Who We Are
Since 1981, VOA Alaska has taken on the most difficult tasks to help our state's most underserved.
Volunteers of America (VOA) was founded in 1896 by Ballington and Maud Booth, who pledged to “go wherever we are needed and do whatever comes to hand.”
At the time, the concept of “volunteering” meant serving others as a vocation. While our understanding of the term has evolved, our dedication to serving others has not.
In 1981, VOA arrived in Alaska to open a youth residential treatment facility in Eagle River. These humble beginnings have now led to over 40 years of empowering Alaska’s youth and families through recovery services, housing, and promoting healthy communities.
Today, VOA Alaska provides a full continuum of care, from education and early intervention, to peer support and care coordination, to mental health therapy, substance use counseling, and family therapy, to supportive housing and residential treatment. We are in schools, in the community, and supporting Alaskans statewide via telehealth.
Our strength-based and person-centered services promote wellness in all areas of a person’s life. Those in our care steer the course of their journey. We walk alongside them, providing connection and services designed to help them achieve their most meaningful goals.
As a non-profit, these services are offered at low- or no-cost, and no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.
We are honored to be a part of the healing process for all people, families, and communities we serve.
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
Our vision is a community that supports the hope, health, and healing of every Alaskan.
Our mission is to empower Alaskans and uplift the human spirit through recovery services, housing, and promoting healthy communities.
We are driven by our values of courage, connection, hope, innovation, joy, and responsibility.
Our Strategic Focus
VOA Alaska exists to eliminate suffering for youth in Alaska, and to make Alaska a place where all youth can thrive. To achieve this, we’ve developed four Strategic Focus Areas:
- Client-Centered Services: Improved Client Experience
- Engage and Empowered Workforce: Improved Employee Experience
- Efficient Use of Resources: Lower Cost
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Better Outcomes
Under each of the four strategic focus area, several initiatives exist that represent the path forward to accomplishing our purpose.
Our Philosophy of Care
At VOA Alaska, we believe people can recover and heal from trauma, mental health concerns, substance misuse, and other life challenges. We believe in serving the whole person. We acknowledge that all people are worthy of wellness and humbly work to grow in a way that meets the needs of our community.
2022 Community Impact Report
In 2022, we emerged from the height of the pandemic bonded together in our fight to protect hope and help our youth, friends, and neighbors find healing.
Through it all, one thing has always been clear: no one stands alone.
We cannot end suffering for youth, alone. We cannot end the experience of youth houselessness, alone. We cannot show up every day for our clients and do this challenging work, alone.
Read the Latest News and Stories from VOA Alaska
Alaska’s young people are suffering. What are we doing to save them?
In an ADN opinion article, CEO Julia Luey highlights the potential for expanding services for young Alaskans.
Connecting to Culture: Empowering Youth with Culturally Grounded Activities
With support from Alaska Children's Trust, youth in VOA's programs learned how to bead bracelets and go ice fishing.
Talking with teens about underage drinking – Hometown, Alaska
Aaron Osterback, Coalition Coordinator, joined two teens on Alaska Public Media to talk about underage drinking.
From Crisis to Hope: Alaska’s youth mental health crisis and solutions to improve the overall system of care
A "Lunch and Learn" presentation in the Alaska State Capitol for legislators and their staff.
Alaska’s young people are suffering. What are we doing to save them?
In an ADN opinion article, CEO Julia Luey highlights the potential for expanding services for young Alaskans.
Connecting to Culture: Empowering Youth with Culturally Grounded Activities
With support from Alaska Children’s Trust, youth in VOA’s programs learned how to bead bracelets and go ice fishing.
Talking with teens about underage drinking – Hometown, Alaska
Aaron Osterback, Coalition Coordinator, joined two teens on Alaska Public Media to talk about underage drinking.
From Crisis to Hope: Alaska’s youth mental health crisis and solutions to improve the overall system of care
A “Lunch and Learn” presentation in the Alaska State Capitol for legislators and their staff.
Reflecting on Our Responsibility: A Message from CEO Julia Luey
As a direct-service provider on the front-lines of the youth mental health crisis, our responsibility takes us far beyond the walls of our offices.