Helping America’s most vulnerable®
2015 Annual Accountability Report
Volunteers of America is a charity
that always steps forward to help the
most vulnerable. For over 120 years,
we have taken on the most difficult
tasks to help the most underserved.
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Volunteers of America Alaska is part of a national organization founded in 1896 by Christian
reformers, Maud and Ballington Booth. I am proud to serve as the CEO of the Alaska affiliate. We
work in many areas of need in our community and serve residents with an array of needs from
across the state.
Our Mission is to reach and uplift all people. Our founders made the pledge ‘to go wherever they
were needed and to do whatever came to hand’. That continues to lead us today and as we began to
develop a current Strategic Plan, we were proud to have completed each goal in the past plan. The
new plan lays out a path for the future of Volunteers of America Alaska, our board and all levels of
staff worked on this plan to see that it addresses the vast needs of Alaska’s residents.
Volunteers of America Alaska has long worked in the field of addiction treatment and recovery, that
need is even greater than in past years. The sharp spike in Heroin and Opioid addiction tells us that
we must be doing even more to meet this growing challenge, to stem the tide of recent deaths from
these drugs. Alcohol abuse continues to be a serious issue across our state. We address this problem
through programs for young children, adolescents and now adults of all ages. Mental health services
are provided hand in hand with these programs as we know how important it is to treat the whole
spirit of each client who comes for our services. While prevention and intervention are strong
components of our agency, we find we must continue to make these elements stronger and include
more people.
The homeless population continues to grow in our community and Volunteers of America Alaska
now provides housing for residents in Anchorage, Eagle River and Juneau. We have plans to build
housing in Palmer to address some of the need in that community. Plans are being made to address
other goals in our recent Strategic Plan.
Volunteers of America Alaska is fortunate to have the experience, support and resources of our
National Office as we make plans for the future. This resource makes it possible for us to look at
new ways of doing business to meet the Mission of the organization. I am thankful for this resource
and call upon it often.
I want to thank each of you for making an investment in Volunteers of America Alaska. You help us
be more efficient and effective in what we provide to Alaskan’s. You have blessed Volunteers of
America Alaska and for that we are thankful. Working together we can make our community a
better place to live.
Elaine Dahlgren
President/CEO
Volunteers of America Alaska
BOARD CHAIR’S LETTER
Letter from our Board Chair
Reflecting over the past year, we are pleased to present the 2015 Annual Accountability Report for
Volunteers of America Alaska. With the successes of the past year we look forward to the opportunities
existing for next year.
I am honored to have been elected to the National Board of Volunteers of America. With the additional
visibility and the experiences of 33 Affiliates and National Staff, we are positioned to grow and increase our
quality services. With my involvement in the Affiliate Relations Task Force, I am able to see what and how
others are doing services. This allows National Volunteers of America to offer needed support to us. I am
also on the Audit Committee. We hire the Audit Firm giving us assurance that National Volunteers of
America and all of the Affiliates and related companies are in compliance.
This report highlights our commitment to our mission and our ministry of service. The struggles are very real
for many Alaskan’s in need but with your continued support we can make a difference
Linda Bowers
Volunteers of America Alaska
Board of Directors
MISSION AND VALUES
Volunteers of America Alaska is a ministry of service committed to
reaching and uplifting the human spirit, building healthy life-styles
by providing quality services to people of all ages, and creating
opportunities for people to experience the joy of serving others.
RESPECT
We value the intrinsic work of each individual and
treat them with respect at all times.
COMPASSION
We acknowledge the individual differences of people’s histories, experiences and situations and
honor them with compassion.
INTEGRITY
We are committed to providing quality services while adhering to
the highest professional and ethical standards.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Board:
Linda Bowers
Chair
L&C Services, Inc.
