Barbara is Assistant Director of the Life Reaching Across to Life Organization (Reaching Across) in Fremont, California.  She began volunteering at Reaching Across when she was in seminary, and after she graduated, she joined the staff as Assistant Director.  It serves many people with serious mental illness.  Barbara regards her work at Reaching Across as a core of her ministry.

Reaching Across is a peer-led program where people with emotional problems and illnesses help each other and help themselves by offering mutual support and by listening to speakers. Everyone in the program is encouraged to share responsibility for the program by taking an active part in it.

Reaching Across is a multi-service center offering support groups, peer counseling, and wellness activities including:

• Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) groups
• Computer literacy classes
• Benefits and housing counseling
• Yoga and meditation
• Peer support groups such as a weekly Interfaith Depression and Sadness Support Group
• Arts and crafts activities

Reaching Across is one of the programs of the Alameda County Network of Mental Health Clients.