Boys Run I Thanks
Dear Editor: Thanks to incredible community support, Sitka’s ninth season of Boys Run I toowú klatseen was a huge success! Following 10 weeks of learning social and emotional skills necessary to build healthy relationships, nearly 30 third- through fifth-grade boys ran a Mario Kart-themed 5K Fun Run on Saturday, Dec. 9, accompanied by amazing friends, family, and supporters.
Boys Run works to combat Alaska’s high rates of suicide, substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault by teaching boys to recognize and process emotions, and by connecting them to positive adult mentors and Southeast Alaska Native culture and traditional values. This program thrives in Sitka because of the amount of community support and partnership that goes into it.
We at Sitkans Against Family Violence are thankful for our partners in the Pathways Coalition for coordinating this season of BRITK: Sitka Conservation Society, Sitka Counseling, Sitka School District, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and Youth Advocates of Sitka. Thank you to Raven Radio, KIFW and the Sitka Sentinel for allowing us to share Boys Run messages through their channels.
Thanks to our funders: the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and the Association of Alaska School Boards. Thank you to AC Lakeside and Backdoor Cafe for donating delicious food and drinks for our celebration, Russell’s for providing discounted shoes, Harrigan Centennial Hall for providing the 5K space, and Sitka National Historical Park for donating the park permit. And thank you to the folks who volunteered at the 5K!
We also want to extend a huge thank you to our incredible coaches. These individuals, many of whom are employed by Pathways partners, gave their time weekly to serve as positive role models for program participants. They modeled leadership and teamwork, and they brought enthusiasm and energy to each practice.
Of course, Boys Run would not be what it is without the enthusiastic and engaged boys who participate in the program. We can’t thank this season’s participants enough for their commitment to their goals and each other. The coaches got to witness growth in each of them throughout the season, and we trust that they’ll go forward to practice the healthy expression of emotions, teamwork, allyship, and celebrate cultural diversity throughout their lives. This growth would not have been possible without the continuous support of their parents and guardians.
Sitka, thank you again, for showing your care for and support of this community’s boys, and your dedication to helping them grow into respectful, inclusive individuals who can express their emotions in a healthy way. Together, we are building a safer, healthier community!
If you are interested in getting involved with Sitka’s Boys Run I toowú klatseen next year, or its springtime partner program, Girls on the Run, please contact Cassie Guiley at cguiley@safv.org or 747-3493. We’re always looking for coaches, and we’d love to have you join us in this important work! With gratitude,
Cassie Guiley
Boys Run I
toowú klatseen Coordinator,
Sitkans Against Family Violence
Annual Meeting
Dear Editor: The staff and volunteers of the Sitka Homeless Coalition would like to thank everyone who came to our second annual meeting on Dec. 10. The community attendance and support made it a huge success. Many thanks also go to Seafood Producer’s Cooperative who donated the fish, Chef Renee from BEAK restaurant who prepared the meal and donated the rest of the ingredients, and the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi who donated the space.
The silent auction was fun and the money raised will be put towards our general fund that will be allocated towards operational costs and our Little House project.
We want to thank all of the businesses and members of the community who donated items for the auction: Island Artist Gallery (Pat Kehoe, Amy Sweeny, Janet Berlin, Norm Campbell, Elizabeth Faulkner, Monkshood Meadow Creations), Sitka Work and Rugged Gear store, Artist Cove Gallery (Steve Pflipsen), Southeast Dough Company, Fate Accompli, Fortress of the Bear, Backdoor Café, Wildflour Café, Ludvig’s Bistro, Bumble Expeditions LLC, Silver Basin, Green Witch Gallery, Amelia Gage, Ritch Phillips, Cleo Brylinsky, Liz Zacher, Ana Dirrmar, Mark Sixby, Stormy, Julia Smith, Loren Olsen and Kathy Ingallinera.
As with these types of things, it’s possible I missed someone, so if I did, I’m sorry and know that we appreciate each of you!!
There is still time to donate to our end of the year fundraising effort and you can do that at www.sheltersitka.org. Every bit helps! Thanks and happy holidays!
Kathy Ingallinera and
the Sitka Homeless Coalition