Kim Warner
Director
CFO Retired
Jacqueline “Jackie” McKnight
Vice Chair
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
Marla Peterson
Director
Geneva Woods
Allen Hansen
Secretary
Marsh and McLennan
Michelle Bartley
Director
Project Coordinator
Denette Justus Romano
Treasurer
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Lauchie Johnston
Director
LMJ Consulting
Ella Craig
Director
Retired Social Worker & Consultant
Management:
Christine Buckalew-Bucknall
Director
Eklutna Corporation
Paula Huber
Director
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Elaine Pfeiffer
Director
Retired Air Force
Raju Shankar
Director
The Foraker Group
Jennifer Herrera
Director
Nana Worley Parsons
Elaine M. Dahlgren
President/CEO
Volunteers of America Alaska
Tiffany Price
Director
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Elaine M. Dahlgren
President/CEO
Heather Anderson
Vice President of Finance
Julia Jackson
Vice President of Behavioral Health
Cheryl “Charlie” Daniels
Vice President of Prevention & Intervention
Nicki Shinners
Vice President of Development
Wayne Jackson
Vice President of Marketing
Morgann Dahlgren Jensen
Vice President of Senior Services
Lori DeStefano
Director of Outpatient Services
Renee Marcionette
Director of PLL & TIP
Katelyn McClelland
Clinical Director of ARCH
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
-Local artist Arnie Weimer created this
masterpiece especially for the new housing. He
is originally from Southeast Alaska and now
resides in Juneau.
-Terraces at Lawson Creek located at
2650 Vista Drive in Juneau Alaska
We are Volunteers of America.
And we are the first to step forward,
taking on the most crushing problems.
The dire.
The hopeless.
The untouchable.
And we make a difference.
Because we not only perceive the burdens of
others,
we know firsthand what it means to make them
lighter.
This is why we do what we do.
Volunteers of America Alaska believes housing is a powerful foundation for life, and we are
increasing efforts to provide affordable housing throughout the State of Alaska. Applicants must
meet eligibility and screening requirements.
Juneau: Terraces at Lawson Creek is a new service-enriched community offering affordable homes
for families on Douglas Island in Juneau Alaska. Phase l, with 40 units, was recently completed and
provides more affordable housing options in the area. The community features one, two and threebedroom units. The on-site community center houses a meeting room, kitchen, restrooms, a
playground, laundry facilities and management/leasing offices. Phase two is underway for another
35 units. When the project is complete Terraces at Lawson Creek will have a service coordinator
who can assist with many needs of families living in this community. Phase ll has received a Low
Income Housing Tax Credit award. (pictures above)
Trailside: The Trailside Heights Affordable Housing Development was designed to play a critical
role in the lives of hundreds of Anchorage residents. This new community in South Anchorage
includes 121 two- and three-bedroom residential units, a park, and community building. The site
design provides pedestrian connectivity to a public school, church, and mass transit as well as other
amenities. Within days of open enrollment, we received over 1,200 applications, showing the real
need for affordable housing in Anchorage.
Birchwood Apartments in Eagle River has 57 newly remodeled 2 bedroom units.
Lumen Park Senior Housing has 20 units in South Anchorage. We are conveniently located
between Abbott and O'Malley, just off Lake Otis. Our community features 1 and 2 bedroom
apartments, some of which are handicap accessible. Income guidelines apply. We have a full time
Housing Service Coordinator to connect our residents with needs they may have and helps them
access services in the community. Our complex includes: community functions, laundry facilities,
designated parking, washer/dryer hook-ups, 24 Hour video surveillance, rooftop patio keyed access,
building elevator access, heat, trash, water, and sewer are included.
PROVIDING MORE THAN JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING
This year our Resident Service Coordinator has provided our housing residents with some exciting
new services such as: a summer lunch program that offers all children under the age of 18 a free
lunch and afternoon snack, on onsite food pantry to help residents who are experiencing unexpected
hardships, and a weekly foor ministry that brings donated food (fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, and
pastries) from local grocery stored into our community center for our residents. She is partnering
with other programs within VOAAK, local schools, neighboring businesses, and churches to
provide wrap around support services to our residents. One of those partnerships just recently
opened the doors for us to soon begin weekly Sunday worship services and bible
Stephanie Dale
Housing Coordinator &
Commissioned Minister
Volunteers of America Alaska
Camp Hope
Camp Hope is a week-long camp for children whose lives have been impacted by drug and alcohol addiction
in their family. Typically these children experience feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of responsibility for
their loved one’s substance abuse. Additionally they are at a heightened risk of developing addictions
themselves. (Studies have shown that without intervention, kids who have a biological parent, grandparent,
brother or sister with addiction are four times as likely to develop addiction themselves.)
