by Ivana Liversedge It’s an understatement to say that I count myself blessed in so many ways. I am extremely blessed because of my relationship with my children. Why? Because I was incarcerated for seven years and separated from them. In prison, I heard story after terrible story from women telling me that their children…

by Meggin Schiffner and friends Being without your kids on a long-term basis is rough any time of the year, but during the holidays it can be brutal. Tons of emotions can dig at your mind — loneliness, shame, rejection, anger, and possibly that pesky inner voice that calls you a failure. Don’t get stuck…

by Daniel Kilby It is possible to survive being homeless and get back on your feet. I have been homeless six times in my life. I was homeless three times as a youth, not including my times in foster care. As an adult, I became homeless three times. The first happened in early adulthood when…

Dear Friend, When this issue was being planned, we counted on an interview with one of our readers. She had just gotten an apartment after two years of living in her car. Thrilled to help her settle in, we gave her a bedroom set and other necessities. I was so busy with my family’s move…

by Cherlene Adewunmi The Rewards of Establishing a Resume Everybody needs a resumé -- even the person reading this saying, “Not me!” No matter what you’ve dealt with in life, whether you think you have skills for a good job or very little work experience, you need a resumé. It’s not just for a chosen…

by MaryAnn Gardner I have worked with people struggling with addiction for the past eighteen years. In that time, I have noticed that a lot of shame is attached to people who struggle with addiction. This shame is sometimes called a “stigma.” Even though addiction is a common struggle, people stuck in addiction often feel…

We caught up with Bobbi-Jo at the office of Healing House in Kansas City last June. She’s been a friend of Reach UP, giving away thousands of magazines throughout each year to women in her community. This time we were there to ask about the documentary made about her amazing story, Bobbi-Jo: Under the Influence…

by Allan Scott I was a liar, a loser, and a thief. was a drug addict and alcoholic. I stole from my friends and my family. That’s who I was. It is not who I am now. But, like everyone, my story had its twists and turns. From the time I was very young, I…

by Crystal Knapp   My friend, Have you ever watched a boxing match? I can remember the cute twinkle in my sweet grandma’s eyes when I caught her watching boxing. I never would have guessed that someone who loved to cook and was not into sports could like boxing, but Grandma did. Though I was…

by Crystal Schippling My coffee cup says, “Chaos Coordinator.” Life at work and home does not follow a tidy pattern. I am good at organizing, but you couldn’t tell by looking at my office or my calendar (if you could find it). I have a large and energetic family that includes my pastor husband, six…

by MaryAnn Gardner If addiction could talk, what would it say? … don’t forget you need me today … and of course I will take all your pain away! If addiction could talk, what would it tell you? … no worries … I will make it so someone will sell you! If addiction could lie,…

by Elaine Mizuo We all know that social media keeps us connected with our loved ones and keeps us informed about things going on around us. But are you letting it take over your life? If you are a mother of young children, as you go through your day, try to balance your networking with…

by Crystal Knapp At some point it happens. You find yourself taking care of your kids, or someone else’s kids, or an adult with complicated health issues. Here’s what I’ve learned since I’ve been taking care of my special-needs adult sister. You have to get organized. A friend gave me the excellent advice to start…

by Karen Duckett When you go through a difficult event, especially in childhood, some of your thinking and emotions can get stuck in that event. Though you go on with your life, parts of you can remain stuck, holding onto the pain. When you try to go forward, it can feel like something in you…

Oh, my friend, This past year may have brought many changes in your life. I’ve sure experienced a lot. Sometimes life just forces change. Last year, I unexpectedly needed to take on having the Power of Attorney for two individuals in my family. Suddenly, I was responsible for their physical lives, their finances, and much…

by Bobbi Jo Reed This is the time of year that we get to be thankful for all things; or we are supposed to. Being real with your thankfulness can be a hard task for anyone, much less the recovering addict. Their world is one of struggling with not getting things back as fast as…

by Ruth Burgess Be brave    Be gentle   Be awake to justice     Be joyful   Be humble   Be awake to holiness     Be steady   Be hopeful   Be awake to love You can find this article and more in Reach Up Edition: Winter 2017-18

by Shirley Erena Murray Star child, earth-child Go-between of God, Love Child, Christ child, Heaven’s lightening rod:   This year, this year, Let the day arrive, When Christmas comes for everyone, Everyone alive.   Street child, beat child, No place left to go, Hurt child, used child, No one wants to know:   Grown child,…

