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Children Learn to be Safe at SCF Camp
Around 90 Alaska Native and American Indian children attended two week long sessions of Camp Safe Children First, a pilot program held at Southcentral Foundation in June and July. The camps were held to educate children ages eight through 12 on issues including water safety, personal safety, bicycle/inline skate/skateboard safety and maintenance, animal safety, hiking safety, bus safety, basic first aid and fire prevention.
The children had fun while learning safety skills they can use throughout their lives. Activities included water safety sessions every morning at the East High School pool, a visit to the Alaska Zoo, a visit from the Anchorage Fire Department, bicycle/inline skate outings, a tour of the Alaska Native Medical Center campus, a first aid session, a visit from Anchorage Police Department personnel with McGruff the Crime Dog to discuss personal safety, and a visit from "Mr. Butts" who told them reasons to avoid tobacco.
"We look forward to doing it again next year," said Leanndra Hampton, administrative manager at Southcentral Foundation's Primary Care Center.
"They came
home excited every day and learned so much!" said Eleanor Roehl in a
letter to Southcentral Foundation. "My oldest son said when he turns
14 years old 'I would like to work for them as a counselor.' And they
want to participate every year."
Children participating in
Southcentral Foundation's Camp Safe Children First practice bus safety
drills as part of the program's focus on safety.
Alaska Native Justice Center Relocates
The Alaska Native Justice Center has moved. The new location is in the City Mortgage Building at 121 West Fireweed Lane, Suite 240, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. The Justice Center can now be reached at (907) 278-1122 or by fax at (907) 278-1121.
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Southcentral Foundation Employs 43 Summer Interns
Southcentral Foundation has hired 43 summer interns to work for 10 weeks performing office tasks, facilities maintenance, yard maintenance, and to work with elders in the elders' homes. The purpose of the program, now in its third year, is to help the interns develop a strong work ethic; educate them on work practices; inform them of healthy lifestyles, education opportunities and Native culture; and to provide them a meaningful work experience. Teenagers 14 to 18 years of age are eligible for the program.
Second Coho Cup is Brewing
Cook Inlet Tribal Council has opened a second Coho Cup espresso stand at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Coho Cup Two has spawned from profits generated by the original Coho Cup, which opened last year in the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center. Coho Cups employ graduates of CITC's Bridge to Success program who are making the transition from welfare to paid employment. Coho Cup Two's staff consists of four barristas and one assistant manager.
 Alaska Native Heritage Center Raises Funds for Winter Programs
The Alaska Native Heritage Center will move into its first winter season once the summer visitor season ends. The Heritage Center looks forward to offering a variety of winter educational programs. These programs are made possible by a variety of grants and donations.
The Center's recent contributions for winter educational programs include: $10,000 from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for start-up costs associated with new educational programs; $10,000 from Exxon Company, USA for a Master Artist Workshop series; and $5,000 from Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for general educational purposes.
For a summer
calendar of events and demonstrating and performing artists, visit the
Alaska Native Heritage Center's web site at www.alaskanative.net.
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Cook Inlet Housing Authority Introduces FirstHome Program
Cook Inlet Housing Authority has designed a new program to assist CIRI shareholders with poor credit achieve home ownership. The FirstHome program is designed for Alaska Natives and Native Americans who are low to moderate income and first-time homebuyers, but unable to obtain home financing through a lending institution because of poor credit history.
Through FirstHome, chosen participants will first meet with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alaska to analyze debt and determine ability to pay off the debt in a five-year period. Once this ability has been determined, applicants will go through the home buying process of qualifying and choosing a home then lease it for five years while clearing up their credit. During the five-year leasing period, participants are required to attend monthly counseling with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alaska. At the end of the five-year lease period, participants will receive a match of three times the amount they have saved for a down-payment (up to $5,000).
FirstHome requires that all homes are CIHA approved and located within the Municipality of Anchorage. Applicants must have established employment or steady income; acceptable landlord references; ability to clean up credit within five years; willing and able to attend mandatory counseling sessions with the Credit Counseling Service of Alaska; willing and able to sign a lease with an option to buy; provide verification of ability to pay a $1,500 non-refundable processing fee at application time; and meet income limitations.
To qualify for the FirstHome program, interested applicants need to attend a training seminar on Saturday, August 28, 1999 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lucky Strike Bingo, 2700 A Street. To RSVP for the training program or for more information, contact Cook Inlet Housing Authority's Home Department at (907) 276-8822.
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