Connections is an AmeriCorps placement program, which places its members in locations such as schools, agencies, and organizations in order to either:

--- Provide prevention education (healthy alternatives to risky behaviors) to school-aged youth    OR

--- Help perform high-priority backlog projects for local, state, federal, non-profit and Native agencies that result in improved public lands and facilities, and increased public safety.

Each sponsoring agency develops their own project and AmeriCorps Connections position description. Sponsors provide the AmeriCorps members with supervision, mentoring, and support. SAGA provides stipends and other AmeriCorps benefits.

Operated by Southeast Alaska Guidance Association (SAGA) contact Marilyn Young at 907-789-6172 or
1-800-789-6172.

Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAYC) The Serve Alaska Youth Corps AmeriCorps members work in teams, performing service projects for our land agency sponsors. Projects include trail work and recreation site enhancements, fire fuels reduction work, stream restoration, cultural site rehabilitation, public safety enhancements on Alaskan highways, invasive weed removal and much more.

Operated by Southeast Alaska Guidance Association (SAGA) contact Scott Young at 907-789-6172 or 1-800-789-6172.

The Alaska Coalition for Prisoner Re-Entry (CPR) program is an opportunity to assist in providing a second chance for those who have been incarcerated. AKCPR is a partnership of a network of community, faith, and governmental agencies that help ex-offenders successfully re-enter the community.

Operated by Nine Star Enterprises Contact Bonnie Hughes at
907-279-7827.

Learn and Earn
Nine Star's mission is to develop Alaska's workforce through basic skills education, work readiness, job skills training, computer instruction and management level consulting. We help Alaskans get a job, keep a job, and advance on the job.

Operated by Nine Star Enterprises Contact Bonnie Hughes at
907-279-7827.

The Building Initiatives in Rural Community Health (BIRCH) AmeriCorps Program supports 15 AmeriCorps members from rural communities across Alaska. Members work with other health providers and community residents to identify the highest priority health issues to address.

During their year of service, members focus on any number of community public health areas. In 2003, RurAL CAP conducted a statewide survey for help identify the most common and important health and wellness issues for local communities. While alcohol and drug prevention were the top issues noted by community members, the list also included: Environmental Health, Dental Care, Tobacco, Reproductive Health, Nutrition, Diabetes, Healthy Families, Elder Care, Village Safety, Exercise and Physical Health, Cultural Empowerment and Preservation, Suicide Prevention, FASD.

The BIRCH AmeriCorps Program strengthens communities by expanding opportunities for people of all ages to be involved in community activities and decision making, and in addressing problems like those above. Drawing upon rural Alaskans unique cultures and ways of life, BIRCH AmeriCorps members support youth, elders, families and communities in building local solutions to local health and wellness issues.

Operated by Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) Contact Joie Brown, at 907-865-7356.

Rural Alaska Village Environmental Network (RAVEN)
The Youth Development AmeriCorps program serves rural Alaskan communities by promoting environmental education, implementing energy conservation, encouraging recycling and waste reduction, and fostering community involvement in area-wide clean-up efforts. Each year, 20 RAVEN AmeriCorps members improve environmental conditions across rural Alaska.

Locally recruited RAVEN AmeriCorps members partner with tribal environmental programs, faith-based organizations, community schools, and tribal and city councils. Members recruit volunteers in their communities, lead community-wide clean-ups; start and improve recycling and waste reduction programs; design and implement solid waste management plans, provide community education on household hazardous wastes, collect used oil for re-use; remove lead/acid batteries, abandoned vehicles and other hazardous wastes from their villages; and improve community waste disposal and removal systems.

RAVEN members also host healthy activities for youth. They organize youth events, provide volunteer opportunities for youth, and serve as local role models as they address local environmental issues with local solutions.

Operated by Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) Contact Ellen Kazary at 907-865-7358.

Students In Service
Up to 80 students per year participate in the Students In Service AmeriCorps program, a collaboration between RurAL CAP and the University of Alaska. Since 1999, RurAL CAP, in partnership with the Social Work and Nursing departments at the Universities of Alaska Anchorage and Fairbanks, has provided undergraduate and graduate social work students the opportunity to earn a partial education award by completing community service hours in conjunction with their practicum requirements.

The goal of the Students In Service program is to develop a statewide program that responds both to the educational needs of university students and the needs of people they serve in their social work practical experiences. Through their AmeriCorps service, social work students address a number of social needs, including: domestic violence, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, employment and training, teen pregnancy, corrections & juvenile delinquency, child development, vocational or other rehabilitation programs. Nursing students serve in public health initiatives, clinical practices, child welfare, and rural health centers.

Students In Service AmeriCorps members serve on a reduced part-time basis to complete 450 hours of service over a nine-month period. During that time, they contribute valuable service to their communities and use their AmeriCorps experience to further their education while preparing themselves for professional human service careers.

Operated by Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) Contact Joie Brown, at 907-865-7356.

Sitka Summer Youth Camp
The summer program is a youth focused section consisting of 1 full time member and 12 minimum time members. Members will be placed in an educational program that will provide construction and maintenance services for the community, while developing job skills as future employees. These 12 members will return to school, gain employment or apprenticeship positions as measured in a six-month post survey. That the service provided by these members in the 10 week program will enhance the community in several strands of needs such as our physical activity choices, volunteer recruitment and economical impact of the fishing industry.

Operated by Sitka Community Schools. Contact Faith Lee at
907-966-1452.

Sitka Helping Hands
The Helping Hands program is a member focused section consisting of 12 full time members that will be placed at host sites providing in and out of school activities such as tutoring, coaching, volunteer coordination, service-learning and other prevention-education issues related to keeping young people in school and preventing issues such as substance abuse that becomes barriers to school, work and social success. One member will work with end of life clients in a local hospice agency. These members will work together on a community service project that will continue with the maintenance piece to be provided by incoming members.

Operated by Sitka Community Schools. Contact Faith Lee at
907-966-1452.

Summer of Service
This program brings together 30 youth from around the Fairbanks area and provides them with structured training and service opportunities over the summer months.  These youth, some of whom are at-risk, gain knowledge in proper food handling techniques and receive their food handler’s permit.  They then help provide meals to underprivileged youth in the area.  They also connect with a number of local businesses and organizations, learning about the different services provided and then helping serve the community through those organizations.

Operated by Joel’s Place. Contact Linda Setterberg at (907) 452-2621.