In honor of Mother’s Day, the REACH team reflected on what the holiday means to them and how the maternal influences in their lives inspire the work that they do.
Many folks on the REACH team are mothers themselves, as are many of the survivors who walk through our door. A big reason why we do this work is to create a better world for future generations, and those future generations include the children that we as mothers and role models look after.
If you’re inspired by the testimonials below and you’d like to support our work, we encourage you to donate, volunteer, or help your own communities in whatever ways work best for you.
Bianca Ruiz – REACH Director of Residential Programs
“As a mom of three, Mother’s Day holds a lot of layers for me. It’s a moment to slow down and reflect, but also to recognize the constant balancing act that comes with both motherhood and this work. Being a parent deeply shapes how I show up every day—especially in this field. It’s impossible not to see the families we support through that lens, and it strengthens both my empathy and my urgency.
Motherhood has made me more patient, more protective, and more committed to creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and seen. It’s also made me more aware of the kind of world I want my children to grow up in—one where dignity, safety, and equity aren’t negotiable. That perspective drives me, even on the hardest days.
At the same time, I’ve learned how important it is to model balance and boundaries—for my kids and for myself. This work is heavy, and being a mom reminds me that caring for myself is part of caring for others, too.”
Lauren Nackel – REACH Director of Operations and Human Resources
“I've been working with survivors of domestic violence for over 15 years. Recently becoming a mother has only deepened my resolve that we need organizations like REACH to provide in-the-moment support to survivors, but even more so, that investing in prevention efforts is paramount.
When you really think about it, the domestic violence movement has only been around for a short period of time and while so much has changed, it's not yet enough. Being a mom only deepens my belief that children of all gender identities need access to learning about healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships. And hopefully, with that shift, by the time my child is an adult, we won't need organizations like REACH any longer.”
Sasha Johnson – REACH Residential Advocacy Team Leader
“This year, I’ll be celebrating my 27th Mother’s Day. Each year is truly a blessing. Today, I am a proud mother of three and a grandmother of two.
Mother’s Day means resilience, growth, and unconditional love to me. I became a mother as a teenager and finished high school with a three-month-old in my arms. From that moment on, it felt like it was me against the world. I had to grow up quickly, making decisions not just for myself, but for my child without ever having done it before.
I had to find my voice, build my courage, and believe in myself, even when others doubted me or spoke negatively, whether to my face or behind my back. I became everything my child needed: the provider, the nurturer, the caretaker.
It wasn’t easy, and there were times I felt overwhelmed, but I never gave up. I held on to hope, practiced patience, and kept fighting every day to build a better life for both of us. Mother’s Day, for me, is a reminder of that strength, that journey, and the love that kept me going.”
Mari Vara-Pineda – REACH Bilingual Community Advocate & Intake Coordinator
“Mother’s Day is a meaningful reminder of how much motherhood shapes who I am, both personally and in my work. As a Mexican American mom of two boys, I carry forward the strong, traditional values I was raised with, while also creating space to do things in a way that reflects the life we are building today.
My children are my world, and they motivate me every day to lead with compassion, strength, and purpose, both at home and in the work I do to support others. A quote that resonates with me is, “Échame tierra y verás cómo florezco,” often attributed to Frida Kahlo, which reflects the resilience and growth that motherhood has brought into my life.”
Hillel Bromberg – REACH Grants Manager
“My life was blessed with two incredible mothers – my biological mom and my mother-in-law – both were amazing role models in different ways. My bio mother was warm, funny, loving, artistic, truly a lifelong learner, and a talented teacher (she was still teaching her synagogue class a week before her cancer diagnosis at 92 years old).
My wife’s mother started life with significant emotional disadvantage and was way too capable and smart to tolerate her small Pennsylvania town. She overcame these difficulties and alcoholism to become a loving wife and mother, a published poet, and a stable presence and beloved friend to many. I am so lucky to have known and been loved by these two remarkable women.”
More on Mother’s Day from REACH
This blog post is just one part of how we’re celebrating Mother’s Day throughout the entire month of May. Be sure to visit our social media pages to see how our partner organizations and individual supporters have been stepping up to help our survivor clients in honor of Mother’s Day.
