Rising Together
Hope’s mission rises when vision meets investment. Our grant funders help transform ideas into action, vision into momentum, dreams into reality. Behind many of our programs and success stories stands a foundation, an organization, or a community funder that chose to invest in our vision. This year, grant came in many forms—ones that improved housing safety and accessibility, supported food security, expanded access to recreation and creative self-expression, and allowed us to purchase a new maintenance vehicle. These partnerships sustain our programs and help us move forward, grow stronger, and rise together.
Rasmuson Foundation
Hope received a Community Grant from the Rasmuson Foundation that will provide significant support for large-scale renovations in multiple assisted living homes. These improvements include new flooring, cabinetry, countertops, appliances, painting, roofing, plumbing, electrical work, deck replacements, sprinklers, and a full bathroom remodel—transforming aging spaces into welcoming and supportive environments.
Additionally, the Foundation funded a fully outfitted maintenance van—allowing our team to respond rapidly to repairs, emergencies, and routine support across all homes. This investment improves safety, reliability, and response time for maintenance needs organization-wide.
These upgrades enhance comfort, dignity, and accessibility for individuals supported by Hope. We’re grateful for the Rasmuson Foundation’s partnership and the dedication of our Maintenance team, whose work makes this progress possible.
Reitman Family Trust
A generous grant from the Reitman Family Trust made possible a major renovation of one of our assisted living homes in Anchorage called Hope Park. The project included leveling the foundation, upgrading the sprinkler monitoring system, installing a sump pump, and redesigning the layout to support improved accessibility. The home also received new interior paint, flooring, lighting, kitchen countertops and appliances, as well as a complete remodel of three bathrooms. These upgrades have significantly enhanced the safety, comfort, and functionality of the home. The renovated space is now equipped to provide specialized care for children and youth who might otherwise require placement out of state at significantly higher cost, ensuring that they can receive the support they need closer to home.
The Mat-Su Health Foundation
The Mat-Su Health Foundation provided funding for renovations and improvements to our assisted living homes in the Valley. Their investment supported upgrades that strengthened both the sustainability and long-term livability of our homes.
One such project was a full renovation of our Farm Loop residence in Wasilla — including accessibility-focused layout changes, new windows, doors, flooring, and lighting, along with full kitchen and bathroom remodels. The home now also features a private living space for the Resident Manager, including a kitchen, office, bedroom, and bathroom.
We extend our gratitude to the Mat-Su Health Foundation for their commitment to community well-being, and to our maintenance team, who dedicated more than 1,200 labor hours to bring this project to life.
Outstanding Community Partnership Award
Hope proudly presented the 2024 Outstanding Community Partnership Award to Alaska Frontier Services, LLC and its owners, Max and Gina Withrow, in recognition of their extraordinary dedication to ensuring safety and accessibility for the people who live in our assisted living homes.
For more than 56 years, Hope has provided safe, secure housing for people with disabilities in Alaska. As our organization evolved from rented properties in the 1970s and ’80s to owning homes that supported stability, we also assumed the responsibility for ongoing repairs and maintenance—costs not reimbursed by the State. Mission-aligned partners like Alaska Frontier Services make that continuity possible.
Founded in 1992 as a trucking company, Alaska Frontier Services later expanded into grading, paving, and snow removal. Max Withrow, raised in Colorado by a family who ran a small paving business, brought experience and heart into the company’s growth. Under Max and Gina’s leadership, the business has become known for reliability, community partnership, and quality service.
Alaska’s climate presents many accessibility challenges—snow, ice, potholes, and freeze-thaw conditions can create dangerous barriers for people with disabilities. Alaska Frontier Services has been a steadfast ally through snow removal, paving, and driveway repairs, ensuring safe mobility and dignified access. A well-plowed driveway represents independence, and a smooth surface means inclusion.
We honor Alaska Frontier Services not only for what they do, but how they do it—with heart, integrity, and a deep sense of community. Their partnership strengthens our capacity to provide safe, stable homes, and impacts hundreds of Alaskans each year.
Volunteer Impact
Volunteers play a pivotal role in advancing Hope's mission. Their time, energy, and commitment strengthen our programs, enrich the lives of the people we serve, and expand our capacity to offer inclusive opportunities throughout the community. The generosity of our volunteers continue to be a vital force behind our success.
Hope had the great fortune of hosting a group of students and two faculty members from Central Michigan University through the university's Alternative Break program. The group spent a week in Anchorage learning about Hope's services, the history of disability advocacy, and the values that guide our work. In addition to their learning experiences, the students completed several volunteer projects, including refreshing our grounds, painting the Hope Gallery, assisting with the Walk & Roll for Hope, and contributing to other hands-on efforts across the organization. The week proved enriching for everyone involved, and Hope looked forward to welcoming future CMU groups in the years ahead.
