VOA Alaska

VOA Alaska Empowering Alaska's Youth, Young Adults, and Families through Behavioral Health and Well-being Services.

Since 1981, VOA Alaska has taken on the most difficult tasks to help the most underserved. Today, VOA Alaska provides a range of mental, emotional, and behavioral health and support services to youth and their families at low or no cast. Our behavioral health professionals educate and support youth struggling with substance misuse and mental health conditions, while also providing a safe space for healing. Our permanent supportive housing team uses an evidence based, housing-first approach to navigate transitional youth to recovery by securing housing and building life skills. Our public health team is on the front line of prevention, working to strengthen and promote healthy communities. Our Kinship Family Program, the most comprehensive program of its kind in Alaska, serves families taking care of relative children. When the first Volunteers of America (VOA) was founded in 1896, the concept of “volunteering” meant serving others as a vocation. While our understanding of the term has evolved, our dedication to serving others has not.

This month, we are celebrating a massive milestone—VOA is 130 years old! In March 1896, our co-founder Maud Booth helped...
03/11/2026

This month, we are celebrating a massive milestone—VOA is 130 years old!

In March 1896, our co-founder Maud Booth helped incorporate VOA with a radical belief: that every person is worthy of a future. Known as a pioneer in social reform, Maud spent her life humanizing the justice system and supporting the mental well-being of those seeking a second chance.

For 130 years, that same spirit has fueled VOA Alaska. While the world has changed, our mission remains the same: providing a bridge of care for our community’s most vulnerable. We are proud to carry Maud’s vision forward every single day.

Join us in celebrating 130 years of service!

As we continue Women’s History Month, we are “Honoring the women who lead the way” by recognizing the legacy of Elizabet...
03/05/2026

As we continue Women’s History Month, we are “Honoring the women who lead the way” by recognizing the legacy of Elizabeth Peratrovich (Kaaxgal.aat).

While known for her civil rights leadership, Elizabeth’s work was a vital contribution to the behavioral health of Alaska Native people. She understood that dignity and a sense of belonging are the foundations of mental well-being. By fighting against discrimination, she fought for the right of every Alaskan to live with a healthy spirit and a sense of worth.

At VOA Alaska, we carry her torch by providing inclusive, culturally-responsive care. We believe that true healing begins when every individual feels seen, respected, and supported.

If you or a loved one are navigating a path toward wellness, VOA Alaska is here to walk with you. From mental health counseling to youth residential treatment, our team is dedicated to your journey.

Learn more at voaak.org

We’re hiring Behavioral Health Associates at VOA Alaska! Looking to start or continue a career in Behavioral Health? VOA...
03/05/2026

We’re hiring Behavioral Health Associates at VOA Alaska!

Looking to start or continue a career in Behavioral Health? VOA Alaska is hiring for Behavioral Health Associates (BHAs) at our residential facility, working with adolescents.

Why become a BHA at VOA Alaska?
✨ Mission-Driven Culture: Help change the lives of Alaska’s youth every day.
🗓️ 3-Day Work Week: Real work-life balance.
💰 $500 Sign-on Bonus: Plus competitive pay and retirement contributions.
🏥 Comprehensive Benefits: Health insurance, generous PTO, and paid parental leave.
📈 Career Growth: Professional development opportunities for every level of experience.

Whether you're looking for a place to start your career or you’re an experienced professional, there's a place for you here!

See full details and apply: 🔗 https://voaak.org/careers/

March is Women’s History Month, and at VOA Alaska, we’re “Honoring the women who lead the way” in healing our community....
03/04/2026

March is Women’s History Month, and at VOA Alaska, we’re “Honoring the women who lead the way” in healing our community.

We begin with Dr. Helen Beirne. As a physician and Alaska’s first female Commissioner of Health, she was a fierce protector of those often left behind. She didn't just build departments; she built a foundation of dignity for children with emotional and developmental challenges.

Her legacy is woven into the very mission of VOA Alaska. Every time we provide a safe space for a young person to heal, we are carrying forward the work she started. She believed that every Alaskan deserves a voice and a chance to thrive—a belief that drives us every single day.

Is there a woman in your life who has inspired you to care for others? Celebrate her in the comments!

The conversations we started while in Juneau during the legislative session are too important to leave behind in the Cap...
02/25/2026

The conversations we started while in Juneau during the legislative session are too important to leave behind in the Capitol.

A couple of weeks ago, Julia, Alyssa, and Brianna sat down with Alaska’s leaders for our Legislative Lunch and Learn. It was a chance to move beyond the numbers and talk about what’s actually working for our youth—like the fact that 98% of our school-based crisis interventions are resolved right in the community.

We want to make sure you have a seat at the table, too. If you weren't able to join us in Juneau, you can watch the full presentation below to hear the stories and the data shaping the future of youth mental health in Alaska.

Watch the Lunch and Learn here:
https://www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/lunch-and-learn-from-investment-to-impact-youth-mental-health-in-alaska-2026021129/

Thank you for helping us carry these conversations forward.

