United Way of Anchorage

Established in 1965, Rural Alaska Community Action Program is a private, nonprofit and social service and welfare organization. It provides basic resources and support services for low income groups, children and families. It also provides opportunities for leadership development, housing, and promotes environmental conservation. The community operates various programs such as the Homeward Bound for children and youth suffering from substance abuse and alcohol addiction. The community also provides independent living options through the Anchorage Homeless Outreach program. It additionally operates Head Start programs with the aid of more than 200 social workers and volunteers. Its Head Start program serves children and families and emphasizes on physical, and cognitive and social skills development. Additionally, it operates a child development center that provides early childhood education, and is approved by the National Association of Education for Young Children. The organization is located in Anchorage, Ala.

Access Alaska, established in 1983, is a private, nonprofit, consumer-controlled organization that provides independent living services to seniors and people with disabilities. The center provides a variety of services, including information and referral, consumer directed personal attendant services, individual and systems advocacy, independent living skills instruction, care coordination, home and community-based waivers, adaptive equipment loan, home accessibility modifications, peer counseling, youth transition from school to work, developmental disabilities services, clinical services, interpreter referral services, and technical assistance on accessibility regulations and codes. The center also publishes health and human service directory, Alaska Resource Manual, that assists social service providers and nonprofit organizations serving low-income families who require health and human services. Access Alaska has offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Wasilla, Ala.