Help Kids in Crisis Have a Safe Place in Chevak AK
Donation protected
We are two teachers living in bush Alaska that see a need to help children in crisis stay safe. Finding a strong support system in the Alaskan bush is difficult, so many parents/guardians turn to alcohol. At times, this can create a problem at home that results in children needing a safe place to sleep for one, two, or several nights. Right now, there are several children in the village that sleep outside, on friend's couches, or in abandoned buildings. These children have little/no access to food, little/no access to proper clothing, and are struggling to survive.
To put it in perspective, Chevak is a village of about 1,000 people in southwest Alaska. It is not on the road system, and other than the school, there are very few jobs that support the community. In the winter, the temperatures can get as low as -60 with constant high winds. Chevak is covered in snow from late October through late May. The entire community works hard to support as many of the children as they can by taking in nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, and younger siblings, but there are often not enough beds to go around. Having a dedicated building and organization to help care for children in crisis will benefit the entire community.
The Lighthouse Project was created to help these children in crisis have a dedicated safe place to sleep, get a warm meal, and find the resources they need to get through the crisis. We have teamed up with the Traditional Council and City of Chevak to work towards providing family resources that will provide appropriate support for families, such as parent support groups and AA meetings.
We are asking for help to get The Lighthouse Project off of the ground. We need funds to secure a temporary facility, as well as funds to purchase beds, food, housewares, clothing, toiletries, and the other supplies necessary for operating and staffing a safe house. Right now, our main goal is to get the children in a safe place. As the project grows, we will introduce other family services such as support groups, counseling services, and AA meetings.
Your donation might mean the difference in a child having a safe place to sleep tonight or face an uncertain night outdoors. Children that feel safe are more likely to attend school, and their behavior at school greatly improves, as does their self-esteem and confidence. Your small donation today can positively impact a child's life for years to come!
We are so grateful to those who decide to make a donation - together, we can help these kids and families!
To put it in perspective, Chevak is a village of about 1,000 people in southwest Alaska. It is not on the road system, and other than the school, there are very few jobs that support the community. In the winter, the temperatures can get as low as -60 with constant high winds. Chevak is covered in snow from late October through late May. The entire community works hard to support as many of the children as they can by taking in nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, and younger siblings, but there are often not enough beds to go around. Having a dedicated building and organization to help care for children in crisis will benefit the entire community.
The Lighthouse Project was created to help these children in crisis have a dedicated safe place to sleep, get a warm meal, and find the resources they need to get through the crisis. We have teamed up with the Traditional Council and City of Chevak to work towards providing family resources that will provide appropriate support for families, such as parent support groups and AA meetings.
Eventually, we would like to offer support services to entire families so they can stay together in the village. Keeping the children in the village is beneficial for many reasons. Often times, parents are reluctant to seek help because they fear being separated from their children. This means they won't seek treatment or assistance due to the fear of having their children taken, so the issue continues to grow. If the children were able to remain in the village, the parents may feel better about seeking help. Also, this is the last Cup'ik tribe. Keeping the children in the village ensures that their culture and people survive for years to come.
We are asking for help to get The Lighthouse Project off of the ground. We need funds to secure a temporary facility, as well as funds to purchase beds, food, housewares, clothing, toiletries, and the other supplies necessary for operating and staffing a safe house. Right now, our main goal is to get the children in a safe place. As the project grows, we will introduce other family services such as support groups, counseling services, and AA meetings.
Your donation might mean the difference in a child having a safe place to sleep tonight or face an uncertain night outdoors. Children that feel safe are more likely to attend school, and their behavior at school greatly improves, as does their self-esteem and confidence. Your small donation today can positively impact a child's life for years to come!
We are so grateful to those who decide to make a donation - together, we can help these kids and families!
Organizer
Virginia Johnson
Organizer
Chevak, AK