Hope was also delighted to welcome an Episcopalian youth group from Colorado in June 2025 for a service-learning experience. Different teams participated in volunteer projects at the Lesko Discovery Center and spent time at Hope Studios collaborating with artists to create garden art that was then installed at the Ann Spohnholz Community Garden on the St. Mary’s campus in Anchorage.
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Funding from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority supported the installation of luxury vinyl plank flooring in two of our assisted living homes where worn and uneven surfaces had begun to create mobility challenges. The new flooring provides smooth, consistent transitions throughout each home, improving accessibility and safety for residents, particularly those using walkers, wheelchairs, or who experience balance or vision impairments. This upgrade has also enhanced residents’ independence and sense of dignity, while supporting staff in maintaining clean, hygienic, and efficient living environments. The improved flooring contributes to a more welcoming, comfortable atmosphere and enhances the daily experience of the people who live and work in these homes.
Alaska Community Foundation
The Alaska Community Foundation awarded Hope multiple grants supporting inclusive, community-based programming. One grant made possible the 2024 Community Engagement Summer Camp, serving 34 children and young adults. Campers explored hands-on learning, creativity, and outdoor adventure — wildlife education, ceramics, tie-dye art, an APD K9 visit, and horseback riding at Flying Horse Equestrian Center.
A second grant funded the development of a new orchard at our Willow Ranch — transforming open acreage into a sustainable food-producing resource with apple and cherry trees. The orchard strengthens food security for Ranch residents, supplies local programs, and encourages regional growing projects through future graft-sharing and education.
Together, these investments fueled connection, inclusion, local nutrition, and community learning — all rooted in generosity and growth.
City of Kodiak
The City of Kodiak helps fund recreational programming through Hope’s Emerald Island Recreation Center for people who receive services in Kodiak. This funding expands access to fitness and wellness activities, creativity and self-expression, and community inclusion, including arts and crafts, woodworking, gardening, sensory integration activities, dance, yoga, swimming, hiking, fishing, biking, bowling, and community outings. These opportunities support health, well-being, and social connection, ensuring that the people we serve can engage fully in the experiences that enrich daily life.
Kodiak Island Borough
Funding from the Kodiak Island Borough supports essential community health services that Hope offers through the Emerald Island Recreation Center. These resources help sustain programs that promote recreation, food security, education, and wellness for people and families in Kodiak. With this support, participants have access to community-based activities such as swimming, hiking, art and woodworking projects, fishing, cooking classes, gardening, yoga, meditation, and dance. The funding also helps maintain Hope’s greenhouse and fish smokehouse, supporting local food access and hands-on learning. Together, these programs help ensure that people of all abilities can participate fully in meaningful and enriching experiences.
Legislative Capital Funds & ARPA
Legislative capital funding supported critical infrastructure and safety improvements across several homes. These upgrades included the installation of a new fire monitoring system in one home, providing an added layer of security for residents and staff in conjunction with existing sprinkler systems. The funds also enabled the replacement of a water heater and the installation of new flooring in two additional homes, ensuring reliable operations and safer, more comfortable living environments. Together, these investments have strengthened the safety and long-term sustainability of our facilities.
Also, through reimbursement from the State of Alaska’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), we installed a walk-in bathtub in one of our assisted living homes. This upgrade offers safe, accessible, and therapeutic self-care accommodations.
Mayor's Community Grant
Funding from the Mayor’s Community Grant supported the purchase and assembly of emergency preparedness kits for Hope’s office buildings and community facilities. These first aid and disaster response kits enhance safety and readiness across our programs, including locations such as the Art Studio, Kenai Community Center, and Kodiak Community Center.
Because emergency preparation is especially critical for people who have mobility or medical support needs, these resources help make sure that staff and support recipients are equipped to respond effectively during unexpected situations. Each kit includes essential medical supplies and emergency tools to support safe, timely, and coordinated response in the event of a medical incident, power outage, or natural disaster.
Security / Stability
The home now has all new interior paint, flooring, lighting, kitchen countertops, appliances, and a complete remodel of three bathrooms. These changes have not only improved the look of the home but also created a safer, more comfortable, and more accessible space for residents and staff.
– Reitman Family Trust Grant Project
Joy
– Alaska Mental Health Trust Project
Relationships
Core Court is in the middle of a brilliant refresh! The first resident (AJ) moved into their beautifully remodeled apartment with multiple options that he selected himself. He chose some bold paint colors for the bedroom! We also had new floors installed throughout Shorecrest. The amazing thing was the entire job was done while people were still living there and nobody was displaced from their rooms!
– Rasmuson Foundation Project
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