Published October 12, 2018, by Michele Brown There’s a lot of discussion underway about the highly visible face of street homelessness in Anchorage. There’s another, more hidden and pernicious face; and that’s family homelessness. On Aug. 31 of this year, there were 87 known families with a combined 290 people on the Homeless Management Information […]
The Power of Partnership
Published September 17, 2018, by Rachel Lee You’ve heard the mantras before: positive lasting change, improving lives in our community, Live United. But what does that really mean? What does change really look like? Where’s the proof? How are you making a difference? Amy Alston and her son are the proof. After a series of […]
A Fighting Chance to Graduate
Published September 14, 2018, by Michele Brown In 2005, the Anchorage High School graduation rate was 59 percent. Since then, the aim of 90% Graduation by 2020 has been to raise and sustain the graduation rate to 90 percent or better. By 2017, the graduation rate was 81.4 percent. We’re still waiting on 2018’s certified […]
Fill the Cupboard for Today and Tomorrow
Published September 13, 2018, by Frank Gerjevic. When you’re hungry, the long run doesn’t mean much. When your kids are hungry, it means even less. That’s why United Way of Anchorage has for years been the driving force for the Day of Caring Food Drive. This year’s drive is Friday at the Food Bank of […]
To Live Better, We Must Live United
Published August 31, 2018, by Michele Brown, excerpted from her 2018 United Way of Anchorage Campaign Kickoff speech. Thank you all for being here and for being the front-line change-agents for a better Anchorage. On behalf of the staff and Board of United Way of Anchorage, we are honored to be your partner as we, […]
More than Chalk
Published August 21, 2018, by Cassandra Stalzer Last Friday was a great example of what it means to Live United. Students, public officials, parents, employees and teachers banded together to write messages of encouragement in chalk outside of 12 Anchorage schools. The chalk was cheerful and heartfelt, but what the event really represented is the […]
Chalk for Change
Published August 14, 2018, by Rachel Lee Coming from a single-parent home in Anchorage and having three siblings in school at the same time, I remember a handful of years when back to school plagued me with fear. Worries like, “What if mom spent too much money on my school supplies? Will the other kids […]
How We Fight Homelessness
While there’s no silver bullet, and no single person, organization or funder that can solve homelessness alone, the good news is that we can make headway on complex problems like homelessness through the deliberate, structured collaboration of organizations, volunteers, and community investors who agree to work toward a common agenda.
28 Reasons Why We Fight for 90% by 2020
Published July 2, 2018, by Michele Brown Smiles, selfies and families standing shoulder to shoulder marked the Anchorage School District’s summer school graduation class of 41 students on Tuesday at East High School. None stood taller than the 28 Back on Track program students who walked the stage to accept their diplomas. Rightly so; six […]
Take Heart: Strong Initiative to House Homeless Will Grace Our Trails, Too
Published June 25, 2018, by Michele Brown It’s become a truism that what we’re doing about homelessness in Anchorage isn’t working. Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, committed to ending homelessness here, has said as much. When hundreds of homeless people in Anchorage continue to cycle through emergency room visits, jail, and the hazards of street life, what […]