2024 Rock the Resilience event draws community-wide participation

PALMER — The 2024 Rock the Resilience event drew a large number of youth and adult participants from across the community.

Rock the Resilience is an annual event hosted by No More Mat-Su, a local chapter of the international nonprofit organization, “No More,” a campaign aiming to end domestic violence and sexual assault. The event serves as an opportunity to raise awareness for the cause.

No More Mat-Su Executive Director Haley Mayer said that she was thrilled with how everything turned out this year.

“It was amazing," Mayer said.

This year's Rock the Resilience event featured an array of artwork, performances, and speaker presentations provided by local youth and adults.

Performances ranged from poetry readings to live music. Mayer said that she was thankful for the overall participation, especially the inclusion of local youth.

“I'm just really blown away by how many performers gave their time,” Mayer said.

Community member Dorothy O'Neill shared an original poem during the event which centered around her experiences with homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

“It is a very vulnerable piece but sharing it was very empowering,” O’Neill said.

O'Neill said that Rock the Resilience is an important outlet, especially for local youth.

“Being able to share parts of my story and connecting with them in that way was so freeing. It helped me take my power back and do good with something so ugly,” O'Neill said. "I work in the mental health field as a peer support for teenagers with histories of trauma and helping to give them a voice and spread hope while teaching them coping mechanisms has been something so special. I want youth to know that they are valued and a part of their community and events like Rock the Resilience really help that.”

O'Neill added that Rock the Resilience offered local youth a platform to share their talents such as music and art. She said that when teens see peers their age share their passions and their stories can be extremely helpful.

“I love the whole event because it was very encouraging," O'Neill said. “I think it's really important and impactful for our teens.”

A band composed of Wasilla High School and Wasilla Middle School students, So Out of Luck was one of several bands that performed during the 2024 Rock the Resilience.

So Out of Luck band members Katie Craft, Cyrus Gilcrease, Devan Harris and Joseph Sakis all shared a common appreciation for what No More Mat-Su is trying to accomplish with the Rock the Resilience event.

“This event is an amazing way for the community to thrive together," Sakis said.

“I think this was a really good thing for people to hear and be able to listen to," Craft said.

“I think more of these events would help Alaska as a whole," Gilcrease said.

WMS teacher Chelsea Clark is So Out of Luck's biggest fan. She said the band has been playing for three years, and she was very happy that the young musicians had an opportunity to perform at an event of this scale.

“I'm very, very proud of them. They've come a long way,” Clark said.

Harris also expressed gratitude for the chance to perform at Rock the Resilience.

“It was honestly an honor. It was a big step for us,” Harris said.

Rock the Resilience also featured a variety of local groups and organizations with core values that reflect No More Mat-Su's mission such as Alaska Family Services, Thrive Mat-Su, and Youth 360. Visitors were able to browse through an array of tables to receive information, grab free merchandise and play games.

The annual Rock the Resilience event is a grassroots collaboration between various nonprofits, businesses, schools and other groups across the community.

This year's event was arranged through collaboration with the Mat-Su College’s Journey program and a network of local nonprofits and businesses.

“The community support was amazing," Mayer said.

Mat-Su College Student Services interim director Adelina Rodriguez said that Rock the Resilience is an effective way to raise awareness about No More Mat-Su’s mission to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

“It's an important issue that happens everywhere unfortunately,” Rodriguez said. “It's sad to know that it happens to anybody, but hopefully having these conversations and having these events, we'll be able to find solutions. That is the goal. Education is critical.”

Mayer said that Alaska's high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault makes efforts by organizations like No More Mat-Su all the more important and events like Rock the Resilience helps further their mission.

“I think it's essential," Mayer said. “I hope it continues on every year to have that full impact.”

No More Mat-Su is hosting an event at Black Birch Books called Coffee, Consent, and Conversation April 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. aligning with Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

For more information about No More Mat-Su, email nomorematsuak@gmail.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com