by Cindy Hochart, RN, MBA, PMP Have you heard that the Christmas season is when suicide rates are at their highest? Well, it turns out that is NOT true. It’s a myth that has been kept alive through retelling it over and over. The fact is, that according to the Centers for Disease Control, December…

by Mary Jean Teachman Author: Never Saying Goodbye Suicide and drug abuse is an epidemic today. I know that sounds scary, but it is the truth.  I know the pain that is involved when a loved one takes his or her life. My son, Arthur Forrest Tull, left this planet by committing suicide. I didn’t…

by Liz Martinez Maschkywitz “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” is a saying that you have probably heard before. Some of you will agree, while others will disagree. Some might not understand what these words are saying. Think about what happens in the military. If you have been in the military, or know someone…

by Michael Richards I saw this before I came back to the Lord and I see it even more now that I am a Christian. Women need to stop letting boys control them with the piece of flesh that’s between their legs. That’s what I said. Letting yourself become controlled has caused many to leave…

by Tierra Davidson Tierra Davidson gives you tips on how to recognize and help a child who has been or is currently in an abusive situation. These pointers come from her personal experience of years of abuse by family members when she was a child. Her story of personal and spiritual victory was featured in…

Told by Marjorie Conigliaro Hi, my name is Marjorie and I wanted to tell you my story. I’m in tears as I read it here – How GREAT is our God! He kept me and I am forever grateful. When I was a child, a lot of abuse happened to me and around me. My…

by Anonymous I thank God for my daughter’s mother. No, I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about my daughter’s birth mother. You see, I adopted my daughter. My daughter’s birth mother was a beautiful young woman living in New York City, who through life’s struggles, was addicted to drugs…and sadly, was HIV+. When she…

by Kim Frederickson We all need to give ourselves a break. We’re good at showing compassion / kindness to other people – but many of us have trouble showing that same compassion to ourselves. We say things to ourselves we would never say to a friend. All this negative self-talk can have a bad effect…

by Kim Fredrickson, author of GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK, Marriage and Family Therapist and contributor to Reach UP Fall 2015 on the topic of "Being Your Own Best Friend." No matter what you have going on in your life, You Have Now!! Don’t let what has happened, what is happening, or your fear of what…

by Babs Kincaid You are worthy of a special Christmas experience. Christmas can be a wonderful and spiritual celebration for some families, but for many families of alcoholics, it can be a time of deep despair and loneliness. My alcoholic dad never got the memo that at Christmas you focus on kindness and rejoice at…

by Karen Duckett Many people make goals called resolutions at the beginning of the New Year. But almost as many stop working on them after a short time. Here are 5 tips on making and reaching your goals this year. #1 Start now. Why wait? You don’t need to wait until January 1 to get…

by Liz Maschkywitz One of my favorite songs by country artist Garth Brooks says, “Just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean He don’t care; Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” It has happened to all of us. We all have prayed prayer after prayer, and in many cases, the prayers have not been…

by Debbie Rutan Debbie, have you had some hard times? I’d say all of the “Top Ten” most stressful life experiences have knocked on my door! For ten solid years it felt as if life couldn’t get any worse. Our 2-year-old son was hit by a car and sustained a serious head injury. We moved…

by Anonymous God went to great lengths to reach out to you. Jesus humbly born as a baby is just a preview. God couldn’t bear to see you suffer anymore. So Jesus was sent as a gift to open Heaven’s door. Jesus willingly came to earth to set you free. He has cast all your…

by Anonymous Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful for God’s care. Even in our painful trials God has been there.   Be thankful, God holds you close to His heart. Rejoice knowing He has loved you from the start.   'Tis the best season to invite Jesus into your heart. He wants you and Him…

by Debra, Debbie, Patchen You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. Luke 1:31 GW The time is coming’—God’s Decree—‘when I will keep the promise I made to the families of Israel and Judah. ... He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right. Jeremiah 33:14…

by Crystal Wacker Knapp This is from the Proverbs 8 in the Bible. (The MSG) Close your eyes after you read it and imagine what the story might look like as a movie. Read It more than once if you need to. The story shows us what "Reaching UP" looks like. Ask yourself, “Where am…