"Keeping our youth in Alaska isn't just a goal—it’s a necessity for their healing." — Julia Luey, CEO. We’re starting th...
02/23/2026

"Keeping our youth in Alaska isn't just a goal—it’s a necessity for their healing." — Julia Luey, CEO.

We’re starting the week by picking up where we left off in Juneau. One of the most important conversations had with legislators was about ARCH and our transition to a 3.7 Level of Care.

For too long, Alaska’s youth with the highest needs often had to leave the state to find the right level of care. We’re changing that. By providing high-level, medically monitored treatment right here, we’re keeping families together when they need each other most.

Our 2025 Impact Report highlights how this shift is moving us from "growth" to "grounded impact." We aren't just expanding; we're deepening the quality of care available in our own backyard.

Take a look at how we’re raising the standard for Alaska’s youth:

https://voaak.org/gallery/2025-community-impact-report/

Today, we had the honor of receiving a check from Alaska Battle Cats with ABC Wrestling in support of VOA Alaska’s preve...
02/20/2026

Today, we had the honor of receiving a check from Alaska Battle Cats with ABC Wrestling in support of VOA Alaska’s prevention programs.

We are incredibly grateful for this partnership. Since 2005, Alaska Battle Cats has been shaping young athletes through freestyle, folk-style, and Greco wrestling, building discipline, resilience, and character that extend far beyond the mat. Their commitment to helping youth succeed in life aligns powerfully with the work we do every day.

Thank you to the coaches, volunteers, families, and wrestlers who made this possible. Your investment strengthens prevention, treatment, and recovery services for young people and families across our community.

To learn more about VOA Alaska’s prevention programs and how you can be part of the impact, visit voaak.org.

There is so much heart behind these columns. Last week, our CEO, Julia, and COO, Alyssa, were on the ground in Juneau wi...
02/20/2026

There is so much heart behind these columns.

Last week, our CEO, Julia, and COO, Alyssa, were on the ground in Juneau with one of our youth advocates, Brianna. They weren’t just there for one event. They were moving from office to office, ensuring that when legislators talk about "youth mental health," they see the real faces and hear the real stories behind the policy.

Brianna shared what it actually looks like when Alaska chooses to invest in its youth. Standing there with her, it’s a constant reminder that our work isn’t about "line items"... it’s about making sure every young person feels seen and supported right here at home.

We just released our 2025 Impact Report, and while the data is significant—providing over 36,000 services last year, those numbers are really just a collection of human moments like the ones shared in Juneau.

Check out the report to see the hope we’re building together:
https://voaak.org/gallery/2025-community-impact-report/

Behind every healthy adult is a child who felt seen. This week, we honor Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark, the first Black woman t...
02/17/2026

Behind every healthy adult is a child who felt seen.

This week, we honor Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark, the first Black woman to earn a psychology doctorate from Columbia University.

Dr. Clark’s groundbreaking "Doll Test" research proved that social environments and systemic exclusion deeply impact a child’s self-esteem and mental health. Her work wasn’t just academic—it was used in the Brown v. Board of Education case to end school segregation.

At VOA Alaska, we know that identity and belonging are clinical necessities. Like Dr. Clark, we are dedicated to creating spaces where Alaska’s youth feel valued, understood, and empowered to build a positive self-image.

In observance of Presidents' Day, VOA Alaska’s administrative offices and outpatient services will be closed today, Mond...
02/16/2026

In observance of Presidents' Day, VOA Alaska’s administrative offices and outpatient services will be closed today, Monday, February 16. We will resume normal hours tomorrow.

While our scheduled services take a brief pause, our heart for this community never does.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, help is available 24/7. You don't have to walk this path alone:
• Call or Text: 988 (Su***de & Crisis Lifeline)
• Careline Alaska: 1-877-266-4357
• Emergency: 911

Wishing all our families a safe and restful holiday weekend!

02/12/2026

Today - 2/11 - is National 211 Day! Alaska 211 is a free statewide helpline that connects people to local resources and services. Whether to meet basic needs, recover from disasters, or address most anything, 211 can help.

We believe that no one understands the challenges facing Alaska’s youth better than the youth themselves, so save the da...
02/11/2026

We believe that no one understands the challenges facing Alaska’s youth better than the youth themselves, so save the date for Saturday, February 28, 2026.

This isn't just another meeting—it’s a brave space for young Alaskans to share their real, unfiltered stories of resilience, mental health journeys, and hope for the future. Whether you have a story to tell or you’re ready to listen and learn, your presence helps us break the stigma and build a more supportive community.

Come for the stories, stay for the connection. ---

RSVP here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=A5cLJ8mOyUynv-Z_ZvcYOhdnaRGdYS9CoFVwiU3ME8BURTMzRDBTNzdMSkJBUEsyN0hZVkdUSEdMTy4u

Address

2600 Cordova Street Suite 101
Anchorage, AK
99503

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm

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