View as Webpage

Dear Alliance,

This past month has been a strong reflection of the Alliance’s collective momentum and commitment to prevention. From engaging trainings to meaningful conversations, we’ve continued building shared understanding and alignment across our network. Our Ripple

Effects Mapping session highlighted the real and growing impact of our work, capturing not just outcomes but also the relationships, shifts, and community level changes happening because of your efforts. We’re looking forward to sharing those results more fully at our upcoming Open Space meeting on May 21 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Zoom Link

We also had the opportunity to deepen our knowledge around alcohol-related harm through Alicia Spark’s presentation on risk and protective factors. This grounded conversation helped connect data to lived experience and prevention strategies, reinforcing the importance of addressing both individual and community level influences. If you weren’t able to attend, you can find a recording of this presentation here.

In addition, the Alliance reached consensus to move forward in partnership with the AURORA Project, an exciting step that will expand and strengthen our impact. AURORA is a statewide, community-centered initiative focused on better understanding and reducing alcohol-related harms across Alaska. The project brings together local voices, meaningful data, and shared learning to help communities move from concern to action. Through this partnership, communities will be supported in collecting and interpreting data about how alcohol-related harms show up locally, identifying gaps in services and supports, and using that information to shape practical, community-driven solutions. AURORA also emphasizes building local capacity through community champions, creating space for dialogue, and ensuring that next steps are guided by the people most affected. Over time, this work will contribute to a more connected, statewide effort where communities learn from one another and advance coordinated strategies to reduce harm. If you are interested in being part of the steering committee for this partnership, please email me directly or keep an eye out for a call for participation coming soon.

We also want to take a moment to express deep gratitude to Tom Begich for his leadership and contributions to the policy workgroup. Tom played a pivotal role in helping the Alliance grow into advocacy, supporting the creation of the policy workgroup and ensuring that policy became a central and sustained part of our collective work. His guidance helped move the Alliance beyond conversation into action, shaping how we engage with systems change and public policy in meaningful ways. His impact will continue to be felt in the direction and strength of this work.

At the same time, we are excited to welcome Laura Norton Cruz, who will be stepping into this role and continuing to advance this important work. Laura is a social worker, public health practitioner, and policy advocate with deep roots in Anchorage and experience working across Alaska, including in rural communities. She has been a leading voice in trauma-informed policy, including helping pass Alaska’s Trauma-Informed Government Law, and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to this work as a member of the Alliance since its early formation.

Thank you all for the energy, insight, and care you bring to this work every day.

Warmly,

Tesia Bobrycki

Coalition Coordinator

tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org

Stigma affects how people are treated, whether they seek help, and how connected they feel in their communities. It can quietly create barriers to care, support, and recovery - impacting both individuals and overall community health.

Join us for a free, interactive Science of Stigma training where we’ll break down what stigma really is, why it exists, and how it shows up in everyday life, systems, and services.

Together, we’ll explore why some conditions are more stigmatized than others, how stigma impacts health outcomes, and - most importantly - what we can do to change it.

💡 WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH:

• A clear understanding of how stigma forms and shows up
• Insight into how stigma impacts access to care and outcomes
• Real-world examples you can relate to
• Practical, actionable strategies to reduce stigma in your work and community

📍 MAT-SU TRAINING: May 21st | 8:30 – 11:30 AM

🥐 Breakfast provided

👉 [CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MAT-SU]

📍 VALDEZ TRAINING: May 22nd | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

🥗 Lunch provided

👉 [CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR VALDEZ]

✨ Space is limited - please sign up by May 5th! We hope you’ll join us in building stronger, more connected communities across Alaska!!

Pathways to Recovery

The Pathways to Recovery Conference returns May 12-14, 2026 at the Hilton Anchorage. Registration is open, and we encourage early sign-up to secure your spot at this statewide gathering focused on strengthening Alaska’s response to substance use and behavioral health challenges.

Attendees will connect with partners from across Alaska, hear from keynote speakers, and take part in breakout sessions designed to support collaboration and improve access to care.

Register today to ensure participation and help shape the conversation on recovery in Alaska.

