The end of an era: Founder, teens reflect on the closure of a local youth center

After a decade of fostering community among Palmer's teenagers, the YAK Nonprofit Organization, known as “Youth of Alaska” will permanently close its doors at the end of this summer.

Founder Andy Miller expresses deep gratitude as he reflects on the organization's impactful journey in the Palmer community.

The idea of a youth center in Palmer was persistent throughout Miller’s experiences working with teens and in his current role as the Youth Minister at Lazy Mountain Bible Church.

“The mission is then to create a space, a youth center, a drop-in center, that is unprogrammed with healthy adults, that love teenagers, and in a healthy place,” said Miller. “These adults share good, good wisdom on how to do life in a healthy way.”

Upon recognizing a cultural shift as teenagers acquired devices and telephones, Miller devised and put into a reality the YAK Youth Center. On the corner of South Valley Way and East Arctic Avenue, a brick building turned into a vibrant and welcoming place for Palmer's youth.

Miller strove to create a space for teens to hang out, converse, have fun, and be themselves–organic, human interactions that he believed the virtual world was lacking.

“There's all sorts of philosophies on why we did what we did,” said Miller. “We wanted to create a living space, so it's like a living room, with couches and a coffee table and books everywhere where teens could feel like they were at home.”

The YAK is a faith-based nonprofit organization. Miller explained that the organization’s mission is that doing life God’s way is the best way. This mission is enacted through Christian companionship and care at both the YAK youth center and during YAKventure programs.

At the programs, supervised groups of youth part from the youth center and head into the wilderness of Alaska during the summer months. Activities include hiking, canoeing, backpacking, swimming and exploring.

These programs are free of cost and allow teens to develop healthy coping strategies, within, as Miller explained, God’s creation.

With the YAK closing at the end of the summer, YAKventures will also come to an end. As the Youth Director, Miller will continue to offer outdoor programs and events for youth through his ministry at Lazy Mountain Bible Church. He expressed his appreciation for having had the opportunity to do so under the YAK Nonprofit Organization.

At one point, the YAK Center relocated down South Valley Way to its current spot beside Sweet Gypsy. Although the new space is smaller than the original, it maintains the same cozy living room design. The center features a stocked snack bar with affordable foods, as well as couches, musical instruments and a pool table that help to fill the space.

For the past year, former Hollywood film-extra Carol Dorman has been the manager of the YAK. Dorman has prioritized working and volunteering with youth throughout her life and has found her current position to be incredibly fulfilling.

Both Dorman and Miller explained that while the mission of the YAK has served Palmer’s Youth in a positive way over the past 10 years, there is not currently enough funding, staff or resources to practically continue in the same way.

“We could start an indoor skatepark for example and I would jump into that opportunity and do the snack bar, I am good at that,” said Dorman. “But it’s not a one-man band, and it’s not even a two-man band.”

As the YAK closes, Dorman will continue to run her business, Time Traveler's Bed & Breakfast, in Palmer, named after her role in the film Back to the Future Part III. Additionally, she looks forward to continuing her work with the Mat-Su Kid's Chorus.

Jayce Hartman was a YAK regular throughout the past year. Hartman appreciated his experiences at the YAK and the opportunity to relax and kick back with others.

“It makes me sad because it has been a great place to come and hangout,” said Hartman. “Now I need to find another fun place to hangout since the YAK is closing."

Wyliam Luce, another regular at the YAK, found a sense of belonging there after his school days at Palmer Junior Middle School.

“It's like a second home to me,” said Luce. “It was a place where I could go hang out with friends, meet new people on occasions, talk with some of my good friends and it was a place to sit back and relax after a long day at school.”

Both Hartman and Luce expressed a mix of disappointment over the YAK's closing and appreciation for having had a place to go over the past years.

As the YAK and YAKventures come to end, the impact on Palmer’s youth will be remembered by those who found a second home. The sense of community and belonging provided will leave a lasting impression for Palmer’s teens like Hartman and Luce.

Miller and Dorman’s dedication to fostering a positive environment for teenagers will continue through their ongoing efforts within the Palmer community.