FEBRUARY 12, 2005

Dear Friends,

"Listen to me..." said the apostle Peter when people mistook his joy of faith for early morning drunkenness. Now I borrow his words, "Listen to me..." listen, this is what REACH is about: it's about the healing of conflict, illness and divisiveness. REACH exists to extend compassion, to bring hope into seemingly hopeless family situations, to bring strong but gentle solutions when and where stress creates conflict.

Because of you, 2004 was an amazing time for this small ministry that serves the Pacific Northwest states and Arizona. The mentoring program for children affected by HIV/AIDS has experienced amazing growth; Gig Harbor High School REACH students served the community by assisting homeless teenagers, providing blood drives, raising money for a child to attend camp, sponsoring discussions on values and so much more.

168 family members were served at Northwest REACH camp and throughout the year, by our ongoing programs, individual support and over 130 volunteers. At Purdy Prison our director and her volunteers tallied over 3,000 contact hours with inmates as they provided continued education and support. And the beat goes on: we are working now on the revision of our Sex Education handbook and, among other things, development of a new and improved psychosocial program.

"Listen to me carefully" said the apostle and I mimic his words: Listen, we very much need for you to continue your walk alongside REACH, a ministry family built of staff, advisors, hundreds volunteers and supporters such as yourselves: all people persistent, determined, diligent, resilient and with the tenacity to see this local, small ministry continue to extend compassion to a hurting world.

"Listen to me," this is my prayer for REACH for 2005: that together with boldness we can continue offering hope and compassion, wrapped in amazing grace, to those in need.

Blessings my friends,

Susan K. Slonaker

P.S. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. If you are not currently giving, please consider a monthly gift of 25, 50 or 1,000 dollars to continue enhancing programs that serve families.