We’re helping kids move from their first words to their first jobs.
Alaska’s next generation of learners, workers, and leaders need our support. We are committed to ensuring children, teens, and young adults have better access to dependable, excellent learning environments. We’re paving the way for parents to have more child care options so their income can provide for their kids. Plus, we’re helping young Alaskans cover their pressing needs and receive mentorships to prepare them for life after graduation.
Stark Disparities
Racial and ethnic groups, English-language learners, economically disadvantaged families and children with disabilities face disparate educational outcomes. All students deserve caring support, meaningful classes, invigorating experiences and career-path insights.
Child-Centered Supports
We coordinate with health clinics, nonprofits, and workplaces that assist families who have infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children. Our community’s needs evolve, ebb and flow. This webpage provides updates about our current efforts to support kids.
We’re nurturing students to become a talented workforce. When students see how education connects to life after high school, they’re more engaged and likely to graduate ready to thrive. That’s why we’re partnering with workplaces to support Academies of Anchorage. They inspire students to pursue their professional callings.
Benefiting Workplaces
They advise on curriculum, host learning opportunities, mentor students, strengthen community ties and increase their employees’ engagement. Workplaces can help nurture our future workforce. Connect your workplace with Anchorage School District high schools.
Preparing Life-Ready Students
We link students with workplace-led opportunities so they’re prepared for life after graduation. When we support students, they can reach their potential. Plus, they can confidently enter careers, trade school programs or college.
Catching Up
Some students are just a few credits away from graduating, but life gets in the way. The Back on Track program helps high school students who have fallen behind catch up and earn their diploma. In partnership with the Anchorage School District, we support expanded credit recovery during the school year and summer, so more students have a chance to succeed.
Flexible Funding
The program responds to students’ needs with flexible funding for food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and other essentials like prescription glasses. We also help celebrate their accomplishments by covering caps and gowns, a cake, and a small gift card. These supports remove barriers, build confidence, and help students finish strong.
Supporting Mental Health
When students face challenges at home, problems can show up in the classroom. That’s why we work closely with Providence Alaska and VOA Alaska to meet Anchorage School District students’ needs beyond academics. School-based behavioral health clinicians work support mental health, while United Way of Anchorage creates a pathway for the community to help with other needs.
Flexible Funding
Through United Way of Anchorage, the school-based clinicians can quickly access flexible funds to help with things like food, clothing, utilities, or transportation. Whatever is getting in the way of a student’s well-being, we can work together to help meet their needs. These supports build trust, strengthen well-being, and help students stay in school.
Learn more about United Way of Anchorage's other impact areas, programs, and assistance!
