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Dear Alliance Community,

As we step into a new year together, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the resilience, care, and commitment you all continue to bring to work that is not always easy but is deeply necessary. I am continually inspired by this community showing up across Alaska to support the health and future of our communities. Entering the new year together feels grounding and hopeful, and I am grateful to be in this work alongside you.

January brings meaningful opportunities to learn, act, and gather. This Thursday, our Evaluation & Learning Workgroup will host a training on evaluation considerations in rural and very rural communities, offering practical insight and shared learning grounded in Alaska’s diverse contexts. Looking ahead, the Data & Learning Workgroup will be focusing on ripple effects mapping and storytelling as data, exploring ways to capture impact beyond traditional measures. If you’re interested in joining the workgroup this month, please be sure to complete the Doodle poll to help select a meeting time. At the same time, our policy work is stepping into new initiatives, building on last year’s momentum and expanding how we support advocacy and systems-level change across the state – join us this Friday if you would like to learn more!

We’re also looking ahead to our upcoming in-person Calricaraq training in February. We have had a phenomenal response and registration is now closed. I am so excited to gather soon and welcome our brilliant facilitators Rose Domnick, Katrina Domnick, and Evelyn Day. If you are registered, please keep an eye out for an email from me with important details coming your way shortly.

Thank you for continuing to show up with thoughtfulness, courage, and collaboration. We’re honored to begin another year of learning and action together.

Warmly,

Tesia Bobrycki

Coalition Coordinator

tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org

Data and Learning Workgroup Callout

Data isn’t just numbers; it’s a way to reflect the impact of prevention efforts statewide. We’re committed to community-led approaches that respect choice, ownership, and voice. Join The Alliance in strengthening how prevention work is documented and shared.

If you are interested in participating, please add your availability to the Doodle poll as we are identifying a new meeting time that works for more people. The next workgroup meeting will focus on ripple effects mapping and storytelling as data.

For any questions, please contact Travis Hedwig at UAA thhedwig@alaska.edu or

Tesia Bobrycki tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org.

Inside ARCH: A Place For Healing and Growth

ARCH is more than a residential treatment program. It is a place where Alaska youth find safety, stability, and the support they need to heal. This short video offers a glimpse into daily life at ARCH and highlights recent program upgrades that are strengthening care for youth and families across our state. We invite you to watch and see how your support helps young people build resilience, connection, and hope for what comes next.

WATCH HERE

Dry January is Here!

This month is all about connection, wellness, and discovering fun ways to gather—without alcohol! From trivia and game nights to sewing and talking circles and dance classes, communities across Alaska are hosting alcohol-free events that bring people together.

Have an idea for a sober event in your area? We’d love to help share it—add your event to our community calendar and invite your neighbors to join in. Prefer to attend? Check out the calendar to see what’s happening near you and find an event that fits your vibe!

VIEW THE CALENDAR HERE

🌟 Celebrate a Sober Hero in Your Community! 🌟

Every day across Alaska, people are choosing courage, compassion, and connection—whether through their own sobriety, their advocacy, or the quiet ways they show up for others. These individuals strengthen our communities, inspire hope, and remind us what resilience truly looks like.

Now it’s time to shine a light on them.

We invite you to nominate a Sober Hero—someone who embodies recovery, supports others on their journey, or champions healthier choices in your community. Your nominee might be a friend who leads by example, a family member who’s overcome challenges, a mentor who always shows up, or a leader making recovery-ready spaces possible.

📣 Help us celebrate the people making Alaska stronger, one act of courage at a time.

💙 Submit your nomination today!

🗓️ Nominations close January 20th.

Let’s honor the heroes among us and share their stories of strength and hope. (And be sure to stay tuned when we announce our 2026 Sober Heroes in March!)

Consent-Based Decision-Making Training

This past month, The Alliance participated in a Consent-based Decision-making training, strengthening how we collaborate and move work forward together. The training reintroduced a structured approach to decision-making that emphasizes shared responsibility, inclusion, and forward momentum by focusing on resolving meaningful objections rather than reaching unanimous agreement.

Through this session, staff gained practical tools for making decisions that are good enough for now and safe enough to try, supporting clearer communication, stronger trust, and more efficient meetings. These skills will help us continue building a thoughtful, values-aligned workplace where everyone’s input matters.

WATCH THE TRAINING HERE

Legislating 101 Training

Tom Begich recently hosted Legislating 101, a foundational training designed to deepen our understanding of how legislation is developed, analyzed, and enacted. Participants explored the structure of legislative bodies, the lifecycle of a bill, and key strategies for effective engagement with public policy processes relevant to our work.

Through this session, members enhanced their knowledge of legislative terminology, decision-making timelines, and how to interpret and influence policy outcomes in alignment with our mission. These insights will strengthen our ability to navigate policy landscapes thoughtfully and contribute with confidence to civic and organizational discussions.

WATCH THE TRAINING HERE

About The Alliance

The Alliance is a collaborative effort of multiple and diverse partners across Alaska who recognize the harms of alcohol on individuals and communities. We are personally and professionally committed to working together to address this complex problem in our state.

Our primary goal is to connect and engage communities as partners — increasing protective factors, reducing risk factors, and changing social norms — to prevent underage alcohol use and eliminate all harms of alcohol use in Alaska.

Alliance Materials:

• The Alliance's common agenda
• The Alliance's Resource Page

Get Involved!

Between starting new work and sustaining our progress, there are many opportunities to participate in The Alliance! All current workgroups are open to any member who would like to join. You can always read more about our workgroups and their purpose on the Get Involved page of our website. Our network practices an emergent strategy, and we update information based on our network's needs.

• The Communications & Social Norms Workgroup is led by an experienced media and communications contractor and advances the two social norms campaigns addressing underage drinking Choose Connection and In Case You Missed It. Th workgroup also supports the Alliance's various other internal and external communications needs. This workgroup meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 1-2 pm.
• The Data and Learning Workgroup is led by an data expert and will be supporting data equity conversations and practices. This workgroup meetings on the third Monday from 3pm - 4pm.
• The Evaluation and Learning Workgroup is where members can participate in designing the annual evaluation process for the Alliance alongside a professional evaluator and receive technical assistance and support on utilizing evaluation in their work. This workgroup meets on the first Thursday of the month from 10am - 11am.
• The Strategic Design Workgroup builds structures and processes for the network to work in alignment with our values and theory of change. This workgroup is led by an experienced prevention professional and regional co-chair and meets monthly on the third Tuesday from 1pm - 2pm.
• The Policy Workgroup is led by a policy expert and works to track alcohol and prevention policies, identifies and designs advocacy actions, and provides technical assistance to individuals wanting to engage in the political process. This workgroup meets monthly on the second Friday from 11am - 12pm.

You are welcome to ask questions about those workgroups or to ask to join any of them.

Want to Lead Change? Apply to Be a Co-Chair of the Alaska Alliance!

Are you passionate about shaping Alaska’s future and driving meaningful community impact? The Alliance is now accepting applications for the Co-Chair position. This is a unique opportunity to help guide the organization’s vision, build partnerships, and amplify our collective voice.

If you’re interested in stepping up as a leader and making a difference, we encourage you to apply!

GET INVOLVED HERE

If you would like to submit content for The Alliance newsletter, please email Tesia at tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org and Kara at kstewart@recoveralaska.org.