Investing in our Communities: New Teen Center in Kake
Thursday, November 7, 2019

Sealaska is partnering with the village of Kake (Keex’ Kwaan) to help stand up a youth teen center. Community partners include the city of Kake and the federally recognized tribe, the Organized Village of Kake (OVK). As part of these joint efforts, Sealaska approved $50,000 that will help to open a facility that can support a positive space for youth. This is the story of a community coming together and listening to the needs of their teens.

It started with asking a simple question, said Damen Bell-Holter, Sealaska’s director of youth development. “Every community I visit, I always ask the youth, how can we support you? For teenagers in Kake, the answer was clear: they wanted a safe, central place to gather.”

Damen has been running workshops and basketball camps throughout Southeast, working with children on confidence and motivating them to invest in themselves. Sealaska’s goal is to see 100 percent graduation rate for all children in Southeast Alaska. This new teen center will help remove some of those barriers.

Conversation by conversation, the community came together to come up with a plan. Teens took the initiative to work closely with different community leaders to ask for their own space.

“Damen planted the seed. It was just an idea, but it keeps growing, it keeps multiplying,” said Paulette Jackson, Native Connections Director, Organized Village of Kake. “

Paulette then helped circulate a survey of what the youth wanted. “They want to know their heritage, their culture and they wanted to know the land that they came from,” she said. This will help inform what kinds of activities and programs
 
The plan is to renovate the former National Guard Armory building. According to the city, the building is still in good condition but there are issues with the water and sewer. The $50,000 donation from Sealaska will allow for renovations to the building utilities.

“We know from our shareholder surveys that investments in our youth are a top priority,” said Sealaska Board Chair Joe Nelson. “We commend the youth who identified a critical need and developed a solution. This approach made the investment an easy decision.”

OVK Transportation has already dug the trench for the sewer and water lines. Paulette is busy ordering the kitchen and bathroom equipment and looking for contractors to carry out the renovations. If they keep moving at this pace, she thinks the center could open as early as next May.

The Organized Village of Kake along with Kake teens are identifying potential opportunities for positive youth programming such as health and wellness, cultural teachings, technical skills, and dedicated space for studying.

For Paulette, the end result will be worth it. “The new teen center means we can have a place for youth to do cultural activities and socialize—that means a safe space, in a drug and alcohol-free environment,” said Paulette.



Latest News


Sealaska Spring 2024 Distribution Date Announced

Posted 3/19/2024
The Sealaska Board of Directors will meet on Friday, April 12, 2024, to approve the amount for Sealaska’s 2024 spring distribution. The distribution will take place on Thursday, April 18.  Shareholders can prepare for a seamless distribution by completing any enrollment or stock transfer paperwork, including gifting or inheritance, by Friday, April 12 at 4 p.m. The last day to make changes to addresses or direct deposit information is Monday, April 15, , before close of business, or online via M...

Sealaska announces Desiree Jackson to serve as Vice President of Administration and Outreach

Posted 3/6/2024
Jackson’s goals, experience are aligned with Sealaska’s vision for shareholders, communities and the region’s collective future. A focus on strategy, values and excellence has led Desiree Anax x’aséigu yé Jackson to her new role as Sealaska’s Vice President of Administration and Outreach. Jackson has served as the executive director of...

First Quarter Board Q&A provides shareholders an opportunity to connect with their board

Posted 3/4/2024
Members of Sealaska’s board of directors had an opportunity to connect with shareholders and answer questions during the Feb. 29 board Q&A session hosted on MySealaska. Directors Barbara Cadiente Nelson, Ka’illjuus Lisa Lang joined Executive Chair Joe Nelson and Board Youth Advisor Deikeenaak’w  Connor Ulmer in providing an update following January’s board meeting and shared upcoming opportunities and associated deadlines with participants. Sealaska’s language grant application period i...

Virtual Shareholder Orientation offers connection, information for original and new shareholders alike

Posted 2/26/2024
Sealaska’s Shareholder Relations team hosted a virtual shareholder orientation on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for an audience of nearly 170 shareholders from far and wide. This event offered both new and long-term shareholders a chance to learn more about the benefits and responsibilities of being a shareholder and answer questions about specific Shareholder Relations policies, procedures and protocol.   Shareholder Relations Manager Jodie Gatti, who joined the Sealaska team in November, was joined by...

Sealaska Announces Sealaska Board Endorsed Nominee Opening

Posted 2/22/2024
Deadline Friday, March 15 at 5:00 PM Alaska Time Five seats on the Sealaska board of directors will be filled through this year’s annual board elections. Sealaska is seeking qualified shareholders to apply for nomination, including one board-endorsed seat, and three board-endorsed incumbents running for reelection. At least one seat wi...