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.
Together we are the threads that weave the fabric of Alaska’s wellness.
In this year’s Community Impact Report, you will find this theme of connection on every page. Our impact is your impact, our partners’ impact, and our community’s impact.
Stories of Impact
Connecting the Thoughts: Tyler overcomes his doubts to graduate Day Treatment
“Okay, listen. Listen. You need to fix yourself because you’re going down a path you don’t want to go down. It’s not worth it. It’s not worth it.”
That’s what Tyler says he would have told himself a year ago, when he thought friends were just people that smoked together. When he thought his probation officer was bluffing about drug testing. When he thought no one cared about him.
Today, Tyler says he feels “like my life is going super, super well right now.” He’s 15, loves riding his longboard, and just started his first job at a fast-food restaurant.
'Not Just Housing:' Partnering with Covenant House to end the experience of houselessness
Madison was 21 when she first visited Covenant House Alaska’s youth shelter in downtown Anchorage. Already struggling with suicidal thoughts when she was kicked out of her home, Madison found a supportive team committed to helping her heal and succeed.
Chris Reppel, a mental health clinician with VOA Alaska, was one of those people. Chris first began his work at Covenant House in 2019 as part of an ongoing partnership between VOA and the shelter.
'Just a Part of My Day:' Partnering with schools to increase access to care for Anchorage's students
On the first week of classes, a student visited the mental health clinician, Mi’chelle McCoy’s, office at Romig Middle School. The student was experiencing severe social anxiety, crying, throwing up, and missing class. They had recently suffered the loss of close family members and were being passed between homes.
To support the student, Mi’chelle walked with them to class and even sat with them when needed most. She worked with the family, teachers, and school staff to identify ways they could best support the student. During their sessions, Mi’chelle worked with them on positive reinforcement, exposure therapy, and helped them untangle harmful thinking patterns surrounding her fear of social situations.
'Connection is the Key:' Empowering families to join their youth on the journey of recovery and healing
Fifteen years ago, Lori received an early morning call from the police. They explained that her daughter had just given birth in her home, and if Lori didn’t come get the baby, he would be turned over to the state. Still in her nightgown, she slipped on her boots and drove over to pick up her grandson.
“It’s important for family to be together,” Lori says. “I don’t want my grandchildren out there. I’d rather make sure they’re safe with us.”
Years later, when Lori got another call, this time from VOA Alaska, it was a welcome surprise.
Who We Serve
* Fiscal Year 2022 includes dates July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022
Our Impact
Our Supporters
VOA Alaska sincerely appreciates the organizations and community members who joined with us in Fiscal Year 2022 to support Alaska’s youth and families.
As a non-profit organization, achieving our mission would not be possible without the contributions of cash, time, and other resources from the champions listed here.
Thank you for helping VOA Alaska spread hope and eliminate suffering for youth and families in need across our state.
- Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Providence Health and Services Alaska
- Rasmuson Foundation
- Trend Alaska Fashion Show
- Alaska Community Foundation
- Campbell Monroe Foundation
- Alaska Airlines Foundation*
- Alaska Children’s Trust
- Alaska Magazine*
- Aspen Hotels of Alaska*
- ConocoPhillips Alaska
- GCI
- iHeart Media Inc*
- Kendall Auto Group*
- Laura Modeling and
Talent Agency* - Royal Caribbean Group
- Southern Glazers Wine
and Spirits* - The Carr Foundation
- Thompson & Co*
- Tudor Bingo
- Wells Fargo Foundation
* Includes in-kind donations.
- Huna Totem Corporation
- Liz Harpold
- Odom Corporation*
* Includes in-kind donations.
- Best Storage Tudor*
- Conrad Houston Insurance
- Holland America*
- Ingrid Klinkhart
- K&L Distributors*
- Matson Navigation
- Richard Edward Benedetti
- SecureTrans, Inc.
- Sleeping Lady Mountain Lions Club*
- TOTE Maritime Alaska
- True North Federal Credit Union
- Van’s Dive Bar*
* Includes in-kind donations.
- Ace Hardware
- Agnew Beck
- Consulting, LLC
- Ahtna, Inc.
