! It happened to me too.” Those things only happen for them at REACH.

Care providers refer people to REACH because they know their patients need more than what they can offer, and people who are a part of the REACH community are more likely to adhere to their medical regimen and stay healthy, physically and in other equally important ways.

“Allison’s” safest place is REACH

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As a teen with complex special needs, “Allison” (name changed for confidentiality) has not had an easy life. She and her HIV-positive mom, “Keira,” and her caregiver grandmother, “Dee,” connected with REACH immediately after moving here from another state in early 2024. They attended both Spring and Labor Day Getaways together. The grandmother exclaims about how valuable these experiences are for Allison and Keira.

For Allison, the activities get her outside in the fresh air, exercising her unstable legs, and surrounded by people who love to chat with her and enjoy her teasing sense of humor with no stigma or judgment about her disabilities.

When we first met Keira she told us “I need to make friends with HIV!” and in almost every support group (online or in person) she shares the story of the traumatic circumstances surrounding her HIV diagnosis years ago. She can be talkative, but the participants are gracious and kind. They know the value of listening to her experience and offering care. Keira comments often about how much people at REACH smile.

Dee delights in seeing her daughter and granddaughter engaged in such healthy and supportive activities and admits that she too gets a lot out of the themed breakout sessions, as fulltime caregiving is not easy.

At Labor Day Getaway Allison felt so safe and comfortable that she decided to perform a song, something she had never had the opportunity to do before. It was a spontaneous decision during the “talent” portion of campfire and her grandmother immediately grabbed her phone to record this novel event saying, “I can’t believe she’s doing this! I don’t know who she is. I’m so shocked at how outgoing she’s being. She comes to REACH and just comes alive.”

Many around the fire sang along to the classic love song, swaying and waving their phone flashlights back and forth like they were at a concert. While the performance would be unlikely to win an award… Allison felt like a superstar as she tiptoed back to her seat amid boisterous cheers and applause.