Camp Hope plants seeds of healing and hope in our campers. It offers an escape from the heavy burdens of
home and replaces them with a fun wilderness experience. At Camp Hope, these children are exposed to
traditional camp activities like crafts, hiking, swimming, canoeing, and fishing; but we also teach children
about addiction and help them understand that they are not to blame.
In addition to the week-long camp experience, these kids are provided after-care services to re-connect them
with adult mentors and help maintain healthy relationship models. These after-care meetings provide positive
peer activities, volunteer activities, and enforce the life skills and positive development assets acquired during
camp. Our aftercare activities occur during high-risk times, such as in-service school days and over spring
Break, when parents are at work and children may be left to fill their days without adult supervision.
Here’s what a few of our participants and their families had to say about Camp Hope:
“I have new friends. They’ve been through the same things as me.” -- B.R., age 9
“I’m not alone. You guys know what I’m talking about.” – M.I., age 14
“I’m safe.” -- J.M., age 7
“She hasn’t had a night terror since she came home! How can I thank you?” – J.T., grandmother and foster parent
“This camp was a godsend for our family.” – R.N., mother
“My kid can’t stop talking about camp!” – T.L., foster mother
ADOLESCENT TREATMENT SERVICES
Volunteers of America Alaska views chemical dependency as an illness impacting the physical,
emotional, and spiritual lives of more than just the patient. Family involvement, with a strong
emphasis on developing support systems and continuing care, is encouraged throughout treatment.
Volunteers of America Alaska provides inpatient Adolescent Residential Center for Help (ARCH)
and outpatient (Assist) treatment services to over 175 adolescents and their families. Our programs
offer chemically-dependent adolescents the skills to eliminate reliance on drugs and alcohol and the
tools to build and maintain strong, healthy futures.
ARCH is an intensive, residential treatment program for chemical dependency, mental
health, and co-occurring disorders. Nestled in the private mountains of Eagle River, the
facility houses 24 residents, ages 13 through 18, and length of stay can be 5 to 7 months
Assist: Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse Treatment Program now providing services in Anchorage
and the Matsu Valley for age 7- Adult. VOA's substance abuse and mental health treatment services have
expanded to provide individual and family therapy. Our services include: Outpatient, Intensive
Outpatient, Continuing Care, and individualized models in the setting most appropriate for those with
unique needs. A Master's level Addictions certified Mental Health Clinician, and a Chemical Dependency
Certified Counselor address substance use education, intervention, and family systems issues. Cooccurring needs are managed through clinic and behavioral health service support. The VOA Main Assist
program services are delivered through the office in Anchorage, and through our onsite Covenant House
Partnership, Birchwood Behavioral Health Partnership, and the Anchorage School Based Health Centers
Partnership at Begich Middle School. Supportive services include case management, the Transition to
Independence Process (TIP), Community Night, and Family support. The Assist program in the Mat-Su
Valley incorporate the evidenced based Matrix model, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational
Interviewing, and AA/NA framework of Relapse Prevention and Daily Program of Recovery.
GRANDFAMILIES NETWORK PROGRAM
The Grandfamilies Network Program is a one-of-a-kind, statewide support program for
grandparents raising their grandchildren. The program provides ongoing support groups,
informational campaigns, case management, financial assistance, a lending library, a statewide
newsletter, and a toll-free hot line for counseling and referrals.
The population of Grandparents raising their grandchildren is rapidly growing in Alaska.
o 16,189 children under age 18 live in homes with grandparents or other relatives.
o Of these, 12,131 live with grandparents who are head of household and 4,058 live
with other relatives.
o 6,109 children, under the age of 18, are housed and cared for by grandparents who
are also financially responsible for the children.
o Of these children, 1,958 have no parents present in the home.
Source: U.S. 2010 Census
The VOAAK Senior Program (SAP) helps transform the talents, energies, and experiences of
seniors into significant volunteer services. Members 55 years of age or older, in Anchorage and the
Mat-Su are provided opportunities to participate more fully in the life of their communities.
