Welcome! 
Home
Support Groups Emergency Support Help for Caretakers
Support Groups
Karen - Support Center Manager
Support Groups are FREE!
Groups are POSITIVE, SAFE & COMFORTABLE!!!
"As part of Reaching Out staff, the support groups are my 'second family.' It's unusual when we have never met, but we share all of our ups and downs, and can be totally ourselves."
Groups operate through e-mail so you participate when it's convenient for you.
Your information is NEVER sold or given to anybody.
You're in control here! You decide what information you give out about yourself.
Groups stay small so you won't get overwhelmed by several topics at once or hundreds of emails from people you don't know.
You'll be in control of how much email you get. Ask about the options you can choose from.
We're always around to help.
It's easy to sign up for a group!
Just use the e-mail link and tell us the your name, name you wish to use for the group, and that you agree to the privacy policy (see below).
Debi - another terrific Reaching Out group member
While we all hate Fibro, we all seem to know there is also a gift and a message to be learned from it. I've never heard anyone in the victim mode in this group. A very rare and special thing for chronic pain people.
or
Use the e-mail link and put in the subject line, "I want to join a support group!" We'll write you back and ask for your information.
What's in a name?
Even though we do ask for your first and last name, we understand that sometimes, for personal reasons, you cannot or will not give it out. That's OK! We're more intested in having you join and get the support you need. So, go ahead and  make up a name. It's OK! It's very important to us that you feel safe!
Wilma - One of our Reaching Out Support Group members
Emergency Support
We're here to meet with you, one on one, in an emergency situation.
"With friends and family not understanding and questioning the fact that 'I' have FM/CFIDS, I have found hope and new life being in a few online FM/CFIDS groups. The girls and guys have helped me learn to 'pace myself' and that it's 'okay' to rest. I now have friends that share this terrible disabling illness that are only an e-mail away, to talk, to empathize or just to vent...they have become my 'family'!"
Eviction notice
Loss of power
Can't afford medications
We're not professionals. We're simply survivors who have come across resources, information, or other useful helpful tips to help others in an emergency situation.
To meet with us, send an e-mail with:
Your  name
3 dates and times you can meet (plan on at least an hour meeting)
Brief description of your problem so we can prepare to help you.
Linda, group member and staff
"I was so lucky to find such a wonderful group of friends that I know would be there for me in a heartbeat, and me, for all of you!"
Maggie (group member) & her husband  (one Halloween).
"Some days just having a friendly note from someone, asking how you are doing, telling a joke...lets me know that I am important in this world and someone who isn't dependant on me really does care is if I  live or die. Sometimes the pain and fatigue of this disease wears away your soul and it is important to connect with another person who understands. Being involved in this group really fills that bill. It fills my soul with hope and joy.
I feel very much at home with this wonderful group of people..all of you have been a gift in my life. Everybody has been so kind, welcoming and supportive. I am blessed. I enjoy the postive atmosphere and delightful sense of humor.   --Anonymous
Cuz, group member and staff
"Support Groups can be the key to dealing with these illnesses. In my case they are my life-line. A distant cousin introduced me to her (Reaching Out) support group and they asked me to join. Now I had a whole group of people who understood! Support groups have become my savior, my second family, and a place I can be me."       --Carrie (Cuz)
Myra and her Finacee, Harrison. Myra is in a support group and also a staff member.
"We have FUN here! We understand here. We're not alone here. We belong here and all are welcome to join our 'family.'"  --Sparrow
"This is a wonderful place to feel at home with people with these diseases. The people are absolutely wonderful...I don't know where I'd be right now without this wonderful group. It has been a blessing to me and my family. Thank you so much for being there."
If you're a caretaker or just simply care about someone with one of these illnesses and need support yourself, simply write us. We have a few people who will write with you confidentially to give you support. We also have a few other resources if you need them. Write and ask!
Reaching Out Privacy Policy
We here at Reaching Out are committed to protecting your privacy and security. We do NOT give out or sell any information about our members or visitors to any other party without your express consent. We at Reaching Out will never participate in SPAM.

Although we do request your first and last name when you sign up for group or chat services, we will use your last name (and real first name, if you so request in your initial e-mail) for our own classification purposes only. Your last name will not be revealed to anyone by Reaching Out, including your fellow group members, unless you give permission to do so. We do gather information about our members to share with other members at times for such events as birthdays and anniversaries. We may send these lists around in that member's group, with their permission. However, we cannot be responsible for any consequences resulting from our members revealing any personal information about themselves to their fellow group members or visitors, in postings, chat or by any other means.

We also require anyone who signs up for a support group, hereby also known as "member" to agree to the following:

NO member of Reaching Out will give ANY personal information about anyone else outside their respected group. Basically, this means that everyone involved in a support group AGREES NOT to talk about anyone in their group to anyone outside of that group. This includes not only their own support group, but also if they come in contact with other Reaching Out support groups. The only excpetion to this is if the person, him or herself, gives permission for that information to be sent around to other groups. If, however, there is a comment made by someone which you feel is a breach of confidentiality, please report this to Reaching Out staff.

Reaching Out staff will also abide by the above conditions. Reaching Out staff do have, however, the following exceptions to these privacy policies:
We will release specific information about you or your participation on this site and any groups connected to it in order to comply with any valid legal process such as a search warrant, court order, or subpoena.
We will release information about you to appropriate authorities in the event that you use this site or any group associated with this site to commit any crime, or to attempt any form of security breach of this site or its included groups.
We also reserve the right to eject any group or chat participant for any violation of our policies, deemed so by the staff.
Haven Advocate Home Our Stories What's New?