VOA Alaska

?? Join us for our upcoming Anchorage Youth Speak Out event in April! ?? Anchorage Youth Speak Out (AYSO) is a free public event held three times a year. It provides a powerful platform for youth to candidly share their personal experiences with substance use and its effects on their lives. This gathering not only raises awareness but also drives community engagement and action. At the next event on April 19, 2025: ?Hear experiences from youth about the impacts of substances and their recovery journeys. ?Learn about current youth substance use data trends and tips for building youth resiliency skills. ?Discuss how to work together to build a healthier community for our youth. ??Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025 ??Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm ??Location: Wilda Marston Theatre, 3600 Denali St, Anchorage, AK 99503 ?? RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gVD69KKM Hosted by VOA Alaska, in collaboration with the Anchorage Adolescent Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition, Center for Safe Alaskans, the Anchorage Health Department, Alaska Department of Health, and American Lung Association of Alaska.

Our 2024 Community Impact report is now available to view and download! Visit our website at voaak.org/impact2024 to see how VOA Alaska impacted and empowered over 3,000 Alaskans last year.

Join Our Team at VOA Alaska! ??? We’re hiring for various positions, and we want you to be part of our mission to empower Alaska’s youth and families. As you focus on caring for others, we make sure to care for you with comprehensive benefits for all full-time employees, including: ? Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, vision, dental, Rx, and even pet insurance! ?Work-Life Balance – 192 hours of PTO in your first year, 11 paid holidays, Family Medical Leave, and 8 weeks of paid Parental Leave. ? Income Stability – 403(b) retirement plan, pension contributions, life insurance, and mileage reimbursement. ? Wellness Support – Employee Assistance Program, bereavement leave, and flexible unpaid leave options. ? Professional Growth – Access to training, workshops, and in-house development opportunities. ? Career Advancement – Clinical supervision for licensure and a commitment to promoting from within. Join a team where there are no limits to caring and where your work truly makes a difference. Learn more and explore our open positions at voaak.org/careers!

Keagan's first experience in residential treatment felt easy—he knew he'd be returning home to a support system of family and friends. However, soon after graduating from VOA Alaska's Adolescent Residential Center for Help (ARCH), his old habits resurfaced, and the cracks in his support system deepened. He found himself back at ARCH for a second round of treatment, but this time was different. Read more about Keagan's story of overcoming substance use and building resilience at https://lnkd.in/gKfkzea5.

VOA Alaska's leadership team has been actively advocating in Juneau recently, engaging with legislators and key officials to highlight the organization's impact on the community and state. President/CEO Julia Luey and other leadership members have participated in meetings to strengthen connections and support policies that improve behavioral health services. During the Alaska Behavioral Health Association Fly-In last week, the team met with key leaders, including Division of Behavioral Health Director Tracy Dompeling and Division of Juvenile Justice officials Matt Davidson and Rob Heide. Our VOA leadership voiced support for several bills, including: ??SB 41 – Public Schools: Mental Health Education: Expands mental health education within the school health curriculum, with input from state and tribal health organizations. ??HB 73 / SB 76 – Complex Care Residential Homes: Establishes a new category of 24-hour residential care homes for individuals with specialized medical, behavioral, or disability-related needs, contingent on federal Medicaid approval. ??SB 45 – Medicaid Mental Health Parity: Requires the Department of Health to implement and ensure compliance with federal parity provisions applicable to the state medical assistance program and requires an annual report on mental health and substance use coverage parity. Additionally, VOA Alaska supports securing $13 million in the state budget to address unsustainable behavioral health provider rates and delays in Medicaid rate re-basement. Thank you to Julia and our leadership team for their dedication to advocating for a stronger behavioral health system in Alaska!

After experiencing a significant loss, Kaylyssa’s mother turned to VOA Alaska for support, hoping to help her daughter navigate the overwhelming grief. At the time, Kaylyssa was in third grade, and the emotional weight was making it difficult for her to manage her emotions and stay focused in class. Kaylyssa began receiving care from G, one of VOA’s School-Based Clinicians. Our School-Based Services program is designed to meet students exactly where they are—ready to help in moments like these. With licensed clinicians placed directly in schools throughout Anchorage, Kaylyssa and other students can quickly connect, or reconnect, with the right support. Read more of Kaylyssa's story here: https://lnkd.in/gp-FhYKC

You don't have to do it alone.?VOA Alaska’s Family Services team supports families raising relative children as well as ALL families with youth in our care. From youth early intervention to caregiver and family therapy, our team supports you and your family. And with our home-based services, we’ll come to you! Learn more about VOA Alaska's Family Services at voaak.org/family!

At fourteen, Val moved from Missouri to Anchorage to live with his father, leaving behind a troubled past marked by abuse. Hoping for a fresh start, he soon faced new challenges—within his family and his mental health. In search of support, Val found VOA Alaska. His journey began in the Outpatient Mental Health program, where he worked with a therapist to improve his well-being. He then transitioned to the Supportive Housing program with the goal of securing stable housing. Read more of Val's story of resilience at https://lnkd.in/gfYk-qwA ??

VOA Alaska’s Christopher Walden School of Hope is a day treatment program that helps youth ages 12-18 overcome barriers in their continued recovery. By combining therapeutic support with academic services, we empower youth to strengthen their recovery, build relationships, and stay on track with school—all in a safe, structured environment. With Anchorage School District teachers ensuring academic progress, students can focus on both their education and their healing.?? Learn more about VOA's Christopher Walden School of Hope at https://lnkd.in/grYV3HTC!

On February 22, VOA Alaska’s Fireweed Society gathered for the first time since the group’s inception for a members-only event! Society members joined VOA youth and staff for an evening of connection and Fur Rondy activities, including the debut of ‘Hey Bou,’ a snow sculpture inspired by and commissioned by the Fireweed Society, which won second place in this year’s Alaska State Snow Sculpture Championship. Get the full recap of the Fireweed Society's first members-only event here: https://lnkd.in/gVEz_VKn