Connect Mat-Su

Living Long is Thrilling: A Fireside Chat
2024-04-08 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Anchorage)
Picture yourself with an extra 20 years of life ahead. How would you embrace this
precious gift of time?
Join us as we hear from Ayse Birsel and Bruce Chernof, who embarked on a year-long
journey to explore how older individuals envision and design their extended lives. What
they discovered was profound: regardless of age, love, purpose, well-being, and friendship
remain essential pillars of a fulfilling life.
Together, they will impart simple, research-backed strategies for longer life with optimism,
not pessimism. Join us as they delve into their groundbreaking work and take questions
from the audience about their upcoming collaboration with the Mat-Su Council on Aging
and the Mat-Su Health Foundation in Mat-Su. This discussion is open to all who seek to
enrich their lives and communities.

Presentation | Adverse Childhood Experiences (In Person & Zoom)
2024-04-08 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-03-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-03-19 10:00 - 11:00
This FREE presentation is open to ADULTS who are interested in learning how to identify and counteract Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to develop resilient kids.
Registration is not required.
Frequent or prolonged exposure to stress can create toxic stress which can damage the developing brain of a child and overall health. A Survival Mode Response to toxic stress increases a child’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and muscle tension. Their thinking brain is knocked offline. Self-protection is their priority. In other words: “I can’t hear you! I can’t respond to you! I am just trying to be safe!”
Learn How Resilience Trumps ACEs! Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers can help by:
– Gaining an understanding of ACEs and how they affect children’s social, emotional, and cognitive abilities and their connection to a wide range of health problems throughout a person’s lifespan.
– Creating environments where children feel safe emotionally & physically.
– Helping children identify feelings & manage emotions
– Creating a safe physical & emotional environment at home, in school, and in neighborhoods.
– Share ways to build resilience.
Questions?
Presentation Content Contact: boydenmichelle@gmail.com
Event Details Contact: candrews@rockmatsu.org
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82576480185?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 825 7648 0185
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training: Stewards of Children®
2024-04-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-05 10:00 - 12:00
What is Stewards of Children ®?
Stewards of Children® is a prevention training that teaches adults how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program is designed for organizations that serve youth and for individuals concerned about the safety of children.
It is the only nationally distributed, evidence-informed program proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child protective behaviors.
Important Information:
– There is no need to officially register for this event.
– No childcare offered on-site.
– This training is good for 2 contact hours of continuing education for social workers, nurses, and foster parents.
Contact for more information:
Telsche Overby
telscheoverby@gmail.com
OR
Colleen Andrews
candrews@rockmatsu.org

Willow Community Health Fair
2024-04-06 08:00 - 12:00
This health fair is a cooperative effort of Sunshine Community Health and The Trapper Creek Community Center.
Services Provided:
Affordable blood tests
Vision screenings
Health resources
Appointments are strongly recommended. Walk-ins will be worked into the open available slots. Appointments can be booked by visiting the website: alaskahealthfair.org or by calling: 907-278-0234

2024 R.O.C.K. Mat-Su Go Blue Rally!
2024-04-05 11:00 - 13:00
Join us!
R.O.C.K. Mat-Su is hosting a rally on April 5, 2024, to raise awareness and kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The rally will take place on the corner of Parks Hwy. and Crusey St. on both the McDonald’s and Newcomb Park side from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
This is a nationwide effort to raise public awareness about and take a stand against child abuse and neglect. It is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities who work together to prevent child abuse and neglect and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families.
Can’t attend the rally? Here are other suggestions:
– Wear blue on April 5th. Take a selfie and post it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the following hashtags: #CAPAlaska, #GoBlueAlaska, #rockmatsu
– Send out an email to everyone at work, friends, and family, encouraging them to wear blue
– Create a sign and join us!
We must abide by the State of Alaska’s right-of-way guidelines.
• Stay off the train track side of Parks Hwy as there is no sidewalk and the tracks are close by and it is unknown if snow berms are present on that side of the highway, instead stay on the sidewalk side of Parks Hwy.
• Do not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
• Do not leave any signs or banners behind after the rally is done.
• Do not park any vehicles along the highway or right of way for the rally.
• No selling or commerce in the State of Alaska right of way.

Knik Tribe Talking Circle- Willow
2024-04-04 12:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-28 12:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-21 12:00 - 14:00
Based on the traditional way of communication, the talking circle provides a space for sharing, healing, and connecting with others.

Knik Tribe Family Culture Nights
2024-04-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-03-27 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-03-20 17:30 - 19:30
Please join Knik Tribe for weekly culture nights with food and fun for the whole family!