The best thing in the world is to connect with God, the one who created you in His love and for a special purpose. The problem is we have all sinned (disobeyed God) and we are separate from Him. But God made a way through Jesus Christ for us to get together with Him! He…

by Jessica Menendez When you come to God, repent of your sin, and get a new life, new means NEW! You are not “adding God” to what you’re already doing. You must check to make sure you haven’t mixed anything else in. In my neighborhood about half the people practice Santeria. Bloody chickens. Rituals. Potions.…

*To be a son or daughter of God forever, it’s important to ask Jesus to forgive you of all your sins and tell Him that you believe that He is the Son of God. God’s original plan was for all people to be with Him forever. But we messed it up because of sin. Your…

by Karen Duckett Kids (as well as us adults) can get scared this time of year, with all the emphasis on the devil, witches, ghosts, and goblins. I’ll never forget when the kids in my neighborhood told me, “The devil is calling people on the phone and telling them ‘666’!” They were truly scared. Calmly…

by Jo Ann Butler About a year ago I was helping a lady from church who had cancer. I went to the grocery store for her and took her to treatments. One day last February I dropped her off at an appointment. When she called for me to pick her up, she asked if I’d…

by Esther Martinez Maschkywitz Are you on a budget? Or do you live in a small space and have run out of ideas of what to do with your children? That’s me! I admit, sometimes it’s so much easier to just turn on the TV and let that black box entertain them. But if you…

~ Make it a family project to draw a tree on colored paper and then tape it to the wall. ~ Find a large, bare branch and tape ornaments onto it. ~ Tack a long ribbon across the top of a door. Attach cards and small stockings to it with paper clips. ~ Pick up…

by Amy Wedel (mom to six kids) As a mom, I want to make the Christmas season the best for my kids! This includes making cute homemade crafts, going to all the special Christmas programs, having the house totally decorated for Christmas, baking cookies for the neighbors, and of course, buying my children everything on…

by Rhonda Brown Here’s a simple Christmas craft you can do with your children (or make for your own personal space) to remind you that we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. You’ll need: * 3 empty toilet paper tubes * White paper * Scissors (children’s safety scissors work fine) * Colored pencils, markers…

by Elaine Mizuo What child can resist the bright colors and sweet taste of jelly beans? Grab a handful of jelly beans and share the story of Easter with your child by using the colors of the jelly beans to tell God’s story of forgiveness and hope for each one of us. (Helpful hint for…

by Cindy Hochart, RN, MBA, PMP Your child has a fever when his or her temperature is at least 1 degree higher than the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees. An increase in temperature is the body’s normal way to fight off sickness. Most doctors think that a temperature of up to 99.9 degrees is fine…

by Sybil Note to parents of females: It is neither okay nor appropriate to allow your daughters to go to public locations with swimsuits that cover less of their bodies than most of my wife’s lingerie does. Nor is it ok or appropriate to allow them to pierce locations on their bodies that make you…

by Nena Podbury Scripture provides encouragement as you work and raise a family. My alarm rings and I get out of bed, grab both kids and head downstairs for breakfast (juice and a cereal bar for myself). After I feed the kids, I turn the TV on, hoping 20 minutes of cartoons will occupy them…

by Eloise Daniel excerpts taken from her book, Amongst the Ruins. Editor's Note: Mother’s Day is a 100-year-old tradition in the United States. There are other countries that have a day to celebrate motherhood, but others don’t. For the most part it’s a good holiday. But for some people, it can stir up hurting emotions.…

by Karen Duckett Take about 15 minutes before you go to bed to straighten up your home. Put shoes and toys away, straighten up papers, hang up jackets. In the morning it will feel great to have a fresh start in a clean space! Get your kids to help = extra bonus! Make your bathroom…

