Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan reports monthly to the Foundation’s board of directors on activities of the staff, of our nonprofit partners, and notable developments around the state. This post borrows from her report for a quick look at some recent events that we’ve had the pleasure to be involved with.

Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan reports monthly to the Foundation’s board of directors on activities of the staff, of our nonprofit partners, and notable developments around the state. This post borrows from her report for a quick look at some recent events that we’ve had the pleasure to be involved with.

Fisheries Summit: On December 16, Ed Rasmuson convened a Seafood-Fisheries Summit at the Foundation offices. Together with Governor Sean Parnell and University of Alaska President Patrick Gamble, some 20 university leaders, senior government officials and fisheries industry experts came together to discuss opportunities for and obstacles to employing more Alaskans in the seafood industry. Summit participants committed to supporting the development of a more integrated approach to workforce development in Alaska – a historic step for all involved.

Ed Rasmuson, Governor Sean Parnell, and me.

Ed Rasmuson, Governor Sean Parnell, and me.

Pick. Click. Give.: Doyon, Ltd. is giving Pick. Click. Give. (PCG) a boost through radio public service announcements and web ads promoting Athabascan values and giving back to the community through Pick. Click. Give. The Doyon Foundation is new to the PCG program list this year.

Another Pick. Click. Give. boost is from ExxonMobil, which is providing a 1-to-1 match, up to $100,000 of PCG donations to campuses of the University of Alaska, Ilisagvik College, and Alaska Pacific University.

Harper Arts Touring Fund: The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) has begun administering Harper Arts Touring Fund grant applications. In addition, ASCA administers Arts in Education grants. Currently, it is conducting a survey of performing arts and visual arts presenting and touring organizations in Alaska. 

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC): On December 15, Rasmuson Foundation Board Member Jeff Cook represented the Foundation at the TCC Housing First Program Ceremonial Opening. Studies have shown that individuals achieve a greater level of self-sufficiency when they obtain secure, permanent housing first rather than receiving housing as a condition of successfully completing a treatment program. In November, Foundation Board of Directors awarded TCC $450,000 to purchase a hotel to convert it into a Housing First program and medical patient housing.

Yuut Elitnaurviat: 2011 Educational Tour of Alaska Alum Dino Dinovitz, executive director of William Randolph Hearst Foundation, has made great efforts in creating partnerships in Alaska. This month, the Hearst Foundation board of directors awarded $50,000 to Yuut Elitnaurviat – People’s Learning Center in Bethel for their training programs.

Chanlyut: On December 9, Diane Kaplan attended the Chanlyut House Warming Gathering. Chanlyut, meaning “new beginnings” in Dena’ina Athabascan, is a two-year residential work-training and educational program for men afflicted by substance abuse or previously incarcerated. Last month, an expansion of Chanlyut’s residence housing was completed, increasing its program capacity to 50 individuals. Since its inception, 100 men have participated in the program which accounts for over $2M in savings to the Department of Corrections. Many residents have successfully completed probation or parole and have been free of the Department of Corrections for the first time in their adult lives. The program’s successes are in large part due to its emphasis on learning life skills, job training, and education, including the requirement that each resident earns their GED.

 

DHAT Training Director Dr. Mary Willard, Jana Schuerch, Shannon Hardy, Trisha Patton, and Kate Kohl.

DHAT Training Director Dr. Mary Willard, Jana Schuerch, Shannon Hardy, Trisha Patton, and Kate Kohl.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC): On December 9, four Dental Health Aide Therapists (DHATs) graduated from ANTHC’s two-year training program. Six others finished their first academic year in Anchorage and will spend the next year in clinical training. The graduates, from various regions of Alaska were Shannon Hardy of Fort Yukon, Trisha Patton of Napakiak, Jana Schuerch of Kiana, and Kate Kohl of Bethel. All spoke of their desire to return home and serve their community. Their scholarship sponsors were Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, and Maniilaq Association. Since the program’s inception in 2007, DHATs have increased access to preventive and restorative oral healthcare to over 35,000 Alaskans. Photo below: DHAT Training Director Dr. Mary Willard, Jana Schuerch, Shannon Hardy, Trisha Patton, and Kate Kohl.

Juneau-Douglas City Museum: The Museum held an exhibition composed entirely of works purchased through Rasmuson Foundation’s Art Acquisition Fund. Since 2003, the Museum has acquired 74 works of art by 31 Juneau artists. The Museum wrote: “This grant-funded program has added immeasurably to the Museum’s collection of contemporary art, while supporting and recognizing our community’s talented artists.” A gallery of work purchased for museums through the program can be found on Rasmuson Foundation’s home page.

Bunnell Street Arts Center:  The Alaska Artist-in-Residency program has inspired the Bunnell Street Arts Center to pursue further residencies with additional funding sources. Funded by the Homer Foundation, Sandy Gillespie from Ester, AK, will work in Bunnell’s gallery the month of January and teach workshops to youth and adults. Sandy is a 2008 individual artist award winner. United States Artist Fellow Jim Woodring  will return to Homer in March and convert the gallery into an open artist studio. Bunnell is collaborating with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to produce a summer residency program.

Chris Perez visited Yakutat on December 5 – 6 with dentists from the NYU College of Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry outreach program. The dentists stayed an entire week and provided check-ups for 90% of the village.

Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA): President Carol Gore was awarded the M. Justin Herman Memorial Award from the National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). NAHRO is the nation’s leading affordable housing and community development advocacy organization, and awards the honor to one person each year. The award is given to an individual with extraordinary accomplishment and contributions to the housing and community development fields.