WithinReach

From "Medicaid Baby" to Chief Operating Officer.

At WithinReach, we often talk about how the right resource at the right time can change the entire trajectory of a family’s life. For our new COO, José Villalobos, that isn't just an organizational creed—it is his reality.

When José was just four years old, living in a rural migrant farm-working community in Walla Walla, his appendix ruptured. He was rushed into emergency surgery with a 50/50 chance of survival. Medicaid didn’t just make healthcare accessible—it literally saved him.

José’s full-circle journey with WithinReach is incredible:

2012: Joined our team on the front lines, answering hotline calls and doing rural outreach to connect Spanish-speaking and migrant families to the exact same life-saving resources (like Medicaid and WIC) that supported his own childhood.

2026: Steps into the role of Chief Operating Officer, leading the macro-level operations, data systems, and budgets that impact thousands of families across Washington State.

When someone with deep lived experience leads the way, it changes how we look at systemic impact. Every data point we track is a family. Every system we build is a lifeline.

Please join us in celebrating José’s incredible journey and leadership as we continue building a future where no family is left to struggle in isolation. 💙

👉 Read the full conversation on our blog to learn more about José’s story, his roots in the Walla Walla Farm Labor Camp, and his vision for the future of WithinReach: https://withinreachwa.org/a-conversation-with-jose-villalobos

Last call to join us for the Help Me Grow Washington Impact Report Lunch & Learn!

On Tuesday, June 23, we’ll gather from 12–1 p.m. to reflect on what’s possible when a statewide network comes together to support families across Washington.

There’s still time to register and join the conversation.

📅 Friday, June 23
🕛 12–1 p.m.

Register here: https://ow.ly/4Kqa50Za9jH

We hope to see you there!