Young People

This holiday season will mark the third year Representative Les Gara of Anchorage has worked with Facing Foster Care in Alaska to gather donated laptops for local youths in foster programs. Gara, who was in foster care as a youth, said having a computer is not only necessary for young people today to be competitive in school, but it also offers an opportunity to weave a bit of normalcy into a life that lacks the stability of a traditional, permanent home.  Those who wish to donate good, functioning laptops can do so by contacting Rep. Gara's office at 907-269-0106.  Donated laptops must be Wi-Fi capable and have word processing software.

Alaska Native storytellers are trying to modernize their tales and teach them to a new generation, keeping their traditions alive into the future. Whether it's the story of how your parents met, a fairy tale about three bears and a little blonde girl, or the legend of how Raven brought water to the earth, every society and every family has its stories.  For most of us, we grew up hearing stories from our parents or grandparents. As children they seem like adventurous tales.

by Christine Kim Tuesday, June 15, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- According to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, millions of dollars are spent to help "at risk" teens throughout the state. One particular program transitions teens into the work force. The Covy Café teaches its workers job skills as part of a youth training program. The café is run by the Covenant House and employs "at risk" youth from youth facilities around town. This will be 17-year-old Elizabeth Milligrock's first summer working at the Covy Café.

by Channel 2 News staff Thursday, January 07, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska's young people are drinking less, but using more marijuana. The Department of Health and Social Services, along with the Division of Public Health, completed its bi-annual youth risk behaviors survey. The survey found that 33 percent of Alaska teens consumed alcohol in the last 30 days-- that's down from just over 39 percent in 2007. But nearly 23 percent used marijuana in the last month, a 2 percent increase from two years ago. The survey showed rates of dating violence increased.

The Salvation Army is expanding its presence in Anchorage. During a ground-blessing ceremony Sunday, officials  revealed construction plans for a new $5.7 million community center in Fairview. The 18,050-square-foot center will house a gymnasium, computer lab and a library in addition to a 200-seat auditorium. The Salvation Army says the building's primary use will be serving children and the needy. “We will be focusing on kids in the community who, after school, will find a safe for them to come and do their homework, to have a little recreation – that is what the new facility is all about,” said Maj. Doug Tollerud, the Salvation Army’s Alaska divisional commander.

Tuesday saw day two of the Elder's and Youth Conference, a forerunner to the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, in Fairbanks.   You might say the Elders and Youth Conference is one big brainstorm, the old and the young, working together to make a difference. Their assignment this year: to find ways to use native language and culture as a blue print for success. Alaska Native Jeopardy is one of the most popular events at the conference and organizers of the event hope to show that learning about Native history can be fun and sometimes subject for debate.

An Anchorage teenager is using her personal experience of being a bully and a victim of bullying, to take a stand against the issue and raise awareness of its effects. Ashley Hanley, 17, was bullied in junior high and high school- physically, verbally, and online. One year, she says the harrassment became so bad that she decided to retaliate by becoming the bully herself. Now, Hanley is trying to raise awareness about the issue and use her experience to help victims of bullying or people who may be tempted to bully others.

Science teachers at Anchorage’s Gruening Middle School have found a way to get students excited about a subject that most people don't consider until college -- even though their projects all tanked Friday at an underwater robotics competition. The teachers like the idea that they're passing on skills which might someday lead young people to places like NASA or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “I love this kind of work -- as a teacher, it's exactly how I want to interact with kids,” said teacher Janet Clarke.

by Ashton Goodell Tuesday, February 02, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A civil rights leader spoke Tuesday night in Anchorage on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles was with King during the last hour of his life. During Black History Month, Kyles travels around the world reinforcing  King's message and his dream for the future.  Kyles says he has seen the dream of civil rights and now wants to help young people realize the power of their own dreams.