Today, we honor Human Rights Day—a reminder that every person deserves dignity. Every person deserves freedom. Every person deserves equality. We stand united in promoting the rights that bind us and building a world where these rights are the standard for all.
From earthquakes to wildfires to extreme winter storms to power outages, Alaska is no stranger to severe and unpredictable natural disasters. Many of us feel anxious and overwhelmed when faced with events beyond our control. But preparing in advance for potential emergencies can give us peace of mind and a sense of security.
Emergency preparedness is crucial, especially for events like earthquakes and power outages, which are sudden and can leave us without essential services. Start by creating a family emergency plan so that each person knows their role, responsibilities, and where to meet if an emergency occurs. Determine an evacuation route and practice it occasionally to ensure everyone feels comfortable and prepared. Along with this, assemble a disaster preparedness kit with essentials such as food, water, prescription medications, blankets, a whistle, a multi-tool, and first aid kid. For power outages, keep extra batteries, a portable phone charger, and, if possible, a backup power source for critical electronics, particularly for anyone relying on medical or assistive devices. Make sure your home and workplace are equipped with working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Staying informed can also help alleviate stress. Sign up for local emergency alerts, follow trusted news sources, and check weather updates to stay aware of any developing situations. Practicing self-care is also important. Regular exercise, mindfulness, and adequate rest contribute to a calm and resilient mindset. Connecting with friends and family can provide mutual support.
Taking proactive steps to prepare for potential emergencies now will help ease anxiety and allow us to respond to any unknown challenges safely and strategically.
Items to put in your emergency preparedness kit:
- Water (minimum of one gallon per person per day)
- Non-perishable food
- First aid kit
- Prescription medications
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- Portable phone chargers
- Whistle
- Dust mask and gloves
- Emergency blanket
- Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
- Copies of important documents (in a waterproof container)
Situational anxiety is a common response to unfamiliar, worrisome, or stressful events, such as job interviews, public speaking, social conflicts, and major life changes. It's normal to feel a minor fight-or-flight response when faced with situations where we feel a lack of control. Fortunately, there are many effective strategies you can use to manage and reduce the impact of situational anxiety.
Anxiety has a tendency to magnify the fear of negative outcomes. When you picture the worst-case scenario and considering its true likelihood, you may find that even at its worst, there is hope for a good long-term outcome. Connecting with someone supportive and like-minded can also provide comfort and clarity, and reduce feelings of isolation or fear. For situations that cause heightened nervousness, such as giving a speech or presentation, do several practice runs to help build confidence. Rehearsing and preparing in advance will remove some of the uncertainty and give you more of a sense of control. Stress management techniques are also a powerful tool to calm situational anxiety. Deep abdominal or meditative breathing can trigger your body’s relaxation response almost instantly. Focus on slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system and help you regain control over your emotions. Lastly, not all stress is harmful, and in fact, some level of anxiety can be motivating. Instead of viewing healthy levels of stress as something to avoid, try to reframe it in a positive light and harness its power to help you perform well in challenging situations.
Situational anxiety is a normal part of life, but implementing these strategies will help you reduce its negative effects and face challenging circumstances with calmness and confidence. When left unchecked, however, anxiety can intensify to the point that it affects both your mental and physical well-being. If you feel a persistent cycle of anxiety that is not tied to one event or environment, or if at any time you find that your feelings of anxiety are too much to handle on your own, reach out to your primary care provider or a mental health professional for support. A therapist can give you personalized strategies to manage anxiety and address any underlying issues contributing it. You do not have to navigate anxiety alone.
More resources for situational anxiety:
- Careline Alaska - call or text 988 24/7, or call 1-877-266-HELP
- Alaska Behavioral Health
- National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI) Alaska
- Stressing Out: 7 Ways to Cope with Situational Anxiety (Clay Behavioral Health Center)
- 11 healthy ways to handle life’s stressors (American Psychological Association)
- What is situational anxiety? (Talkspace)
Our team celebrated Haunted Hope Campus, an annual Halloween event that invites trick-or-treaters to walk through our festively decorated buildings for a night of fun and treats. This year’s theme was Wicked.
When it comes to serving the community, longtime Hope employee John Riek sets an unparalleled standard, and this month, Representative Genevieve Mina from House District 19 presented him with a legislative citation from the 33rd legislature. The citation recognizes John's commitment and support of his community, Sudanese refugees, and the people who choose Hope’s services.
A legislative citation is a special acknowledgment from the Alaska Legislature, celebrating those who have made a significant contribution to society. Receiving one is a formal recognition of a person’s exceptional achievements and impact on other people’s lives.
In John’s case, it honors his courageous work in an unimaginably challenging situation.
His story starts in his homeland of Sudan, where he witnessed the brutal effects of war firsthand. When armed conflict instigated between two military factions in Sudan in April 2023, the fighting quickly escalated near Khartoum, where John's family lived. John knew he had to help. Understanding the risks involved, he made a plan to help his family and fellow Sudanese. Supported by his faith and his church community, he secured the funds necessary to rent 14 trucks and organized a safe passage from North Sudan to South Sudan—no small feat in a country fraught with threats and danger.
