We break down barriers and build up healthy families, one connection at a time.
WithinReach Impact Report
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO & BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Friends and Partners,
As we reflect on the 2024–2025 fiscal year, one thing is clear—this was a year of profound political change. In the face of shifting priorities and fiscal uncertainty at both the state and federal levels, our resolve to Stand Up, Stand Strong for families across Washington has never been stronger.
While many programs faced difficult cuts, the state’s dedication to Help Me Grow Washington remained steadfast. We are deeply grateful to our political champions—Senator Claire Wilson and Representative Julio Cortes—for their leadership and unwavering support of this essential network that connects families to the right help at the right time.
Across the nation, dramatic changes in Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC programs, alongside troubling attacks on science-based vaccine access and information, continue to affect the families we serve. Yet, we remain undeterred. We are adapting, innovating, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our community partners to ensure that every family—especially those facing the greatest barriers—can navigate these challenges and access the supports they need.
Our commitment to reducing barriers and building systems of support is central to how we lead, how we partner, and how we create pathways that work for all families. In this moment, when many are struggling to access the resources they need, our work is both essential and urgent
As you read through this year’s report, you will see the impact we have made together. Every number, every story, and every success is a testament to your belief in our mission and to the power of collective action.
Thank you for standing with us, for standing up for families, and for standing strong in the belief that a better future is possible—and worth fighting for.
With gratitude,
Sharon Silver
Chief Executive Officer
Rupin Thakkar, MD
2024-2025 President, Board of Directors
Our Impact
13,015 Families Directly Served by Staff
84,723 Users of our self-service tools (websites, Benefit Finder, Resource Finder, and WIC clinic locator)
Total Served: 97,738
73%
of callers receive basic needs resources and support, such as food, WIC, financial, housing or utility assistance
57%
of callers WithinReach serves identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC)
72%
of individuals WithinReach serves are low-income
Reaching Families from Around the World
20% of callers preferred a language other than English
WithinReach served callers in at least 30 different languages. While 13% selected Spanish, here are some of the other languages requested.
Highlights from the Year
CONNECT
In Washington state, our families and communities count on us to be their primary link to essential early childhood resources. We’re proud to deliver a coordinated and comprehensive system of support, ensuring that every child and family has a clear path to the care they need.
Our Help Me Grow Washington Hotline is at the heart of this work. In 2024, our team responded to an impressive 16,496 requests for support, directly serving 12,122 children and 892 pregnant people across the state.
To make this support even more accessible, we launched a new website, HelpMeGrowWA.org, in February 2024. This fully revamped online hub is now the single, comprehensive destination for families, providers, and partners to find essential resources on health, food, basic needs, and more. The new site retains the widely used ParentHelp123 Resource Finder search tool, which families have come to rely on.
“The representative was very kind and took the time to listen to me and provide me info for additional resources I was not aware of.” — A family served by the HMG WA Hotline
PARTNER
We are committed to co-designing the Help Me Grow Washington System in collaboration with communities and key partners. This approach ensures all families receive the right support, when they need it most.
Our partnership with the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WCAAP) is a prime example of this work. Through this collaboration, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the challenges pediatricians face, such as feeling unable to meet the complex needs of families. Dr. Lelach Rave, a pediatrician and co-chair of the WCAAP Legislative Committee, shared her passion for this work, calling Help Me Grow Washington the “perfect antidote” to professional burnout. This collaboration is building a more holistic and supportive system for Washington families.
“Help Me Grow is the perfect antidote to the feelings of demoralization pediatricians experience when we can’t meet all the needs of the families we serve,” Dr. Rave says. “It’s a resource that helps us provide holistic support and gives families access to the care and assistance they need to thrive.”
ADVOCATE
We are committed to advocating for a future where every family has the resources they need to thrive. By bringing together diverse partners and aligning our efforts, we build systems that are both effective and equitable.
Our annual Learning Series is a key part of this work. In February 2025, we hosted a five-day event that convened over 160 professionals from a variety of sectors, including Public Health and Child & Family Services. The series featured 10 distinguished speakers from organizations like Seattle Children’s and the University of Washington, all of whom shared critical insights on supporting families.
A standout moment came from our keynote speaker, Dr. Ben Danielson, who passionately underscored the importance of building systems that support families at every stage of their journey. The series was an invaluable platform for sharing best practices, sparking solutions, and exploring how strong community partnerships and policy advocacy can ensure resources are within reach for every family.
“Despite all the heaviness and challenges we are facing right now; I found myself looking forward to the noon presentations. I was buoyed by the energy, ideas, creativity and authentic compassion and care that all the folks put into their work. I felt this thread of hope, connection, respect and relationship throughout the week.” — Learning Series Attendee
WithinReach Board of Directors 2024-2025
Rupin Thakkar, President- Swedish Medical Group, General Pediatrician and Clinic Director, Swedish Pediatrics – Edmonds
Anna Rapp, First Vice-President- Independent Global Health Consultant
Gerard Fischer, Second Vice-President- Health Care Executive – Retired
Katy Cook, Secretary-Treasurer- Abacus Financial Planning, Principal and Chief Commercial Officer
Yuri Kim- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Program Officer – Economic Mobility & Opportunity
Thatcher Felt- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Pediatrician
Lauren Baba- Center for Community Health & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente, Evaluation & Learning Associate
Sheryll Namingit- Washington Healthcare Authority, Health Economics Research Manager
Krista Knutson- Bank of America, Commercial Real Estate Banking, Senior Vice-President, Senior Relationship Manager
Mary DeFranks- University of Washington Board Fellow
CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
Arcora Foundation
Ballmer Group
BTQ Financial
Confidence Foundation
Dynavax
Employees Community Fund of Boeing
GMMB
Kaiser Permanente
Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc.
Pritzker
Providence General Children’s Association
Seattle Children’s
Seattle Foundation
Seattle Strength & Performance
Vizient
Wellpoint
Windermere Foundation
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS
(gifts $1,000 and up)
Jon Almquist
Lauren Baba & Chris Merz
Richard & Katy Cook
Tricia & Jason Delles
Rosemary Dunkle
Robin Dushman & Richard Salomon
Diane Eelkema
Ginny English & Stephen Holt
Joanna Ewart
D. Fathi & Joelle Thirsk-Fathi
Thatcher Felt
Gerard Fischer
Victoria Fletcher
Kathryn Alvord Gerlich
Beth & James Goldsmith
Joan Greathouse
Kirsten & Jason Gudmundson
John & Nancy Hambacher
Laird Harris & Rebecca Brenneman
Regina Jones
Yuri Kim
Kay Knox & Lori Miller
Krista Knutson
Brenda Majercin
Edgar & Linda Marcuse
Jason Morse
Lilac Muller
Julie & Josh Prochnow
Anna & Ryan Rapp
Brian & Kim Sherrell
David Shurtleff
Hillary Shurtleff Dale Rankin
Sharon & GJ Silver
LaVone Simmons
Jordan Singer
Theresa Tamura
Katherine TeKolste & David Tempest
Rupin & Erin Thakkar
Sarah & Bryan Voelzke
Elaine & Paul VonRosenstiel
Marc Walters
Julia & Rob Weisenburger
Kerri & Tyler Whitworth
Financials
Coming Soon!
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