2 cups pumpkin seeds 1 Tbsp. oil (corn, sunflower) 1 Tbsp. butter (or margarine) [[MELTED?]] 1 - 2 tsp. salt Separate the seeds from pumpkin pulp. (Just pull the fibers and excess pulp off the seeds. There’s no need to wash them. Leaving some of the flesh on the seeds gives them a wonderful pumpkin…

by Janey White, MS, RDN Holidays are an extra busy time of year, and sometimes it feels as If we’re running out of energy. So whether you’ve added more activities to your day or you are just going about your normal day, fall is a great time to stock up on some brain fuel to…

by Janey White, MS, RDN Have you ever wanted to help your kids eat better, but didn’t know where to start? Most of us have felt that way at one point or another. Eating healthy can be a challenge for anyone, but especially those with little kids. The key is to talk about it with…

by Amy Wedel Tierra Madison may be only nineteen, but she lives by her favorite quote, “Don’t look back. Look forward!” Tierra’s story begins in Chandler, Arizona. This sunny location was certainly not what her life was like. Her mom was into alcohol, drugs and witchcraft, and her dad left when she was two years…

by JoAnn Butler I am a country girl but I lived 22 years in one of the toughest neighborhoods in New York City ... by choice! I want to share with you just three things that God showed me about how much I could do with Him living on the inside of me. Now, that’s…

by Elaine Mizuo When you see the ads for the back-to-school sales on TV, you know that summer days are soon coming to a close. Here are some tips to help your child ease into the daily routine of school. Two weeks before school starts Establish morning and nightly routines as these give your child…

by Ron Edmondson I was talking to a man the other day. He was hurt, but not severely. He will survive. Hopefully. The wounds aren’t deep right now. But he is injured. It’s an emotional hurt. Sometimes those are the worst kind. The person hurting him? His wife. And most likely she doesn’t even know…

by Amy Wedel It was a welcome change of scenery from our life in the city. We were hiking, alone in a forest of pine trees, dead leaves, busy squirrels, and small branches surrounding the path. The thick, vast bright colors of fall were everywhere we turned. All we could hear were birds, twigs breaking…

When I was a little girl, my mom always celebrated every holiday, whether it was Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, or the Fourth of July. You name the holiday — we had table decorations and traditional meals to celebrate it. I remember she’d even buy candy in the colors of each holiday and set it…

In a few short days we in the U.S. will be celebrating Thanksgiving. However, that will be my second Thanksgiving! That’s because I got to join in on the Canadian Thanksgiving in Papua New Guinea! Which reminds me … I’d like to jot a few lines down to give you a BIG PICTURE report. What…

by Jeanette Rivera with Tasha Michelle Hayes Who says it’s too late to get your high school degree? Just because you have children, or because you’re older than the average high school student, or you didn’t have enough credits to meet standard graduation, doesn’t mean it’s too late to go after your education. There is always…

inspired by Harvey Mackay Ducks Quack Eagles Soar Attitude Adjustment That’s Doable No one can make you serve customers well. That’s because great service is a choice. Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver who proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab…

by Elaine Mizuo   Whether it’s a sweet smile from a baby, a happy smile of a child, a casual smile between strangers, or a contagious smile between friends, a great smile can go a long way. The average woman smiles about 62 times a day. Kids laugh around 400 times a day. Everyone loves…

Serina from the Queens asks: Why should I get a flu shot ? Flu Shots are very important to stop  the flu. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get a flu shot (or to “get vaccinated”) each year. The flu shot is actually a flu vaccine that contains the killed…

  Merry Christmas!       Reach UP is celebrating its one year anniversary!  [[retro editorial, visit it Winter 2012 – nine years today]] It’s been a great year, and I thank YOU for letting Reach UP come into your home.       This issue, Doug Stringer of Somebody Cares America talks to women, especially single mothers, about…

by Tierra Davidson Our Spring 2015 issue featured the informative article, “Abuse Happens,” which helped us understand the cycle of domestic abuse towards the adult woman and how to get free. In this issue, Tierra Davidson gives you tips on how to recognize and help a child who has been or is currently in an…

“I never thought it would be like this. I’m so tired.” The tall blond standing in front of our booth table was probably striking in her looks a few months back. But today her eyes were sunken and it seemed there were some dark bruises on her face. Her hair was finger-combed and matted. Her…

Why do I crave certain foods? Tonia from Brooklyn asks, Why do I crave certain foods? Eating certain foods like pasta, rice, bread, and sweets will raise your blood sugar levels. It also temporarily elevates the levels of certain chemicals in our bodies, which acts like keys to unlock other chemicals. The main one in…

Many organizations and churches gear up for fantastic outreach events at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. Often gifts of food, clothing or toys are given. Or perhaps a special service or event is planned complete with tickets and transportation. But what really stays with the recipient? What, beyond a faint memory, do the women have as a reminder…