Happy New Year!

A month ago, we officially opened our doors and admitted the first teens into our temporary shelter, operated out of First Presbyterian Church.  The youth were a little nervous and – hey – so were we. These many months of working and planning and hoping and climbing and we were finally able to accomplish our first, our biggest goal: providing emergency shelter to youth in Fairbanks.  It felt like cresting a mountain.  All of a sudden we could see how far we had yet to go – but we were finally able to see past the rocks, trees and hazards that had blocked our view.  We opened.  We breathed.  We were relaxed, and so, then, did the youth.

This year has been incredible, and we delighted to end on such a high note.  Since the shelter opened we’ve been able to provide a safe place to sleep for four or five youth a night.  We’ve been able to operate continually – and will continue to – because of the dedication of our community volunteers.  Without their help, there is no way we would be able to provide this service – we’re not sure if we can say ‘thank you’ loud enough or enthusiastically enough to these volunteers.  We hope you understand how important you are to us!

We know we have more to do.  This year we will finish construction on our permanent shelter building, open our doors and extend our welcome – and our services – to those who need it.  The permanent shelter will provide extended services for youth: counseling, family reconciliation, case management, connection to resources, education, and more, in addition to 24-7 shelter services.  In the meantime, we work to further develop our temporary shelter at First Presbyterian to provide the best, safest, and most sensible place possible for our youth. We will continue to provide shelter each night between 9pm and 8am to young people in need of a place to go.  We’re growing our volunteer base and spreading awareness in Fairbanks of the needs, our services, and the issues of youth homelessness.  As always, we’ll be reaching out to the community to support us – and to support these young people.

Thank you all for standing with us – we are so very grateful to the Fairbanks community for your ongoing support.

As always, we appreciate your help: Volunteer your time.  Donate things you no longer need.  Give.