Prevention and Intervention Services
Volunteers of America Alaska's goal is to prevent adolescent substance abuse from escalating.
Healthy Voices, Healthy Choices with Volunteers of America Alaska (HVHC) is a coalition
made up of community members, whose mission is to bring together various stakeholders to
promote healthy choices through public education, outreach, advocacy, and youth-led
activities.
Since 2001, HVHC has been hard at work engaging, advocating, informing and bring awareness of
alcohol and other substance abuse issues through education, prevention, enforcement, and
treatment to build a healthy, safe and drug free community.
HVHC Strategic Goals are:
Goal 1: Prevention - Stopping Use Before It Starts
Goal 2: Enforcement - Aggressively Attacking Unlawful Alcohol/Drug Activity
Goal 3: Treatment/Recovery - Getting Treatment Resources Where They Are Needed
The coalition currently has 78 active community members helping us reach our goals.
Prime for Life is a 3- day, alternative-to-suspension program for first time drug and alcohol
offenses by middle and high school students. Prime for Life is collaboration between Volunteers of
America Alaska, the Anchorage School District and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southcentral
Alaska. The program engages students in self-evaluation of their drug and alcohol decisions, helps
them see the life-long consequences of drug and alcohol use and equips them with the skills needed
to prevent future substance abuse.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SERVICES
Volunteers of America Alaska’s Restorative Justice Program provides the following services:
The Juvenile Alcohol Safety Action Program (JASAP) monitors youth referred by the District
Court for underage drinking offenses to fulfill the terms of their sentences. This program is now
offered to adults.
Mediation is a safe, controlled and structured place to work out differences without involving the
formal process of the criminal justice system. The mediation services provided include victimoffender, parent-adolescent and neighborhood disputes.
Reality Check is a prevention and intervention program that helps people learn to reduce their risks
of health and drug-related problems throughout life.
Botvin Life Skills is an evidence-based, substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the
risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse and violence.
Victim Impact Class for teen offenders is offered to help participants learn how crimes affect
victims and the community at large.
SUPPORT
Thank you for your generosity and support!
Through grants, fundraising and donations we will continue to make a difference in Alaska. When
you support the work of Volunteers of America Alaska, you make a difference in our community one person at a time. Volunteers of America Alaska strives to end homelessness, rebuild whole lives
and strengthen communities. Your gift will directly support the Alaskans we serve.
Here are some ways you can give:
Mail
Volunteers of America Alaska
509 W. 3rd Avenue, Suite 103
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone
To donate by phone via your credit card, please contact our Director of Development at
907-279-9657.
Online
Visit our website at www.voaak.org and click on “Donate” at the top or bottom of the page.
If you have any questions about donating, please call 907-279-9657.
FUNDING SOURCES IN 2015
673,189
3,853,864
851,695
5,378,748
Contributions (Cash and In-Kind)
Government Grants
Other Income
Total Income 2015
Funding Sources in 2015
16%
12%
Contributions (Cash and
In-Kind)
Government Grants
72%
Other Income
HOW FUNDS WERE USED IN 2015
Youth Substance Abuse Treatment
Management
Children and Youth Prevention Services
Housing
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Youth Restorative Justice
Fundraising
Total Expenses 2015
3,098,885
663,527
1,145,852
38,147
267,366
206,293
113,338
5,533,408
How Funds Were Used in 2015
Youth Substance Abuse
Treatment
0%
5%
Management
4% 2%
Children and Youth
Prevention Services
21%
56%
Housing
12%
Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program
Youth Restorative Justice
Fundraising
A special letter from our Director of Human Resources:
It is the mission of the Human Resources (HR) office to advance the overall mission of Volunteers
of America Alaska through the acquisition, retention, and support of a remarkable organization. The
HR office achieves its mission by recruiting, employing, retaining, and developing employees while
also maximizing exceptional employee relations, engagement and excellent personal and team
performance through in-house consulting, problem resolution, and the provision of worthwhile,
efficient employee responsive HR services.
Flavia Davids
Director of Human Resources
Volunteers of America Alaska
509 W. 3rd Avenue, Suite 103
Anchorage, AK 99501
www.voaak.org