Who We Are
Since 1981, VOA Alaska has taken on the most difficult tasks to help the most underserved.
When the first Volunteers of America (VOA) was founded in 1896, 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 with the opening of ARCH, our youth residential treatment facility in Eagle River. Today, VOA Alaska is providing a range of mental, emotional, and behavioral healthcare and support services to youth and their families.
As a non-profit, VOA Alaska’s services are offered at low or no cost, and no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. Click here to learn more about fees and paying for services.
From prevention and early intervention, to mental health therapy, substance use counseling, family support, and peer support, to supportive housing and residential treatment, our team strives to meet the need of every child, teen, and young adult in our care.
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.
Embracing Our Shared Resiliency
In our 2021 Community Impact Report, discover how our team came together with a renewed sense of resiliency to face the year’s challenges and continue serving Alaska’s youth and families.
Read the Latest News and Stories from VOA Alaska
From Talking to Drawing, Here’s What Mental Health Therapy Looks like at VOA Alaska
VOA's behavioral health team uses a variety of therapy types to support the unique journeys of our youth.
Thank You for Being the Light!
In this month's newsletter, we recognize our many Be the Light Donors with a fun, short film.
A new United Way program is ‘changing the trajectory for Alaskan youth’
How local organizations like VOA Alaska are bringing support to Alaska kids who need help preparing for school and beyond.
Our Philosophy of Care
Our core beliefs as an organization and how those guide our approach to serving Alaska's youth and families.
From Talking to Drawing, Here’s What Mental Health Therapy Looks like at VOA Alaska
VOA’s behavioral health team uses a variety of therapy types to support the unique journeys of our youth.
Thank You for Being the Light!
In this month’s newsletter, we recognize our many Be the Light Donors with a fun, short film.
A new United Way program is ‘changing the trajectory for Alaskan youth’
How local organizations like VOA Alaska are bringing support to Alaska kids who need help preparing for school and beyond.
Our Philosophy of Care
Our core beliefs as an organization and how those guide our approach to serving Alaska’s youth and families.
Integration of therapy in schools normalizes mental health services
VOA and Providence school-based clinicians are a support network to students and staff, and improving long-term, academic success