Volunteers of America is a nonprofit human service organization dedicated to the relief of human suffering and the advancement of social justice. It was founded in 1896 by Christian social reformers Ballington and Maud Booth in New York City. Today Volunteers of America is active in more than 220 communities throughout the United States, helping over one million people every year. Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of charities has awarded its top rating, 4 stars, to Volunteers of America for “successfully managing the finances of the organization in an efficient and effective manner.”
Locally, Volunteers of America Alaska has stood for compassionate and ethical service since 1981, when it began offering substance abuse treatment to adolescents at the ARCH residential treatment facility in Eagle River. Since then we have expanded to serve over 35,000 people statewide in 2005. We offer a wide array of services for young children, adolescents, families and the elderly, which include the following:
Substance Abuse Prevention
Our prevention program consists of education and intervention for 5th through 12th grade students in Anchorage. PRIme for Life provides a 20-hour alternative to suspension program for youth suspended from the Anchorage School District. Camp Hope is a summer camp for 7-11 year old children from throughout the state whose lives have been impacted by substance abuse in their family. In addition, our FAScinating Family Camp is held annually for families statewide that care for children affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The prevention department further provides support, networking and respite services for families with grandparents raising grandchildren statewide (the Grandfamilies Network Project).
Adolescent Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency Treatment
Volunteers of America Alaska offers a full continuum of treatment services that encompass residential (Adolescent Residential Center for Help — ARCH), outpatient and intensive outpatient (Assist) as well as continuing care programs serving adolescents 12-18 and the affected families. In addition, our Alcohol Information School (PRIme for Life) provides 12 hours of intervention services to youth ages 14-20 who have received first-time alcohol and other drug-related offenses.
Restorative Justice Services
Restorative Justice Services provide monitoring for community work service and monetary restitution for the Division of Juvenile Justice as well as monitoring services for youth who have received Minor Consuming Alcohol charges. Juvenile victim impact classes are part of the program, along with victim-offender and parent-adolescent mediation services through our Resolution Center.
Scholastic Books Giveaway Project
Through a generous donation from Scholastic, Inc., Volunteers of America Alaska is able to distribute over 50,000 books each year to children from low-income families throughout Alaska.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) became a part of Volunteers of America Alaska in 1988, offering meaningful volunteer opportunities to persons 55 years and older in South-central Alaska through which they are able to share their experience and wisdom with others.
For more information, contact:
Development Director
Lee Pulliam
1675 C Street, Ste. 201
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Tel: (907) 279-9648
Fax: (907) 276-0148