APR 2018
PAGE 2
PAGE 4
Non-Profit Directory
www.makeasceneak.com/nonprofitdirectory Families & Children: Family Promise Mat-Su www.familypromisematsu.com (907) 357-6160 A community response for families without housing. Family Promise Mat-Su, “FPMS” uses area churches for shelter while providing meals and case management to help homeless families move back into housing and self-sustainability. In addition we provide state funds(BHAP) for homeless prevention.
Connect Palmer Inc. www.ConnectPalmer.org (907) 746-9675 Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women located in downtown Palmer. Connect Palmer’s two primary programs are God’s Work Design, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, which a Safe and Caring place for ladies, without homes, to live while they participate in our back to work and life skills programs. We also offer different community assistant programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instruction. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
OTHER Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. www.mshsak.org (907) 376-2411 Dedicated to improving the health of our community, one person at a time – through affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.The clinic is a Federally qualified Health Care Center and we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other third-party insurances. For those who qualify, there is a sliding scale payment, based on household income. We offer early morning and evening appointments appointment. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411.
APR 2018
Mat-Su Sertoma Club www.matsuhearing.org or www.matsuplunge.org “CAN YOU HEAR ME?” Sertoma stands for SERvice TO MAnkind. Mat-Su Sertoma is a 501(c )3 non-profit membership organization whose purpose is to support hearing health in the Mat-Su Valley through education, hearing testing and support of services that assist individuals with deafness and hearing loss. Mat-Su Sertoma membership is open to the public. Anyone can attend one of our membership meetings. Won’t you join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Windbreak (Trout House) 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sertoma’s Annual Scholarship Program … Apply: www.matsuhearing.org.
Families & Children:
ARTS:
Denali Family Services
Valley Arts Alliance
291 East Swanson Ave. Wasilla, AK 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org Denali Family Services provides therapeutic foster care to Alaskan children with mental health needs. If you are committed to working with a team, receiving training and implementing positive interventions to schoolage children and teens, we need your talents and skills. We are in search of professional, therapeutic foster parents who are willing to make a commitment to the children of Alaska by providing a stable home environment. For more information, please call or email our Foster Care Recruiter, Ernestina D. Olivares, at 907-222-2331 or eolivares@ denalifs.org.
www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... We are a place for both new and established artists of all types— painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts—to network and to experiment with new ideas and media. We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events. Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Check out our archives www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com
Mat-Su Health Foundation
Valley Community for Recycling Solutions
healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863 The Mat-Su Health Foundation offers financial and strategic support to well-managed 501(c)(3) organizations that offer services and practical solutions to significant health-related problems impacting the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough. The foundation also offers academic and vocational scholarships to Mat-Su residents who wish to pursue health and wellness related careers.
Pets & Animals: Alaska Animal Advocates www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com (907) 841-3173 Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska. In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environments, address medical concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed. We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen. In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volunteers and foster homes.
CONSERVATION: www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544 RECYCLING – It’s not just for hippies anymore!! Everyone in the Mat-Su valley can recycle. Drop your stuff off Tues – Fri 10:30 to 6 and Sat 10:30 to 3:30. Recycle cardboard, magazines, this newspaper and more at your community recycling center. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE! Your community recycling center is located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the MSB Central Landfill. Volunteer opportunities available. Make a difference in your community! Check out our website for details, follow us on Facebook. www.valleyrecycling.org - Call us at 907.745.5544 with questions or comments.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Mat-Su Regional Adult Basic Education (Nine Star) MatsuAdultEd@ninestar.com (907) 373-7833 Mat-Su ABE provides basic education in math, language arts and English as a second language (ESL), aiming to raise student skills beyond the high-school level in order to pass tests like the GED, enter training programs or college, and advance on the job. Enrollment is open to all adult residents of Alaska, year-round. Youth Employment for ages 16-24 not in school -- get a job, keep a job, advance on the job. Nine Star 300 N Willow 373-3006 (in the MYHouse building)
FAITH: Valley Interfaith Action (VIA) www.valleyinterfaithaction.org (907) 230-1006 To address quality of life issues for all residents of the Mat-Su Borough, utilizing the faith values of our members, developing community-wide interest and mobilization around quality of life issues. Through training, leaders address community problems by providing forums for discussion, researching alternative solutions, and working as facilitators with residents and leaders for institutional change.
