Animals:
Alaska Animal Advocates
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.
Arts:
Valley Arts Alliance
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.
Community:
Mat-Su Health Foundation
www.healthymatsu.org
(907) 352-2863
The mission of the Mat-Su Health Foundation is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. The tools we use include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change.
We have generated significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. Visit healthymatsu.org to learn about scholarship and funding opportunities.
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. Those who are without insurance are under insured or who have insurance are all welcome to call and schedule an appointment with us.
We offer early morning and evening appointments - you can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411. Now offering services in our new location at the East Lake Mall in Big Lake.
Matanuska Electric Association
Charitable Foundation (MEACF)
www.mea.coop/mea-in-the-community
meacontact@mea.coop
907-761-9300
Since 2011, the MEA Charitable Foundation has given grants to fund projects impacting libraries, playgrounds, seniors, veterans, recycling, at-risk youth, and much more.
In 2019, MEA Charitable Foundation reached over $1,000,000 in contributions to the community with the Operation RoundUp program.
Organizational grants are capped at $10,000. Please remember to check our website for requirements and submit your complete application - including financials. For meeting and reviewing grants, MEACF operates on a quarterly cycle.
Wasilla Seniors, Inc.
www.wasillaseniors.com
907-376-3104
Wasilla Area Seniors Mission to provide for the lives of seniors living in the Matanuska Susitna Valley and to enable seniors to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
WASI provides services, resources, and activities to promote health and independence such as Club50 Fitness Center. Club50 is for individuals 50 years of age and older and provides clean, accessible exercise equipment and offers a variety of FREE fitness classes for seniors of all skills and mobility levels.
For more information give us a call, or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/WasillaAreaSeniorsInc
United Way of Mat-Su
907-373-5807
unitedwaymatsu.org
550 S. Alaska St., Suite 205
Palmer, AK 99645
United Way of Mat-Su strives to make our community a place where all individuals can thrive. We focus on the building blocks of Education, Financial Stability and Health for all, providing resource assistance, community collaboration and advocacy, outreach and engagement across the spectrum.
Early childhood and family support, youth programs, grants for nonprofits, and disaster relief; Mat-Su Valley Resource Guide; volunteer opportunities; Stuff the Bus; Project Homeless Connect. Call for information on Thrive Mat-Su Coalition, Early Childhood Partnership, Youth 360 and the Alaska Wellness Coalition.
Conservation:
Valley Community for Recycling Solutions
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 Mon – Fri 9:30 – 5:00 and Sat 8:00 – 5:00. Recycle cardboard, magazines, this newspaper and more at your community recycling center. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE!
We are 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, www.valleyrecycling.org - Call us at 907.745.5544 with questions or comments.
Employment Services:
Mat-Su Regional Adult Basic Education (Nine Star)
www.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:
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 household cleaning items and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instruction. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization.
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.
Family:
Mat-Su YMCA
Families & Children
matsu@ymcaalaska.org
(907) 203-9046
Our Mat-Su YMCA provides affordable and quality licensed child care services throughout the Valley. Our summer camp of 2020 is ending in both Wasilla and Palmer. Before/After School programs are beginning in several elementary schools throughout the Valley.
If you would like to advocate for a program at your school, please go to our website: www.matsuymca.org to complete our brief survey with your needs. We are standing with our community families and the MSBSD to support both Before/After school programs as well as School camps if/when our Covid 19 threat level changes and parents need care for their children.
Homeless Youth:
Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY HOUSE)
www.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 907-521-2949. Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/wasillahomelesscommitteepage
