Coalition of youth programs named winner of annual Bert Hall Award

A local health and wellness partnership has been recognized for its efforts to improve the quality of life for Valley youth.

Thrive Mat-Su Coalition has been honored with the 2025 Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community. The coalition consists of nonprofit organizations Thrive, United Way of Mat-Su, and Youth 360.

The award, called the “Bertie,” is presented annually by the Mat-Su Health Foundation to an individual or group that consistently exemplifies commitment to improving the lives of Mat-Su residents. It was given this year at the Health Foundation’s annual meeting on June 9.

Esther Pitts, MSHF’s president and CEO, said the three organizations have been working collaboratively across the region to create positive impact on local systems that support youth.

“Mat-Su youth are a core focus for the Foundation and its community partners,” Pitts said. “Because of their phenomenal work, our youth are growing up in an environment with greater access to social connectivity, healthy activities, and programs that support their critical developmental years.”

Thrive was established 18 years ago with the goal of reducing youth substance misuse and improving community wellness in the Mat-Su Borough. Youth 360 is committed to providing safe and invigorating environments for young people to explore, study, and flourish.

Thrive and Youth 360 are both under the umbrella of United Way of Mat-Su. They have built a system of positive youth development through a collaborative approach that promotes a variety of out-of-school opportunities.

Working with numerous community partners — including faith-based organizations, nonprofits, local businesses, behavioral health providers, school districts, volunteers, and other coalitions — the organizations serve Mat-Su Borough youth and make long-term investments in their well-being.

Stephanie Allen, United Way of Mat-Su’s executive director, said it was honor to be selected for the award.

“It means so much to United Way of Mat-Su, Thrive, and Youth 360 to be recognized for our commitment to Mat-Su youth and families,” she said. “It truly is a blessing to get to work with youth, families, and fantastic community partners.”

The Bert Hall Award is named in honor of longtime Mat-Su resident and advocate Bert Hall. He was the first recipient of the award in 2013.

Hall has served Alaska in many capacities, including as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center board member, associate director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, director of health and social services for the Municipality of Anchorage, and as the Alaska liaison to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

He also served as president of the Alaska Public Health Association, represented Alaska on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, and served on the Alaska Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

Hall has been a mentor and friend to many people in the Mat-Su. He has committed much of his life to making improvements in health and human services and the quality of life for veterans, for Mat-Su residents and for all Alaskans. The Mat-Su Health Foundation salutes him annually by awarding the Bertie to an organization or member of the community that lives up to his example.

The nonprofit Mat-Su Health Foundation shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and actively participates in the governance of the hospital while protecting the community’s interest in this important health-care institution.

The Health Foundation invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su.

FIND OUT MORE: www.healthymatsu.org