MY House Announces 501(c)3 Title Change

MY House is known throughout the Mat-Su Borough and beyond as a non-profit providing support, job training, addiction counseling, and housing for homeless and at-risk youth. It started as nothing more than a small space in a local non-traditional school before becoming a certified 501(c)3 in 2011. It later opened its current drop-in center in 2013. But no matter where it’s located, it has always been identified as MY House.

However, that was not its official name. It was actually known as “Matsu Youth Housing,” which might be a source of confusion. On February 17, MY House founder Michelle Overstreet announced that the 501(c)3 title has been changed officially from “Matsu Youth Housing” to “MY House,” reflecting the fact that the organization has been going by this moniker for many years. “A primary goal of this change by our board is to remove any confusion that could stem from continuing to have our ‘paperwork’ name differ from what we call ourselves,” Overstreet said.

She went on to say that by officially changing the name better represents the background of the clients they serve, many of whom come from outside the Borough.

Many people may not realize that name -– MY House-- actually derives itself from the previous official title of “Matsu Youth Hous(e)ing.”

“The Governance Board and Youth Board of Directors made the decision to keep the “M” and “Y” of our now updated title both capitalized to pay homage to this fact, while also making it more distinct that when “MY House” is put in writing we are referring to our organization and not, for example, inviting someone to our personal residence. “

Overstreet said that nothing while change regarding the services MY House provides, they did want to highlight the adjustment to show how the Governance Board and Youth Board continue to collaborating with each other on organizational decisions both big and small, while also providing the historical context behind the organization’s title. “Our Board also believes this change better justifies our desire to serve a larger population from across the state of Alaska.”

MY House is continuing to provide services for homeless and at-risk youth at the drop-in center on 300 N. Willow Street in Wasilla, while work continues on the Carson-Cottle Center, on Wasilla-Fishhook Road.