Others first: Project Life Interns step up for Alaskans in need

For the students and staff of Project Life, generosity isn’t just a lesson it’s a way of giving back. Their motto says it best: Others first.

Project Life is a transition program based in Wasilla and operating as a satellite of Valley Pathways School under principal William Reeder, helping young adults ages 18–22 bridge the gap between high school and independent living.

Led by longtime teacher Ray Hafen, who guides the program alongside three dedicated paraprofessionals. Project Life focuses on employment, daily living, and social skills in a community environment.

“We get paychecks for some of the jobs we do,” Hafen explained. “The school district helps manage that, and students can use it for what they choose. “

When devastating floods struck the Western Alaska village of Kipnuk, the Project Life interns were deeply moved by what they saw; homes swept from their foundations, families standing amongst the wreckage. After several days of following the stories together, “they saw families standing in cargo planes with nothing but the clothes on their back.” The faces on the screen became real to them fellow Alaskans, neighbors, not strangers.

“Oh my goodness those people don’t have anything that I have in my house. They felt genuine compassion for their fellow citizens.”

“One of the interns said, ‘I get it now!’” Hafen recalled.

That was the moment. Suddenly everyone understood what it meant and they wanted to help. Hafen continued with the story, how the students gathered around the idea.“Yeah we need to do something to help our neighbors. We talked about what it meant to be an Alaskan, Alaskans watch out for one another.”

Within hours, and days the class mobilized.

“We looked up people and organizations that were helping...we got a list of needs and said let's go do this!” Hafen said. “We got the word out to families so they could support us on the home end.”

Using their school bus, they organized shopping teams and filled carts with diapers, canned goods, and other essentials for flood evacuees.

“The families brought in piles of items that we didn’t even ask for.”

“We did it quickly because the need was urgent,” Hafen said. They gave up their weekly meal outing to serve others instead. It became both a teaching and a learning experience; they understood that generosity has meaning when it’s shared.

“Long story short, we had hundreds of pounds of material that we brought to the Palmer City Hall.”

For Hafen and his students, service isn’t an occasional project, it's part of their identity.

“People have been generous with these students their whole lives,” he said. “We want to make sure that all the wonderful things others have done for us, we now do for others in return.”

That message others first has guided Project Life for more than 16 years, helping young adults grow into contributing, compassionate members of the Mat-Su community.Through small acts of kindness and big-hearted teamwork, Project Life interns continue to prove that service, empathy, and community spirit are the most valuable life skills of all.

“What’s the most important thing?” Hafen said, reflecting on the program’s motto. “Service to other people. Others first.“