But with John’s help, over the course of three risky months, more than 4,000 people were able to escape the conflict. He continued his journey to ensure that they had access to safer housing and refugee services in South Sudan and Ethiopia. Only after his family was secure did John return home to Anchorage, bringing with him a powerful story of resilience, courage, and unity.
John’s devotion to his family, his community, and his homeland is a beacon of hope for all of us and a poignant reminder that, even in the darkest times, the power of humanity and solidarity can bring light. To hear more about John’s journey and to listen to his perspective directly, watch KTUU’s coverage from last fall of John’s incredible efforts.
John has been with Hope since October 2015, working as a Direct Support Professional and, more recently, as a Resident Manager at one of Hope’s Assisted Living Homes in Anchorage. Every day, he provides support to adult men with disabilities, and he does so with kindness, humility, and a commitment to helping others see the best in themselves. We are grateful to have such a benevolent and courageous person on our team, a true hero who exemplifies Hope’s mission and values every day.
Scams are deceptive schemes designed to defraud individuals or organizations of money, personal information, or other valuables by exploiting trust and manipulating emotions. The digital space presents numerous opportunities for fraudsters, and scams can take many forms, including but not limited to:
Online scams: Examples include phishing emails, fake websites, and social media fraud. Scammers may impersonate legitimate companies to acquire personal information or money. Phone scams: These scams involve calls from people claiming to represent reputable organizations, such as banks or government agencies, and they may request sensitive information or payments. Hostage Phone Scams: Scammers claim to have taken a loved one hostage, demanding immediate payment through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards. In-Person Scams: Scammers approach victims directly, often posing as service providers or charity workers and using high-pressure tactics to solicit money. Investment Scams: These involve schemes that promise high returns on investments with little risk, often leading people to lose substantial amounts of money. Prize Scams: Victims receive messages claiming they've won a lottery or prize but must pay a fee to claim their winnings. Relationship Scams: Scammers build online relationships with people, eventually asking for money under various pretenses. Tech Support Scams: These scammers impersonate tech support representatives and claim that there are issues with the person’s computer, leading them to provide access or pay for unnecessary services.
To protect yourself from scams, trust your instincts—if something seems suspicious or too good to be true, it likely is. If you are targeted by a scam, try to stay calm, avoid giving personal or financial information, and end the communication immediately. Verify the scammer’s claims by contacting the relevant person or organization directly, and report the incident to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local police. If you’ve shared financial details, contact your bank to secure your accounts. Taking these precautions and educating your loved ones can help prevent you and others from becoming the victim of a scam.
Today is Hope Community Resources' anniversary!
On October 28, 1968, our organization was founded by Nancy Stuart Johnson, whose pioneering spirit led her to care for children with developmental disabilities in Alaska. From our beginning as "Hope Cottage" with 14 foster children in Anchorage, we've grown to become a statewide non-profit dedicated to supporting Alaskans who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and mental health challenges.
Nancy started a legacy of service that continues to thrive today. Here's to 56 years of Hope and the many lives positively impacted along the way!
In today’s technology-driven world, the risks of cyberattacks, such as phishing, ransomware, and data breaches, are higher than ever. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), cyber criminals are creating increasingly sophisticated and targeted attacks, making them harder to detect. Staying informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and continuously updating our knowledge will help us defend against the evolving tactics.
One key defense strategy is to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Though it may seem inconvenient, MFA adds an essential layer of security, even if your credentials are compromised. Always secure your devices by using a password, PIN, or biometric authentication in case of loss or theft. Phishing attacks remain a serious threat, and recognizing them is crucial to protecting your personal information. Be wary of unsolicited emails and messages, especially those that create urgency or ask for personal information. Always verify email addresses, watch for suspicious links, and avoid downloading attachments from unknown sources. Regularly back up important files and data to an external hard drive or a secure cloud service to help you recover valuable information in case of a data breach or ransomware attack. Keeping your software up to date is also important, as regular updates patch vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Finally, avoid accessing sensitive information, like bank accounts, over public Wi-Fi networks; use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for more secure connections on the go.
Cybersecurity is a collective responsibility, and staying vigilant in the digital world requires ongoing effort and awareness. By proactively adopting these simple practices, you can protect your digital well-being and help support a more secure digital world for everyone.
Though a couple months have passed since our Summer Camp wrapped up, the memories and impact it left on our campers, staff, and community are still fresh in our minds. Thanks to generous grant funding from The Alaska Community Foundation, Hope was able to serve 34 campers!
Over the course of ten weeks, campers had a blast with various creative activities, hands-on learning, and outdoor adventures. Some of the many highlights included the Wildlife Week adventures, tie-dye shirt-making, ceramics class, meeting one of APD's police K9s "AC", and riding horses at the Flying Horse Equestrian Center.
