The GCI Suicide Prevention Fund is a catalyst in promoting the well-being of communities across the state. Since 2016, GCI has given more than $600,000 to local organizations to support suicide prevention efforts in Alaska. Our nonprofit partners work tirelessly to prevent suicide in their communities, and we recognize their great impact. This year, GCI has donated to 14 organizations to help aid in prevention efforts.
The fund’s application and review process are set up to ensure that organizations that serve small, rural communities and bigger cities across Alaska are eligible for funding. This allows the grant funds to impact Alaskans of all age groups across the state. This year’s recipients reach a wide range of audiences that GCI is proud to represent. From veterans to LBGTQIA+, youths to seniors, the fund’s goal remains the same, to make a lasting and positive impact on reducing the rate of suicide in Alaska.
Transforming Connectivity Opportunities in Rural Alaska
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The 2022 Suicide Prevention Fund grant recipients are:
- Alaska Children’s Institute for the Performing Arts (Triumvirate Theatre) is using grant funds to produce a radio show airing dramatized situations that Alaska kids might face. The show will include a roundtable discussion with a psychologist to discuss the featured issues and how to better handle them.
- Center for Safe Alaskans is contracting field experts to support the professional development of teachers at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School. The development will aim to increase student safety, focusing on designing support systems for Alaska Native youths and trauma-informed classrooms.
- Camp Fire Alaska plans to use the grant funds to continue supporting the growth of intergenerational connectedness in rural Alaska communities by holding community events and cultural sharing between elders and youths.
- Challenge Alaska will continue expanding its warrior programs with the grant funds to further provide access to hockey, alpine and Nordic skiing, and adaptive cycling for veterans who are living with disabilities and face higher rates of suicide.
- Choosing Our Roots will use the grant funds to develop an affirming messaging campaign for queer and transgender youth living in the Mat-Su Valley to let them know where they can find safe support.
- Gold Star Peak, Inc. is on a mission to bring veterans and survivors together and will use the grant funds to expand its reach to those who need to get out in nature and connect therapeutically.
- Kenai Peninsula Borough School District began the Sources of Strength program that focuses on student suicide prevention systems and will continue this program’s growth and resource development with the grant funds.
- Maniilaq Association is using the funds to continue the We Need You campaign, which is centered on youth suicide with a focus on reaching people on social media. It has expanded these efforts to rural villages with activities and events. This campaign allows kids broader access to needed resources.
- NAMI Juneau/ Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition is expanding its suicide prevention outreach with grant funds to surrounding villages, providing the connectedness and services many rural communities need.
- Native Village of Kwigillingok is using grant funds to implement a youth coalition that meets regularly to connect, play games and make fliers and brochures to educate on suicide prevention. This will help youths express their creative abilities and create a sense of belonging.
- Native Village of Scammon Bay plans to promote resiliency through connection with youth and elders. Organizing frequent season-specific subsistence activities will promote reasons to live and provide tools to help prevent suicide.
- Southeast Regional Resource Center provides mental health training to 50 people in Southeast Alaska. The grant funds will aid the program’s cost of training and travel to rural communities to educate on suicide prevention.
- United Service Organizations, Inc. will use the grant funds to connect Alaska service members far away from home during the holiday season by providing holiday-themed meals, parties, and stockings.
- Women In Safe Homes will utilize the grant funds to support the Peer Education Program, which employs teens to provide education support and resources to their peers to empower them to have healthy and violence-free relationships.
We are honored to support our 2022 Suicide Prevention Fund partners and are expectant of the great work they will do this year and next. As we wrap up suicide prevention month and the GCI Wellness Challenge, we want to ensure that Alaskans are supported, connected, and healthy. The winter can be especially challenging, so take a few moments to check in on yourself and a friend.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.