- Akimbo Collection*
- Alaska Channel
- Alaska Helicopter Tours*
- Alaska Native Heritage Center*
- Alaska Peace Officers Association
- Alaska Railroad Corporation*
- Alaska Rock Gym*
- Alaska Seaplanes
- Alaska Wildland Adventures*
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center*
- Alaska Youth Orchestras*
- Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association
- Alex Ivanoff
- Alison Mccullough
- Alma John
- Aloft Anchorage*
- Alyeska Resort*
- Amanda Estes
- Amanda Hawes
- Amanda Wills
- Amber Crozier
- Amber Zins
- Amie Otis
- Amy Gannon
- Amy Jordan
- Amy Lester
- Anchorage Yoga*
- Andrea Schmidt
- Andy Lohman
- Annelise Hartley
- Arctic Luxe*
- Ariel Cannon
- Ariel Serrano
- Aurora Agee
- Bagoy’s Florist
- Barbara Hostetler
- Benita Washburn
- Bering Sea Designs*
- Bernice Oyagak
- Beth Steele
- Borealis Basecamp*
- Brandy Stratman
- Bre Cason
- Bridgette Evermann
- Britnee Brower
- Brooke Ivy
- Bryan Berndt
- Callie Webber
- Candice Cahill
- Caribou Crossings*
- Carolyn Heyman
- Carpenters Union
- Carrs/Safeway
- Casey Pape
- Cecelia Mckinley
- ChaSae Harris
- Cherie & Mike Barker
- Chris Dimond
- Chris Peacock
- Chris Taylor
- Cindy Shake
- Cooley Tax + Accounting Inc.
- Copper River Fleece*
- Cyrano’s Theatre Company*
- Danielle Garroutte
- Darci Ahlin-Stieren
- David Washburn
- Davina Gosnick
- Debora Cizmowski
- Deborah Ferrell
- Debra Phelps-Jaso
- Dena Lythgoe
- Denali Bluffs Hotel
- Denali Daniels + Associates
- Denali Glass Studio*
- Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge*
- Don Winchester
- Donna Stein
- Dorothy Lord Matthew
- Double Shovel*
- Doyon Limited
- Catherine Anne Morrison
- Elizabeth Hall
- Elizabeth Manning
- Ella Craig
- Erica Koitzsch
- Erika Kelly
- Extreme Fun Center*
- Francy Bennett
- Gary Cartwright
- Glen Kratochvil
- Go Hike Alaska*
- Goldies Coffee Roasters*
- Grace Obrien
- Grande Denali Lodge*
- Green Connection*
- Haven Harris
- Heather Handyside
- Heidi Koski
- Hillery Lesh
- Holly Johnson
- Ivy Cerdena
- Jack Jajewski
- Jacqueline McKnight
- James Christmas
- Jamey Cagle
- Jan Estes
- Jay Dodson
- Jeanine Thomas
- Jeffrey Wilcox JR
- Jena McCotter
- Jennifer Green
- Jennifer Williams
- Jessi Ziegler
- Jessica Begnal
- Jessica Rauchenstein
- Jill Hensel
- JL Properties
- Joanie Thor-Libbey
- John Hall’s Alaska
- John Lunn
- John Todd
- Johnathan Sommer
- Joni Vakalis
- Josh Norum
- Joyce Sommer
- Judith Alger
- Julia Luey
- Juliah Barnett
- Julie Macneil
- Julie Matson
- Julie Saupe
- Julio Perez
- Kaladi Brothers Coffee
- Kali Ann
- Karen King
- Karen Linnell
- Karen Padgett
- Kari Skinner
- Kari Spencer
- Karibu Gallery & Gifts*
- Kate Weisler
- Katharyn Rosselle*
- Kathleen Heinle
- Kathleen Rzeszut
- Kathryn Schreckenghost
- Kathy Mayo
- Katmai Oncology Group, LLC
- KC Hostetler
- Keja Whiteman
- Kelsey Fiedler
- Kelsey Rodriguez
- Kelsie Bates
- Kenai River Sportsfishing Association*
- Kerri Beauchesne
- Koniag
- Kris Miller
- Kris Palmatier
- Kristi Adams
- Kyle Dexter
- La Bodega*
- Laura Bruce
- Laura White
- Leann Sommer
- Leila Kimbrell
- Lennon Boswell
- Liberty Helgeson
- Lillith Moon*
- Linda Bowers
- Linda Grinde
- Lindsie Mills
- Lisa Lindquist
