Valley Charities, Inc.

Mission Statement: A charitable organization that provides opportunity, support and services to Valley individuals, families and organizations.

Valley Charities, Inc. has been providing services to Mat-Su Valley residents and organizations since the late 1950’s. Valley Charities has always had a threefold purpose; the sale of donated quality second hand goods at reasonable prices; the medical equipment loan program; and financial grants to individuals, families and community organizations.

Valley Charities has been owned and operated by several distinguished Valley residents throughout its long history. Christina Smith founded the organization in 1956 and oversaw operations into the 1970’s. Pat Newcombe and Collen Cottle carried on the mission until early 1987 and Ellen Malone and Olga Ward were in charge from 1987-1991.

In 1991, Valley Charities was incorporated as a 501©(3) non-profit. Since that time Valley Charitieshas been owned and operated by a seven member board of directors. The board of directors have guided Valley Charities and the expansion of its retail store Treasure Loft. Over the last 15 years the Treasure Loft has grown from its original 1800 sq. ft. location to the 13,500 sq. ft. location you are now standing in. Valley Charities has also opened a second retail operation called Hidden Treasures, located at 501 E. Herning St.

The current board of directors is committed to continuing the original purposes of Valley Charities as we expand the retail operations so we can financially meet the needs of current Valley individuals, families and organizations.

VCC

Valley Christian Conference

Mission Statement: Valley Christian Conference is to serve our communities by providing opportunities for ecumenical worship, for education, and for doing good in the name of Christ.

Valley Christian Conference (VCC) originated in October, 1992, with the pastors of five Valley churches.  These were the Church of the Covenant (American Baptist), First Presbyterian of Wasilla, First United Methodist, Good Shepherd Lutheran, and St. David’s Episcopal churches. Together, this alliance initiated quality outreach programs supporting numerous Valley residents today.  Currently the Valley Christian Conference is comprised of eleven churches.  The additional member churches are United Protestant Church, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Palmer United Methodist Church and Community of Christ Church.

The Board of Directors consists of the pastors of each member church and one lay person from each church.   The Operating Council is made up of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and three at-large members from the regular Board.   The Board of Directors meets quarterly to review and plan ahead with a focus on outreach growth and sustainability.

There have been two outreach organizations formed by VCC to serve in the Valley.  These are the Food Pantry of Wasilla, which operates at the site of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and Valley Residential Services (VRS) with offices in the Century Plaza.  The Food Pantry is serving an average of 850 families a month.  VRS is now operating 150 units of low-income special needs housing.  The Valley Christian Conference has also become the umbrella organization for the Treasure Loft thrift store. The Treasure Loft thrift store uses its net proceeds and donations to serve the medical and social needs of Valley residents.

The Valley Christian Conference churches participate in ecumenical worship services to celebrate the week of prayer for Christian Unity and Easter Sunrise. Additionally, to fulfill its educational aim, the conference churches furnish free summer youth Vacation Bible School and Christian Arts Camp.

Daybreak, Inc.

The purpose of Daybreak is to help develop and facilitate a community in which an individual can met their personal, physical, emotional and spiritual goals and their highest potentials and aspirations are encouraged.

 

Daybreak was incorporated as a 501©(3) non-profit in 1985. Daybreak, Inc. is sponsored by Valley Christian Conference (VCC) an ecumenical partnership of eleven Valley churches. VCC has the responsibility of appointing board members and oversight.

In September of 1988, Daybreak opened Daybreak Apartments on Hemmer Rd. outside of Palmer. Daybreak provided supportive housing and service coordination to the nineteen Daybreak Apartment residents until 2000. It was in 2000, that Daybreak, Inc. decided to separate the housing and service coordination functions. Daybreak, Inc. was instrumental in the development of Valley Residential Services (VRS). VRS first managed and eventually purchased Daybreak Apartments.

Daybreak, Inc., has grown and continues to provide service coordination to approximately eighty Mat-su Valley residents. Daybreak helps these mental health consumers find success in their daily living activities. These activities include stable housing, transportation, and vocational opportunities.

Daybreak, Inc. is also involved with several important community efforts including United Way’s Youth Anti-Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, the Matsu Housing Coalition, Palmer Therapuetic Court and Matsu agency Partnership (MAPS).

Daybreak works closely with Valley Charities, Inc., VRS and Wasilla Food Pantry to meet the needs of Valley individuals and families.

VRS

Valley Residential Services

Mission Statement: Valley Residential Services is to build, acquire and operate quality, affordable housing for persons with special needs. Special needs defined as those individuals with mental or developmental disabilities, individuals with low or moderate income or advanced in age.

VRS, sponsored by the Valley Christian Conference, was incorporated in 1998 and received 501(c) (3) non-profit status in 1999. In 2000 VRS was recognized as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO).

With the vision of the 9-member Board of Director team, VRS has developed and acquired housing facilities in the Mat-Su Valley. With the support of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, HUD, the Rasmuson Foundation, First National Bank Alaska, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Richman Group and Wells Fargo, VRS has obtained $20 million for construction of special needs housing.

The support of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Mat-Su Health Foundation and the State of Alaska has assisted in maintaining VRS and keeping its mission on course.

In 2008, eight short years, VRS has grown to an inventory of 160 housing units, representing $30 million in properties, currently serving 250 residents of the Mat-Su Valley, giving them the gift of safe, clean, affordable housing.