VOA Alaska

VOA Alaska Empowering Alaska's Youth, Young Adults, and Families through Behavioral Health and Well-being Services.

Since 1981, VOA Alaska has taken on the most difficult tasks to help the most underserved. Today, VOA Alaska provides a range of mental, emotional, and behavioral health and support services to youth and their families at low or no cast. Our behavioral health professionals educate and support youth struggling with substance misuse and mental health conditions, while also providing a safe space for healing. Our permanent supportive housing team uses an evidence based, housing-first approach to navigate transitional youth to recovery by securing housing and building life skills. Our public health team is on the front line of prevention, working to strengthen and promote healthy communities. Our Kinship Family Program, the most comprehensive program of its kind in Alaska, serves families taking care of relative children. When the first Volunteers of America (VOA) was founded in 1896, 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.

Behind every healthy adult is a child who felt seen. This week, we honor Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark, the first Black woman t...
02/17/2026

Behind every healthy adult is a child who felt seen.

This week, we honor Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark, the first Black woman to earn a psychology doctorate from Columbia University.

Dr. Clark’s groundbreaking "Doll Test" research proved that social environments and systemic exclusion deeply impact a child’s self-esteem and mental health. Her work wasn’t just academic—it was used in the Brown v. Board of Education case to end school segregation.

At VOA Alaska, we know that identity and belonging are clinical necessities. Like Dr. Clark, we are dedicated to creating spaces where Alaska’s youth feel valued, understood, and empowered to build a positive self-image.

In observance of Presidents' Day, VOA Alaska’s administrative offices and outpatient services will be closed today, Mond...
02/16/2026

In observance of Presidents' Day, VOA Alaska’s administrative offices and outpatient services will be closed today, Monday, February 16. We will resume normal hours tomorrow.

While our scheduled services take a brief pause, our heart for this community never does.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, help is available 24/7. You don't have to walk this path alone:
• Call or Text: 988 (Su***de & Crisis Lifeline)
• Careline Alaska: 1-877-266-4357
• Emergency: 911

Wishing all our families a safe and restful holiday weekend!

02/12/2026

Today - 2/11 - is National 211 Day! Alaska 211 is a free statewide helpline that connects people to local resources and services. Whether to meet basic needs, recover from disasters, or address most anything, 211 can help.

We believe that no one understands the challenges facing Alaska’s youth better than the youth themselves, so save the da...
02/11/2026

We believe that no one understands the challenges facing Alaska’s youth better than the youth themselves, so save the date for Saturday, February 28, 2026.

This isn't just another meeting—it’s a brave space for young Alaskans to share their real, unfiltered stories of resilience, mental health journeys, and hope for the future. Whether you have a story to tell or you’re ready to listen and learn, your presence helps us break the stigma and build a more supportive community.

Come for the stories, stay for the connection. ---

RSVP here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=A5cLJ8mOyUynv-Z_ZvcYOhdnaRGdYS9CoFVwiU3ME8BURTMzRDBTNzdMSkJBUEsyN0hZVkdUSEdMTy4u

Bebe Moore Campbell once said, "It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get there. Get help." This Black History Mon...
02/10/2026

Bebe Moore Campbell once said, "It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get there. Get help."

This Black History Month, we recognize her incredible legacy. An author and advocate, Campbell fought tirelessly to break the stigma of mental illness in communities of color.

Her work reminds us that access to behavioral health support is a necessity, not a luxury. At VOA Alaska, we carry her mission forward by striving to create a safe, supportive space for every young person who walks through our doors.

It’s one thing to talk about leadership, but it’s another to see it in action. Last week, our YLP crew took the lead by ...
02/10/2026

It’s one thing to talk about leadership, but it’s another to see it in action.

Last week, our YLP crew took the lead by defining their own "group norms"—deciding for themselves how they want to show up and support one another. It was the perfect example of our Team Building and Leadership Learning pillars in real life.

To wrap up, they got busy for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month! The group crafted "Uplifting Community Messages" using Valentine’s candies to spread encouragement across the community.

These high schoolers are proving that leadership is about more than just a title—it’s about heart and community.

Our leadership team is rolling up their sleeves and looking ahead. 💙This week, VOA Alaska came together to shape our fiv...
02/07/2026

Our leadership team is rolling up their sleeves and looking ahead. 💙

This week, VOA Alaska came together to shape our five-year strategic plan, focused on strengthening recovery services and promoting healthy communities across Alaska.

