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 Vision
A community that supports the hope, health, and healing of every Alaskan.
Our Mission
To empower Alaskans and uplift the human spirit through recovery services, housing, and promoting healthy communities.
Our Values
COURAGE to take risks, make changes, and find strength in failure.
CONNECTION to remind ourselves and others, we are not alone.
HOPE to lend strength to faith, knowing we can recover, we can rebuild, we are resilient.
INNOVATION to spark creativity and collaboration as we strive to positively disrupt the status quo.
JOY to see the light which shines through the darkness that may come our way
RESPONSIBILITY to meet and explore the need while holding true to the highest standards of excellence.
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.
In 2024, VOA Alaska reached over 3,200 youth, young adults, and families across the state.
Imagine a lunchroom filled with 100 young Alaskans.* They are high schoolers, each representing communities from all over our state—yet they share an invisible burden.
• 41 of them feel like they don’t matter.
• 43 of them feel so sad or hopeless, daily for two weeks in a row, they stop doing their usual activities.
• 46 of them feel isolated and alone.
And tragically, 19 of them have attempted suicide in the past year, and 23 of them are considering it. These alarming numbers make Alaska the state with the highest youth suicide rate in the country.
You know one of these kids. Maybe it’s someone you know, perhaps a student of yours, a friend of your child, or even your own child.
This is where VOA Alaska steps in.
Read the Latest News and Stories from VOA Alaska
Second chances: Keagan’s story
A story of overcoming trauma and finding resilience during their second round of treatment with VOA Alaska's residential treatment center, ARCH.
Healing Through Music: Kaylyssa’s story
A story of youth finding healing and resilience through music and therapeutic services with VOA Alaska's School-Based Services program.
On His Terms: Val’s Story of finding Resilience
A story of overcoming trauma and finding resilience.
Fireweed Society’s First Gathering: Celebrating Connection and Creativity during Fur Rondy
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...
Second chances: Keagan’s story
A story of overcoming trauma and finding resilience during their second round of treatment with VOA Alaska’s residential treatment center, ARCH.
Healing Through Music: Kaylyssa’s story
A story of youth finding healing and resilience through music and therapeutic services with VOA Alaska’s School-Based Services program.
On His Terms: Val’s Story of finding Resilience
A story of overcoming trauma and finding resilience.
Fireweed Society’s First Gathering: Celebrating Connection and Creativity during Fur Rondy
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
The Fireweed Society: Building a Brighter Future for Alaska’s Youth
The Fireweed Society, launched in 2024 with 33 members from the Anchorage community, was created to unite individuals who share VOA Alaska’s mission and passion for helping kids in crisis.