- Lisa Lord
- Lisa Marsh
- Logistics, LLC*
- Loren McCue
- Lori Nelson
- Lucille A Lincoln
- Lydia Cash*
- Lynden Transport
- Lynette Andersen
- Lynette Harple
- Madison Viens
- Major Marine Tours*
- Margaret Ratcliff
- Maricar Yuzon
- Marie Richardson
- Marietta Hall
- Marilyn Kerr
- Mark Schmeling
- Marsha Tyson
- Mat-Su Health Foundation
- Maureen Moore
- Meier Lake*
- Meka*
- Mercedes Angerman
- Mercy Nyaga Kuria
- Michael Estes
- Michael Schmidt
- Michael Sommer
- Michele Scott
- Michelle Hensel
- Michelle Marshall
- Michelle White
- Mikayla Savikko
- Milena Sevigny
- Miller’s Landing Kayak
- & Fishing*
- Missa Craig
- Monarch Technology
- Moose’s Tooth*
- Mountain Mama*
- Mya Renken
- Nancy Boxler
- Naomi Jorgensen
- Natalie Snyder
- Nepal O’Connor
- Nikki Wray
- Nordic Home*
- Northern Alaska Touring Company*
- Northern Wings*
- Northrim Bank
- Northwest Strategies
- Opal Heart*
- Pamela Leddy
- Patrick Fitzgerald
- Paul Axelson
- Paul Landes
- Penny Sorenson
- PIP Printing &
- Marketing Services*
- PJs Alaskan Wood
- Crafts, LLC*
- Premier Alaska Tours*
- Princess Cruises*
- Pure Barre*
- Qaulluq*
- Rachel Bethune
- Rebecca Baxter
- Rebecca Monagle
- Rebekah Mari
- Replacement Glass Co
- Rhonda Scott Fine Art*
- Rhoni Kay
- Riverside Community Church*
- Rosey Fletcher*
- Ruby Dee Buchanon
- Running Reindeer Ranch*
- Ryan Air
- Salmon Sisters*
- Salon Poppy*
- Salted Roots*
- Sarah Allison
- Sarah Baldwin
- Sarah Beck
- Sarah Dinger
- Schatzie Schaefers
- Selina Swartzel
- Sewing Together*
- Shannon Jones
- Shannon Renee Kashevarof
- Shauna Hegna
- Shawn Peterson
- Shelly Behm
- Shelly Wright Designs*
- Sheraton Anchorage*
- Sherrie Hinshaw
- Skinny Raven Sports*
- Sophia Amling
- Sophia Boudinova
- South Restaurant & Coffeehouse*
- Span Alaska Transportation
- Spawn Ideas
- Spoonline
- Stacy Barnes
- Stephanie Smith
- Stephanie Stillman
- Stephen Ohara
- Steve O’Hara
- Subway of Alaska Inc.*
- Summit Spice*
- Susan Ives
- Susan Mann
- Suzanne Carte-Cocroft
- Suzanne Davis
- Swoop*
- Tami Trotter
- Tara Stevens
- Teal Rogers
- Tent City Taphouse*
- Teresa Stankiewicz
- Teresa Vail
- Terraca Goolsby
- The Bake Shop*
- The Kobuk*
- Theresa Wilcox
- Thomas Cahill*
- Thomas Liverance
- Thomas Lux
- Thomas, Head &
- Greisen, PC
- Tiffany Vassar
- Timeri Noren
- Todd Helgeson
- Tom Turnbull
- Toni DeBoer
- T’Shalla Baker
- UAA Athletics*
- UGG*
- UPS
- Vicki Paddock
- Virginia Peterson
- Visit Anchorage*
- VoiceComm LLC
- Wendi Bates
- Wendy Lindskoog
- Whaley Schmoyer*
- Wild Scoops*
- Wilderness Express*
- Wine Grotto*
- Wynn Moser
- Yvette Tousignant
- Zachary Durst
* Includes in-kind donations.
VOA Alaska had the honor of being the beneficiary of the 2022 Trend Alaska Fashion Show. Nearly 400 Alaskans came together to celebrate fashion in Alaska while rising over $125,000 to support essential mental health services for the youth who turn to VOA for healing.
The highlight of the night was the “Phoenix,” designed by Cynthia Gibson to celebrate the resilience of Alaska’s youth. Members of the VOA Alaska team and youth residents of ARCH joined the “Phoenix” on stage holding signs displaying our core values as the entire room cheered.