HOMELESS YOUTH: Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY HOUSE) myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357 MY House is a homeless youth drop in center with two for-profit businesses that train and employ homeless youth. Gathering Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop with homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Steamdriven is a trendy thrift shop featuring Steampunk items made from repurposed donations by our youth designers. Fiend2Clean and Young People in Recovery offer support for substance abuse recovery with activities and events. We offer transitional housing for qualified 18-24 year olds, Outreach services to connect homeless youth, organizations and groups to services, and access to Public Health and NineStar job/education services on site.
SOCIAL ADVOCACY: Wasilla Homeless-Committee www.wasillahomeless-committee.org (907) 521-2949 Wasilla Homeless-Committee is a 100% volunteer organization funded by private donations and regular fundraising events. Our sole purpose is to assist the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and others who do not meet the criteria for help that is required by other advocacy agencies in the valley. Wasilla Homeless-Committee provides case management, housing search assistance, move in assistance, job search assistance, clothing, furniture, help with transportation, and resource guidance for homeless and disenfranchised in the Mat-Su Valley. Visit our website for application, or call 907521-2949. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ wasillahomelesscommitteepage
Calendar of Events
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
PAGE 6
Technology
APR 2018
Photography
Contributed by Charice Chambers Sister Ann Marie knew that Patty Halley was special, so she encouraged the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania high school senior to apply for a college art scholarship. The sister was right; Halley won the scholarship and was able to begin her college art education. Times were tough and money was scarce. Halley was forced to quit school, and joined the army for four years. Following her separation, she used the GI Bill to complete a BS in nursing. For many years, she worked in hospitals, doctor’s offices and as a school nurse, her love of art all but forgotten. Then she had a close call with a serious illness. After she recovered, time became very precious to her. Her desire to immerse herself in art became her paramount focus. With help and support from her husband, she began participating in workshops with well-known wildlife artist, Judi Rideout. Thanks to guidance and encouragement from Rideout, Halley began to find her way as an artist. After several oil painting workshops, Rideout suggested that Halley focus on animal portraits, as she seemed particularly gifted in that area. For the past seven years Halley has done just that. She has produced over 200 portraits, mostly dogs and cats; though, she has done some others including horses. As can be seen, her portraits capture not only the animal’s visage, but its personality as well. Many of her portraits have also been made into blank greeting cards. Halley is always ready for new and challenging portrait opportunities, and can be contacted at paintedpets. online for inquiries. Five years ago, Halley and a friend who was also an artist decided to research ideas for something both artistic and unique that could be created for both the tourist and local market. After
PAGE 11
Arts much time and thought, they were inspired to create a series of Alaskan ornaments in the form of small Alaskan Native dolls. These Alaskan dolls were adorned with real furs of all types. Originally, both male and female, they were depicted involved in traditional activities such as fishing, hunting, kayaking, berry picking, and sewing. Today, they can be found knitting, gardening, painting, dancing and a variety of other activities. Halley will even create unique dolls for special occasions. Though originally intended to hang on a Christmas tree, many people display their dolls year round using stands now available for them. Recently, Halley took a new foray into yet another art form, and created a series of felted angels and fairies. Whimsical and unique, these heavenly creations have proved quite popular. Though firmly entrenched in Alaska after 20+ years in the state, Halley has become a bit of a snowbird, spending some time each year in Arkansas. Perhaps this is why Halley calls her native dolls, Arctic Belles. Reminiscent of the term “southern belles”, it just sort of makes sense. Daughter Katie Halley also exhibits artistic abilities, though in a slightly different medium: prose. At the age of 13, Katie wrote a children’s book, a fantasy about a magical horse, entitled “Running Red”. A fun read for both children and adults, it has been published in soft back and is now available along with Patty Halley’s Arctic Belles and blank greeting cards at the Mat-Su Senior Center Gift Shop. Located at 1132 South Chugach Street in Palmer across from Palmer Junior Middle School, the gift shop is open to both seniors and the public, Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm.
APR 2018
APR 2018
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com PAGE 12
Writing / Literature
Music
Music & Entertainment
page 15
Literature
www. MAKEASCENEAK .com
Fall Registration Is open! UAonline.alaska.edu
https://matsu.alaska.edu/skills-that-work/
UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.
APR 2018
Starting college in fall? Apply now!
on tuition for occupational endorsement courses from any UA campus.