SAGA was started in Juneau 22 years ago by Joe and Anita Parrish as a way to continue youth corps programs that were de-funded by the federal government in 1980. The youth corps model involves young people, ages 16-24, working and living together as a team to accomplish meaningful outdoor work while gaining important skills, work experience, and education. Fifteen disadvantaged Juneau youth participated in the program its first year, which had a $40,000 budget. Now SAGA has an annual budget of $2.2 million, two regional headquarters, and provides direct services to 4,000 young people each year statewide. The organization remains dedicated to its “learning-by-doing” approach and to helping people make the connection between what they learn and how they live. Our mission is: Improving lives, land, and communities in Alaska. We accomplish the mission with five programs.

• Serve Alaska Youth Corps : Provides disadvantaged youth with job training, work experience, life skills, and education through team based projects that improve public lands and facilities
• Alaska Service Corps : Young adults work in teams to improve public lands and facilities, develop leadership skills, and explore career paths
• Young Alaskans Building Affordable Housing (YABAH): High school dropouts build an affordable home, get their GED, and get a job and/or further education
• Eagle Valley Training Center : Provides Adventure Based Education programs for 1,000 youth/year
• Connections : Places AmeriCorps members into schools and nonprofits that provide education and prevention programs for 3,000 youth in 6 communities each year

Program participants receive a monthly living stipend, an AmeriCorps Education Award, and if needed, can earn school credit and/or a GED. The service projects that young people complete save lives and benefit over 200,000 Alaskans each year. Projects include; trail work, stream restoration, habitat improvement, disaster response, highway enhancements, recreation site improvements, organizing volunteer projects, and lighthouse repairs. SAGA , has received awards for program excellence, including recognition a s one of eight organization s from around the world to serve a s an example of be st program s for po sitive youth development by The Forum for Youth Development and the Ford Foundation in the publication, “ Youth Act s, Community Impact s; Storie s of Youth Engagement with Real Re sult s.” “It’ s hard to doubt that youth are contributor s after looking at the sheer scale of what young people have accompli shed through SAGA.” Quote from publication.

SAGA is a 501(c)(3) organization and receives 67% of its funds from earned revenue (building/selling affordable homes, completing projects for land agencies, etc), and 33% from federal/state/local government grants.

We welcome your support through gifts, donations, and/or sponsorships that increase our capacity to serve youth. Investors are also welcome to inquire about SAGA’s 6-18 month investment program designed to help with our start up costs each spring. Investors receiving an 8% return on investment – and the satisfaction of knowing they helped get our programs started strong.

Joe and Anita still serve as co-directors of the organization. They feel blessed every day for the opportunity to see their dream (of SAGA) come true – and remain committed as ever to helping young people believe they can do the same.

For more information, contact Joe or Anita Parrish at 907-789-6172, or visit our website at www.servealaska.org