Zoe’s Story
Zoe was sixteen when she stood in front of a ballroom full of national leaders in Washington, D.C. She looked down at the microphone, took a steady breath, and said,
“If it weren’t for ARCH, I wouldn’t be here. And without the support I’ve had since, I don’t think I’d still be sober.”
Before coming to VOA Alaska, my child struggled deeply. They faced severe bullying at school for being “different” and, after an autism diagnosis at a young age, felt isolated and unseen. Depression and self-harm became part of their daily reality.
The room went silent. People listened closely.
Zoe first publicly shared her story at the Christopher Walden Foundation’s annual Gala for Hope. Her honesty touched the room, and the Foundation later offered a scholarship so Zoe and Alicia could travel to Washington, D.C., with VOA Alaska CEO Julia Luey. Zoe was the only young person invited to speak at the American Society for Addiction Medicine’s annual Advocacy Conference. She didn’t give a
prepared speech. She simply told the truth about what treatment felt like for her, and how the support she received at and after her treatment at ARCH helped her stay sober.
Her words changed the tone of every conversation. Lawmakers didn’t just hear about youth treatment — they met a young person whose life depended on it.
Back home in Alaska, Zoe continues her care and now helps shape a new Youth Leadership Program so more young people can have a voice. ARCH gave her more than stability. It gave her the chance to imagine a different future. Zoe’s story reminds us why ARCH exists. When a young person feels safe,
supported, and heard, the path forward begins to open. And sometimes, their voice reaches farther than anyone expected.
