Stein resigns from Kids Are People

April 8, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Citing a desire to change scenery and tackle new career challenges, former Wasilla mayor John Stein will step down from his post as executive director of Kids Are People Inc. on May 31. Stein will move to Southeast Alaska with his son, Jackson Stein, on June 1,

to take the city/borough administrator position

in Sitka.

Under Stein's leadership, since 1996, the annual budget for KAP youth services has grown from $150,000 to $1.25 million. During that period, staff numbers increased from five to 30.

"We've come a long way," Stein said in a phone interview Tuesday. "When we first started, we had two folks in a runaway shelter and minimum beds. With community support we have built that program and now have eight beds and another program for girls, with six beds."

Reflecting on his eight years working at KAP, Stein said he's proud of the fact that the organization has really cemented its relationship with state and local agencies.

"We are really very much a part of the safety net in the Valley," he said. "The other thing that is significant is the level of training and professionalism for the direct contact staff."

In addition to staff improvements, KAP has also acquired ownership of the land and buildings for the Dorothy Saxton Youth Shelter and the Youth Transitional Living Center, both in Wasilla. KAP operates the Dorothy Saxton Youth Shelter, Girls' Transitional Living Center, Juvenile Assessment Center, Children's Support Groups, and tobacco prevention and abstinence education programs.

Stein is a 20-year resident of the Valley. He and his wife, Karen Marie, and sons Reber, Morgan and Peter arrived in Wasilla in 1985. Son Jackson was born in 1989. Karen died in January 2005.

"I'm going to miss the variety and the space that the Valley has to offer," Stein said. "However, I look around and things have changed dramatically. The population is really going up. Urban development is changing the character a little bit, and that's not a bad thing, but as much as we want peace and quiet, the automobile society creeps in."

Stein was development coordinator with the city of Wasilla, public participation coordinator for the Mat-Su Borough and served nine years as mayor of Wasilla, from 1987 to 1996.

In Sitka, Stein will work for the Assembly and manage approximately 150 employees. "It was a really good job offer down there and an opportunity to change scenery," Stein said.

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266, or joel.davidson@ frontiersman.com.