Help alumni. Join our Reach Out Facebook group!

UpBeat December 2023
By Zan Diener (91E)

Reach Out’s Assistance 
Helps Transform Alumni’s Lives

Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network (Reach Out/ROAAN) serves as a vital support system for our fellow UWP alumni who find themselves navigating the complexities of homelessness, job loss, or severe medical difficulties. We are dedicated to aid our community members during these uncertain times, and often their darkest hours.

As part of the vibrant UWP alumni community, we share a deep bond that extends beyond when we traveled. In the face of unforeseen challenges, Reach Out's mission to assist alumni facing unexpected crises has become increasingly crucial, especially with the recent surge in applications— an astounding 800% increase in the last six months.

The collective strength of our alumni network turns individual acts of kindness into a force for change within our community.

How Reach Out Extends Support:

• Financial Assistance: Through various fundraising efforts, including our ongoing Empty Stocking Fund initiative, we provide immediate financial aid to alumni in dire circumstances. This initiative, happening right now, invites contributions from our alumni community, ensuring no member faces these challenges alone.
• One-on-One Support: Our Care Network allows alumni to extend direct, personalized support to those in need. It's an opportunity for our community to rally together and offer assistance on an individual basis, making a tangible impact in the lives of our fellow alumni. Our growing Care Network allows us to extend a helping hand, to our alumni in need, when and where it is needed the most.
• Non-Financial Aid: We help connect alumni in need with relevant 3rd party services. These resource lists helps maximize the available assistance for the applicant.
• Confidential Application Process: Reach Out ensures strict confidentiality in its application process, encouraging any alumni experiencing hardships to apply for support without fear or hesitation.

Real Stories, Real Impact:
Meet the Alumni Reach Out Has Helped

Hear the stories behind these resilient alumni whose lives were transformed by Reach Out's support:

“When my husband and I were facing financial difficulties because of his health and the loss of my job, a fellow alum reached out to us to suggest that we contact Reach Out, so I did. They came through at just the right time and helped us get through the crisis. We are tremendously grateful a program like this was available to us.”
-anonymous alum

“I cannot express enough to the Reach Out Board the gratitude I have for helping me out during what has been the most difficult time in my life with devastating circumstances. I am grateful for your timely assistance, which allowed me to get back on my feet again! Again, I thank you!”
-anonymous alum

“A huge thank you to the Reach Out Board. It turns out having to ask for help for yourself, is a really hard thing to do. It was just refreshing to have someone new in my life who wouldn’t judge me. For the first time in probably 10 years, honestly, I was able to breathe, sleep OK at night, and not wake up with extreme anxiety. My husband also wants to extend his thanks because he has seen the change in me that I am no longer as stressed and can focus on our family and my healing. Thank you, thank you, thank you again for believing in me and supporting me.”
-anonymous alum

“Your help got me through the worst part of the winter. Now my house is a little warmer and I have food on the table so I can focus on my health and get myself from my terrible situation to a better one in the future. I am not capable of finding enough words to express my gratitude. You not only gave me assistance, you gave me hope. You showed, "We believe in you," and that means a lot to me.”
-anonymous alum

“I can't thank you enough for all the support you have shown me. For the first time, in what feels like forever, I am knocking on doors, instead of them being slammed in my face. "Thank you" just doesn't seem to be enough, but know that Reach Out has opened up avenues I never knew were available. You reminded me that there are people out there who want to help. For this I am grateful!”
-anonymous alum

These testimonials are just glimpses of the impact Reach Out's support offers. Join with fellow alumni, to help spread the word about Reach Out to your cast mates and cast groups. Together, let's ensure no alumni faces adversity alone.

Make a difference today and be a part of changing lives

The stories above represent just a glimpse of the incredible impact Reach Out has on our alumni in need. With the help of alumni, like you, we are able to turn despair into hope, uncertainty into opportunity, and isolation into a community of care.

This year, our alumni need us more than ever. Help create more success stories like those above. Join us in making a difference today! Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network serves as a vital lifeline for those navigating complexities like homelessness, job loss, or severe medical difficulties.

Reach Out is funded 100% by UWP alumni for UWP alumni!

We have seen an 800% increase in applications in the last 6 months.

Our annual Empty Stocking Fundraiser helps provide immediate financial assistance to our alumni in crisis. Your contributions have an immediate impact to help alumni in emergent situations get back on their feet.
Help ensure Reach Out remains a vital resource for our alumni community by making a tax-deductible contribution today.

As we approach this holiday season, we invite you to be a part of our mission by filling our empty stocking with hope and support. Each donation—whether $5, $20, or any amount—directly helps those in our community who need it most.

Even the little bits help! Small donations, when pooled together, create an immense impact. They provide immediate aid, offering stability, resources, and hope to alumni facing unexpected challenges. Your generosity becomes a lifeline, enabling our fellow alumni to overcome these difficult moments and rebuild their lives.

As UWP alumni, our collective strength lies in our unity and compassion. Together, we can rally behind our fellow alumni, offering hope and support during their times of need. Your involvement in the Reach Out Empty Stocking Fund can directly shape the lives of those within our community.

In this season of giving, make a difference in the lives of our fellow alumni by ensuring that no member of our UWP family is left behind and no one has to face adversity alone.

Thank you in advance for supporting
our alumni and Reach Out!

 
If you know any alumni who need assistance,
please have them download and fill out an application.
**All applications are kept confidential.**

Reach Out keeps all applications in strictest confidence.
Your privacy is important to us.  When alumni in need apply to Reach Out, they let us know which permission we are allowed to discuss their circumstances, and which pieces of information we have permission to disclose. 

Join our Care Network. Whether it is providing a hot meal, a conversation, or a ride to a medical appointment, our worldwide local Care Network alumni have signed up to be available and ready if we get alumni in need in their area.

Local alumni are matched up with alumni in need in several ways. One match is through geographical location, and how close you are to the alumni in need. Another match may be by your specialty, if you are a life coach, nurse, healthcare or social worker. We are always looking for more alumni in the helping professions.

It only takes a few minutes to join our Care Network. Get started now by going to www.roaan.org/carenetwork.htm.

Help alumni. Join our Reach Out Facebook group!