Mat-Su community gathers to support MY House annual meeting

As homelessness continues to affect young people in Alaska, local non-profit MY House gathered community partners, residents, and youth leaders for their annual meeting to showcase successful initiatives that have helped hundreds of teens transition into stable, independent lives. The meeting highlighted the growth of their on-site vocational training, including the Gathering Grounds Cafe, Jeff’s Path, and Youth Board of Directors, affirming their role as a leading, youth-led support system in the Mat-Su Valley.

Founder Michelle Overstreet kicked the meeting off, relaying that for over a decade, MY House has guided Alaskan youth from homelessness to stability with some of the highest success rates in the nation, citing that their approach works. She noted that one-third of the My House staff are former clients who are now certified professionals, proving that when youth are empowered, the whole community thrives.

“As we share the growth of our programs, please join us in celebrating a community that cares for youth in a way that helps them feel seen, heard, and empowered to be successful.”

A key highlight for Overstreet is the establishment of Jeff’s Path, a treatment program for young adults aged 18-25. Launched last year, the program successfully treated 27 individuals in its first year. "We designed it for youth aged 18 to 25 in response to their needs, focusing on education, relapse prevention, and a peer-supported approach to recovery," Overstreet explained.

She said that the plan was for 80% capacity by the end of the first year, but instead, there was a waiting list for Jeff’s Path. “If you have a waiting list for a youth program, it’s bad. Because if a youth says I’m ready to get into treatment, we need to get them in within 24-48 hours, or we lose them.”

The center was named in honor of Overstreet’s husband Jeff Overstreet, who passed away unexpectedly in early 2025. His affinity for cycling was also incorporated into the logo, something especially meaningful to Overstreet. “I feel tremendously honored to have that memory of him.”

Bryan Fields, Behavioral Health Program Director, told attendees that Jeff’s Path is specifically designed as a substance abuse residential treatment program for young adults who may feel that other treatment options aren’t designed for them or that they have very different life experiences, which can sometimes alienate young people struggling with addiction, leading them to leave treatment. “We were already heading in that direction…we knew we had to act.”

The center recently relocated to the Big Lake area, providing an opportunity for growth and additional therapeutic spaces, and allowing Jeff’s Path to expand with 12 treatment beds for participants. “With this team, it’s not just about doing a job. They’re very passionate about serving our youth.”

He said the facility opened and offered an opportunity for clients to get clean and sober with peers, recognize behaviors, and break the cycle, but also transform and build on their lives, growing their skills to include job training and become part of the community. “It’s really important that they get this opportunity.”

Maggie Edwards-Jones then took to the stage to talk about the plans for the next year, including continuing to shape the programs at MY House, using the experiences that the clients share to provide more effective and successful services for the youth they serve. “I’m proud of everything we’re doing and have done this past year.”