Rachel, Aliy and Megan in White Mountain.
Matson and I are part of a program that focuses on reducing domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska. Our goal was to enable youth from bush Alaska to attend an educational workshop: Lead On!
The workshop focuses on youth personal empowerment and leadership skills. It is held in Anchorage in mid November. During my trip to the Western Coast of Alaska I brought the workshop organizers, Rachel and Megan, with me.
While I spent much of my time playing with stuffed toy huskys, reading books to first graders and running Iditarod Spelling Relay Races with middle schoolers, Rachel and Megan talked to teenagers about the workshop. There is a lengthy application for Lead On! But, before we left, some youth were already filling it out. Applicants should know fairly soon if they are accepted to the program. Due to Matson’s generous contributions, several teenagers from Golovin, Elim and White Mountain should financially be able to attend.
Bonding with some teens in White Mountain.
Thanks you so much for making this difference in individual people's lives.
This is so wonderful – true empowerment.
So proud to hear of your link to this organization and the "hands on" action you combined with other awesome tasks on this trip!!!
WOOF!!!
Margaret said it best…..making a differance in individual peoples lives and helping to empower them is nothing short of AWESOME! Thank you for what you are doing!
We can all help by donating …
ANDVSA (Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault):
http://www.andvsa.org/ (Scroll down to donate box)
IACNVL (Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living):
http://www.iacnvl.org/ (Select Donate to IAC) .. this organization conducts workshops for those that work with youth throughout the state as well as youth in Interior Alaska.