Education, outreach, connections drive local nonprofit

The Wasilla Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Nonprofit of the Year is continuing its commitment to the community in 2025.

For more than three decades, LINKS Resource Center has been a lifeline for individuals and families in the Mat-Su Valley. Started 31 years ago by a small group of parents advocating for their children's educational needs, the organization has grown and thrived while remaining true to its mission of connecting local people with essential community resources.

Kelly Newman, LINKS’ director of employee enrichment and outreach, said at its core, LINKS is about people helping people. The organization serves seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, families, and others, ensuring no one is left without support.

“The organization is driven by a deep commitment to ensuring everyone in Mat-Su has access to the resources they need to thrive,” Newman said.

That mission got a boost in February with a pair of grants from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. The nearly $1.2 million will fund operations for many of the programs LINKS sponsors.

“Behind every life-changing resource and support service is the power of funding,” Newman said. “Thanks to grants provided by the Mat-Su Health Foundation, LINKS can expand its reach to remote areas of the Valley and continue making a difference.”

Investing in community and health and wellness is nothing new for the Mat-Su Health Foundation. Since its formation in 2007 as a minority owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the nonprofit Health Foundation has been returning a portion of its share of hospital profits to the community in the form of scholarships, sponsorships, and grants to nonprofits across the Valley. In 17 years, that investment has exceeded $138 million.

“The impact of these MSHF grants extends far beyond financial support. They provide hope, stability, and life-changing assistance to those who might otherwise struggle to find crucial services,” Newman said. “Whether navigating complex systems like Medicaid and Social Security, or accessing disability resources and healthcare services, LINKS has been a trusted guide, empowering community members with advocacy, education, and direct assistance.”

Connecting the community requires collaboration, and LINKS has forged meaningful partnerships with health-care providers, schools, and other organizations to strengthen a still-growing support network across the community. That sense of community runs deep in the organization. In addition to its regular work, LINKS hosts outreach booths at events like Project Homeless Connect and the Palmer Community Resource Fair. LINKS has also had strong volunteer presence at community events like Mat-Su Special Santa, United Ways’ Day of Caring, and Special Olympics Mat-Su.

“We help build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, one person at a time,” Newman said. “But none of this could be accomplished without the continued support of the Mat-Su Health Foundation. The vital resources they provide help us continue to change lives daily in the Mat-Su.”

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https://linksprc.org/