REGISTER HERE

Walk for Prevention

Join the community on Wednesday, May 13 from 10 AM to 3 PM for a day of connection, culture, and healing. This walk supports substance misuse prevention and mental health, bringing people together through tradition and shared purpose.

Enjoy wellness vendors, traditional storytelling, drumming and singing, beading activities, Ahtna language lessons, and more, including family-friendly activities and local food. The walk travels from Sutton Library to the C’eyiits’ Hwnax Life House Clinic.

Hosted in partnership with organizations including Mat-Su Health Foundation, this event highlights the strength of culture and community in prevention efforts.

For more information, contact CVTC Recovery Services at (907) 761-3912.

Minority Fellowship Program Accepting Applications

Applications are open now for the NAADAC Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counseling (MFP-AC). This is a fantastic chance to get one of up to 43 master’s-level fellowships, each offering $15,000 to help support your journey in addictions counseling. 

But it’s not just about the money—fellowship recipients also gain access to mentorship, professional growth opportunities, travel funds for training, and a nationwide network of leading behavioral health professionals. The goal is to build a stronger, more culturally responsive addiction care workforce.

And guess what? You don’t need to identify as a minority to apply. If you’re working to serve underserved or underrepresented communities, you’re welcome to apply too!

Don’t miss out - apply by June 30th!

APPLY HERE

Wellbriety Talking Circles

Wellbriety is all about blending sobriety and wellness with Indigenous teachings, cultural connections, and community support. Come hang out with us every Wednesday at 1 PM at C'eyiits' Hwnax Life House Clinic.

It's a great way to share, support each other, learn about culture, and find healing through connection.

safeTALK Suicide Alertness Training

Join a free safeTALK Suicide Alertness Training in Unalaska on Wednesday, June 3rd from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the APIA Conference Room. This half-day workshop is designed for anyone age 15 and up and focuses on practical skills to recognize when someone may be thinking about suicide and how to connect them to support quickly and safely. Space is limited and a light lunch will be provided.

This is a hands-on, community-focused training that builds confidence in having real conversations that can make a difference. To learn more or register, reach out to Felicia Nichols at felician@apiai.org.

LEARN MORE HERE

AURORA + Alliance Steering Committee

We’re inviting Alliance members to help guide an exciting partnership between The Alliance and the AURORA Project—focused on reducing the harms of alcohol through data and community action.

This is a unique opportunity to lend your voice, expertise, and perspective to help shape how this work moves forward across Alaska.

What you’ll help do:

• Further define the partnership between The Alliance and the AURORA Project (Recover Alaska)
• Identify how this work will continue and grow in communities across the state

Meeting Dates:

• May 7th: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
• May 28th: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• June 15th: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
• June 22nd: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
• June 29th: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. (if needed)

You do not need to attend every meeting to participate, but we ask that you join as many as you’re able.

If you’re interested in being part of this steering committee and helping shape the future of this work, click here to sign up.

Let’s build this together!

Alliance Member Content Sharing

The Alliance’s Communications and Social Norms Workgroup is creating ways to increase engagement among Alliance members and to communicate to potential members who we are, how we do this work, and why membership might add value to their personal or professional lives. As part of this effort, we’re asking members to share more of themselves for us to share on social media, the website, or in the newsletter.

You are welcome to share photos, videos, and/or written words about your personal or professional experiences, and especially how being an Alliance member brings value to your work or life.

When you are ready to share, you may add content to this Google Drive folder or email Tesia Bobrycki (tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org) and Kara Stewart (kstewart@recoveralaska.org). 

How Alliance Members Are Choosing Connection

We’d love to hear from all of you about how you choose connection, whether in small daily moments or in the big steps you’re taking to find and maintain it in your lives!

Email your connection stories to Tesia: tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org.

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.

Interested in joining a workgroup? Click below to learn more, access the Zoom link, and read past meeting notes!

• 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. The 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 a data contractor and will be supporting data equity conversations and practices. This workgroup meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 12pm - 1:30pm.

• 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 each month from 9:30am - 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 on the third Tuesday of each month 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 on the second Friday of each month from 11am - 12pm. During legislative session (Jan-Apr), this workgroup meets every other 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!

APPLY 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.