Substance Use Drop-in Group 2023
2024-04-03 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-03-27 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-03-20 13:00 - 14:30
Support is available at Benteh Nuutah Four Directions Outpatient Treatment Center. Your recovery journey is unique and so is your treatment. This program assists individuals with discovering and working toward personal goals for a happy, healthy life. If you are attending the group for the first time, please arrive 10-15 minutes early. This group is available to adults 18 and older. You do not need to enroll in this outpatient treatment program to attend.
Every Wednesday 1-2:30 p.m.

Parenting Classes
2024-04-03 11:30 - 13:00
Alaska Family Services Family Support and Preservation Program is proud to represent the ‘Active Parenting Now!’ curriculum, this 6-week course covers Parenting styles, Active Communication, Effective Discipline, Understanding and Redirecting Misbehaviors, Courage Character and Self-Esteem, as well as guidelines for conducting Family Meetings.
This class meets once a week on Wednesdays at 11:30 am, typically running until about 12:30 pm but is slotted to go until 1:00 pm depending on discussion time.
Fees: The class fee is a one-time $75.00 cash fee collected at the beginning of first class. The price is per person. If you have an open OCS case, you may ask your case worker for a ‘Purchase Authorization’ to pay for the class for you. This can be emailed to FSPP@AKAFS.ORG by your case worker.
Please call 907-745-4920 or 907-795-9424 to reserve your seat.
I hope to see you in class!

Free Blood Pressure Checks
2024-04-02 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Upper Susitna Community and Senior Center for lunch on the 1st Tuesday of every month and get your blood pressure checked by professionals from Sunshine Community Health Center. We will also be provided blood pressure logs to take home and occasionally will have the Patient Advocate available to answer any resource-related questions. Call 1-907-376-2273 for more information.

Families Supporting Change
2024-04-01 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-18 12:00 - 13:00
This free group is for family and friends with a desire to help make a change in the life of a loved one who struggles with substance abuse. Each Monday there is an opportunity to learn evidence-based tools to encourage change, develop positive communication techniques, take care of yourself on this journey, and understand your loved one’s behavior.

Class: Grow a Giant Cabbage
2024-03-28 12:00 - 13:00
Class hosted by University of Fairbank’s Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center

Community Meeting- Drug Endangered Children
2024-03-28 12:00
The Mat-Su DEC Alliance is presenting our DEC MDT progress and next steps to the community. Several Core Team members and DEC Family advocates will be reflecting on DEC accomplishments and plans. We are extremely honored to have a participant speaking to her experience with the DEC program. She will be joined by the Law Enforcement Officer and DEC Family Advocate who works with her family. Tabitha Mattie (DEC Family Advocate with Alaska Youth & Family Network), Keith Barkwood (School Resource Officer with the Palmer Police Department) and this DEC participating mom will share a live example of the DEC Response team activity and subsequent result. A light dinner will be provided for refreshment sponsored by R.O.C.K. Mat-Su. We hope you will join us for this meaningful discussion and look forward to connecting with you.

Town Hall Meeting- Lack of housing in the Mat-Su Valley
2024-03-27 18:00 - 19:30
This town hall meeting is being called to discuss the issue of the lack of housing for people experiencing homelessness here in the Matsu Valley. I am inviting you all to attend this meeting to participate in the conversation. There will be a panel with 4 community leaders with many years of experience working and living in the Matsu Valley for Q&A. Snacks will be provided.
Please reach out to Lori Syverson for additional info at lori@linksprc.org

Memory Cafe
2024-03-26 13:00 - 14:30
Memory Cafés are an opportunity for people living with dementia and their care partners to engage in much-needed socialization and enjoy the company of others who are on the same journey.
Join our Memory Café for the music, the chance to recharge, and to enjoy each other’s company.
Free to attend for those living with dementia and their care partners, and for those looking to improve brain wellness. Registration required.

Class: Soil Sampling & Ferilizers
2024-03-25 18:00 - 19:00

Training | Raising Resilience (Online and In-Person)
2024-03-21 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a presentation on raising resilient youth!
This will include information from a 2019 Johns Hopkins study on the effects of positive childhood experiences. Despite growing up with adversity, positive experiences buffer the trauma and promote healing.
Learn ways to foster healthy growth and development in children that correlates to stronger adult mental health and overall wellness.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82576480185…
Meeting ID: 825 7648 0185
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Questions?
Presentation Content Contact: michelle.boyden@matsuk12.us
R.O.C.K. Mat-Su Contact:
candrews@rockmatsu.org

Living Well with Vision Loss
2024-03-19 12:30 - 14:00
Are you losing more and more vision? Do you know someone who is blind or visually impaired? If so, there are resources available in the Mat-Su Valley! Come check us out!
Please welcome special guest, Barb White, AARP Tax Aide Volunteer. She will discuss who should file their taxes, deductions and answer basic tax law questions.