We’re grateful to our partners at Strategic Prevention Solutions for guiding us through a thoughtful, collaborative process that keeps our mission front and center: empowering Alaskans and uplifting the human spirit.

👉 Learn more about our work and how we support Alaskans statewide at voaak.org

"I felt like I kept getting doors slammed in my face while I was trying so hard to get back on my feet." This is the rea...
02/06/2026

"I felt like I kept getting doors slammed in my face while I was trying so hard to get back on my feet."

This is the reality for many Alaskan parents navigating mental health challenges. Recently, a parent shared their anonymous journey with us—a story of moving from stigma to self-reliance.

The Struggle:
For years, this parent felt judged and "chastised" by the systems meant to help. They were left out of important conversations about their child, leading to a cycle of trauma and loss of control.

The VOA Difference:
"VOA was the first agency who looked at me like part of my child’s treatment team. They normalized my mental health struggles... they gave me hope."

The Impact:
Today, this family is thriving. The parent is holding down a job, giving back to the community, and—most importantly—their child is back in their care.

Why it matters for Juneau:
Mental health care isn't just a budget line item. It’s the difference between a family in crisis and a family that is self-reliant and whole.

📢 Help us advocate!
We are still carrying your stories to the Capitol. Your voice can help our legislators understand the vital need for these services.

Share your story here: https://forms.office.com/r/a1dBBE4hSj?origin=lprLink

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. 🧡 This year’s theme is “Real Love Respects.” In a world of mixed messa...
02/04/2026

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

🧡 This year’s theme is “Real Love Respects.” In a world of mixed messages, we’re centering on one truth: respect is non-negotiable. Whether it’s online or in person, real love should never make you question your worth. At VOA Alaska, we’re here to help youth navigate these relationships.

Know the signs: Respect is earned, honest, and supportive. If it doesn’t feel like that, it’s okay to pause and reach out.

More resources can be found here, https://www.teendvmonth.org/

In honor of Black History Month, VOA Alaska is celebrating the pioneers who transformed behavioral health. Today, we hon...
02/03/2026

In honor of Black History Month, VOA Alaska is celebrating the pioneers who transformed behavioral health.

Today, we honor Dr. Margaret Morgan Lawrence, the first African American woman to be certified by the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.

Dr. Lawrence dedicated her life to child psychiatry, specifically focusing on how "strength" and resilience are developed in young children. Her work laid the groundwork for how we support youth mental health today, emphasizing that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and understood.

February is Youth Leadership Month, and at VOA Alaska, we are celebrating the incredible high schoolers in our new Youth...
02/02/2026

February is Youth Leadership Month, and at VOA Alaska, we are celebrating the incredible high schoolers in our new Youth Leadership Program!

Led by our Prevention Team, this weekly after-school program is more than just a meeting—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of Alaskan trail-blazers. Our students are currently diving deep into:
⭐ Leadership Learning: Gaining the tools to lead with confidence.
🤝 Team Building: Fostering genuine connection and collaboration.

The Youth Leadership Program recently lent their services to help our School-Based Services with a grocery kit project! School-Based Clinician Kayla Jurchak presented the vision and budget, and our YLP students delegated and mobilized—purchasing and storing $1,500 in groceries. In January, the team met to build 30 kits for our SBS team to distribute as needed.

Teamwork makes the dream work, and we had a fun time doing it! Stay tuned all month long as we highlight the amazing projects these young leaders are bringing to life!

Healing happens in relationship. 💙 Many of the youth and families we serve have experienced trauma, and traditional appr...
01/30/2026

Healing happens in relationship. 💙

Many of the youth and families we serve have experienced trauma, and traditional approaches don’t always meet their needs. Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) helps caregivers and providers respond with connection, structure, and compassion, supporting regulation and long-term healing.

At VOA Alaska, TBRI shapes how we support youth and families every day. We’re grateful to partner with Providence and other community leaders who are committed to trauma-informed care across Alaska.

If you’re a caregiver, provider, or referral partner looking for support for a young person, we’re here.

👉 Learn more or get started with services: voaak.org


Address

2600 Cordova Street Suite 101
Anchorage, AK
99503

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm

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