FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/20/24
Anchorage, Alaska – VOA Alaska and the Christopher Walden House of Hope celebrated their new partnership and a generous $100,000 gift during a renaming ceremony for VOA’s Day Treatment Program, now known as the Christopher Walden School of Hope. This program serves as a bridge between residential and outpatient programs, combining academic instruction, recreational activities, and therapeutic services and support. It is the only youth co-occurring (substance use and mental health) day treatment program in Alaska for teens.
“We are incredibly honored for this partnership and to honor Christopher’s memory in the work that we do here at VOA. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for the kids that we serve to find hope and an opportunity to really lean into the limitless potential that we all know that they have,” said Julia Luey, President and CEO of VOA Alaska.
The Christopher Walden House of Hope was founded in 2020 to provide desperately needed beds and resources in Alaska, in memory of Christopher Walden, who died of an overdose in 2019.
“We created the Christopher Walden House of Hope because we never wanted another family to experience what we went through when Christopher was in active addiction. We picked VOA Alaska because of the amazing work that they do with our at-risk young adults and kids. Our hope is that the work they do today for these young adults will help frame a successful path to their future, and we are honored to play a very, very small part in that mission,” said Dar Walden, mother of Christopher Walden and Board President of the Christopher Walden House of Hope.
“With the help of ARCH and Day Treatment, I have learned to set boundaries, coping skills, communication skills, how to understand triggers, and what healthy relationships look like. Because of my time with VOA, I feel empowered to take better care of myself and support those around me. Thank you, Christopher Walden House of Hope, for supporting VOA and what they’ve done for me,” said a youth who has engaged in VOA’s Day Treatment program.
About VOA Alaska:
As an Alaskan direct-service non-profit organization, VOA Alaska has empowered our state’s youth and families since 1981. Our services promote wellness in all areas of a person’s life through mental health therapy, substance use counseling, family therapy and kinship care, supportive housing, and residential treatment. Our vision is a community that supports the hope, health, and healing of every Alaskan. For more information, visit voaak.org.
Media Contact:
Dj Tyson, Director of Communications
(907) 419-4263 or djtyson@voaak.org
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