The VISTA will propel community outreach and education within the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant for veterans, active duty service members and their families. Activities will also include recording and tracking data and development of community-based partnerships to increase rural veteran access to the VA healthcare system and other agencies providing support services for individuals at-risk for suicide in the Aleutian region. They will increase awareness and provide education on the VA healthcare system and other related military supports and benefits therein. Through outreach, the VISTA will garnish interest and sustainable investments for suicide and substance misuse prevention activities.

RAIS is the only refugee resettlement program in Alaska. We serve over 500 clients from 27 countries. RAIS offers core services of case management and employment services which assist clients in achieving self-sufficiency. Health programs facilitate health screenings, medical case management, and health education. The Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program operates two farms in Anchorage through the summer and revenue generating ventures outside the growing season. RAIS also has specific programing for school age children, youth (15-24), and older refugees (60+). The RAIS staff is diverse and speaks over 10 languages. RAIS provides a bridge for refugees (individuals who have had to flee their countries of origin due to the tragedies of persecution and war) from their former life experiences to the new skills required for success in the United States. Through a focus on economic self-sufficiency, community integration, and a respect for unique cultures, history, and traditions, RAIS creates an environment of compassion and encouragement for refugees to flourish.

The Marketing Communications VISTA will serve to increase the capacity of Covenant House Alaska to communicate with stakeholders and donors through various methods. The VISTA Member will have a strong understanding of Covenant House branding and be able to Increase brand awareness for current and future campaigns by creating visual content and marketing communication material. The VISTA Member will also increase reach of existing communications efforts through various media and assist in collecting success stories for Covenant House Alaska’s online or print media campaigns. The VISTA member will assist in content creation to educate the public on how they can work together to end youth homelessness in our community.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) is a living cultural center located in Anchorage, Alaska that promotes active observance of Alaska Native culture and traditions. Our mission is to preserve and strengthen the traditions, languages, and art of Alaska’s Native People through statewide collaboration, celebration, and education. We are based in Anchorage, Alaska, but serve as a statewide resource for Alaska Native people throughout Alaska. The Marketing & Communications VISTA will build capacity by increasing awareness of ANHC’s mission, community programs, and special offerings through engaged marketing campaigns, creative online content, newsletters, and more.

The VISTA member’s service year will focus on evaluating the scholarship process at Camp Fire Alaska, identifying areas of need and potential growth within scholarships, and working to promote scholarships both to families in need and to potential supporters through marketing and storytelling. Building and strengthening community partnerships will be a large part of completing this work. The VISTA will have three major goals, which are to 1) establish a story collecting process and story bank to support marketing and development, 2) build a network of partners and donors to support donations for families in need of gear for Camp Fire programs, and 3) to create a plan for supporting families through the scholarship process.

One of the goals of the Refugee Enterprise & Agriculture Program at RAIS is to increase overall health and well-being by creating meaningful workforce development and income-generating opportunities for refugee clients. This VISTA position will assist with the program’s efforts to build capacity for clients through participation in the Fresh International Gardens program. The VISTA member will also contribute to the oversight of the program’s value-added goods line and build avenues for future markets and products. The position will build relationships with community partners interested in selling refugee-made products and serve as the customer serving face of the program.

Support the development of a rural afterschool pilot development. Community outreach, project management, curriculum development opportunities will exist for this evolving project designed to address K-12 school success and community culture preservation. The VISTA will play an important role in conducting weekly searches for grant opportunities available from philanthropic organizations and state/federal governmental agencies. The creation of a grant calendar with application open and closing dates will assist the program greatly. Complete a project based on their unique skill set and interest driven projects. The VISTA member will have opportunities to develop leadership, project management, analytical, marketing, communications and curriculum development skills and knowledge. Specifically, we will work with the VISTA member to develop and design substantive projects based upon the individual’s interests and unique skill set.