Changing lives, one child at a time

The impacts of substance abuse, mental illness, and poverty on society are undeniable. But when they are present in the context of home and family, the quality of relationships deteriorates, and those most vulnerable – children – suffer the most.

R.E.A.C.H 907, a Mat-Su nonprofit organization, has been operating in one form or another since 2014 to address these issues and the negative belief systems they often create in youth. Working almost exclusively with foster children, R.E.A.C.H. 907 seeks to provide positive intervention that changes those belief systems and improves the lives of those in its care.

Executive Director Rachel Olson, who founded R.E.A.C.H. 907, said her belief in forging genuine connections and supporting the unique needs of individuals and families facing adversity is part of the organization’s general ethos.

“It is our vision that all children in Alaska know they are loved and cared for,” Olson said. “We see youth with suicidality, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Mental health services are needed in the community.”

That need has increased in the short time R.E.A.C.H. 907 has been on the scene. The demand for services provided by the organization has fueled some rapid growth, with service capacity doubling annually since mental health services were established four years ago.

In 2020, there were just four staff members at R.E.A.C.H. 907. Now there are 22, with another eight positions expected to be added by the end of next year.

“We have grown tremendously,” Olson said. “The Mat-Su Health Foundation has provided expansion grants that have developed our capacity and allowed us to have greater impact in our community.”

The health foundation has been a partner in community health and wellness since it began operation in 2008. As a minority owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the MSHF receives funding from the profits of the hospital and channels those profits back into the community through grants to nonprofit organizations like R.E.A.C.H. 907. Those philanthropic efforts have led to more than $130 million being distributed throughout the Mat-Su in the last 16 years.

This year alone, R.E.A.C.H. 907 has been the recipient of nearly $200,000 in grants, including one for $150,000 in April that will support three new hires for the organization’s Resilience Behavioral Health program for children and adolescents.

In a time of great need in the community, the ability to add staff will help R.E.A.C.H. 907 fulfill its mission to restore, empower, and strengthen Alaska’s at-risk youth and their families.

“We have wrap-around services for families, too,” Olson said. “You can’t isolate the children. Parents and caregivers need to be taken care of, too.”

Since its beginning, R.E.A.C.H. 907 has loved and cared for more than 1,000 youth in the community, helping them to overcome obstacles and change the trajectory of their lives.

“Our impact and R.E.A.C.H. has expanded so much because of the great support of the Mat-Su Health Foundation over the entirety of our existence,” Olson said. “We deeply value caring for and strengthening our community. The partnership with the health foundation strengthens us to strengthen them – our community members.”

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www.reach907ak.org