Please tell us your stories, share your experiences and inspire others.

Coming from a supportive family where I was encouraged to participate in activities that highlighted my talents, I played lots of sports growing up. Those experiences not only kept me busy, but they also helped me to build self-confidence. At the time I would not have identified it as this, but my involvement in sports provided supportive adult relationships, a positive atmosphere, self-awareness, and a sense that the community cared about what I was doing. I am blessed and thankful. NOW IT'S MY TURN TO DO THE SAME FOR GIRLS IN OUR COMMUNITY! As a new coach for Girls on the Run, we meet with six 4th grade girls twice a week to provide all those things :) Already, I see the impact that this program and my presence as a mentor will have on the girls’ personal development through the smiles shared, positive attitudes expressed, and encouraging words used during practice . I’ll keep you posted as the season rolls out…

After listening to the stories of what others are doing to help with the 90% by 2020 I was inspired to become a BIG SISTER for the youth here in Anchorage. I will be mentoring a Foster child a few hours a week. Thanks AUY for inspiring me to help!!!

A bright youth I knew graduated at the top of his class but decided college was "not for him.". He wanted to first study "in the school of life" for a while So we set up an informal arrangement whereby I am his "professor" in the school of life. He calls to check in now and then, run proposals and observational writings by me and get my opinion on political and other life situations. We have even agreed to establish criterion by which he can assess his progress each "semester." We call it "co-learning" in the school of life.

When I lived in a small town and traveled a lot I hired local youth to mow the lawn, water the flowers, feed the kitties and the fish. In my new home, I recently found an 8 year old neighbor that is super excited to play with my kitty and take care of her while we travel. Helps me, the kitty, a local youth, AND creates neighborhood relationships!

Please tell us your stories, share your experiences and inspire others. I work with children, teens and adults in a program for grieving families. The youth who attend show us what incredibly wonderful and compassionate choices they can make for themselves and others. During one program night, a teen girl shared that she just didn't care about anything. The teen next to her reached out immediately and put an arm around her shoulders; a simple gesture from a peer that meant so much. During another program night, a young man played the violin to his mother who died: it was halting, with many wrong notes, but the sweetest expression of love that many of us had ever seen. These are the actions of the youth in our community that I see: compassion, love, forgiveness, and hope, even in the midst of one of life's greatest challenges.

One Sunday a young woman attended our Sunday morning worship service. It was her first time in attendance. When she left, she told her friend's grandmother that almost every adult in the church came by to shake her hand, ask her name, and welcome her. She left feeling important.

Class Pride! I often do presentations to area schools and I recently greeted an 8th grade class "Good morning class of 2016" - I was met with blank stares. I asked my granddaughter what class she was in and she said "I'm in different classes all day" When I explained that I wanted to know what year her graduating class was, she had to count on her fingers to figure it out. In addition to the other efforts to involve our community in supporting our students, we should think of ways to bring class pride back into the schools - even at the middle school level. If students feel that they are part of a group that will graduate together and have some pride around that, it could make a difference. For example, local businesses could sponsor "The class of 2014" - offer them incentives for community involvment such as class shirts, wrist bands, etc. I'm sure there are lots of good ideas out there.

I met with the Principal of our school, which is in rural Alaska and off the road system. The Principal stated our graduation rate maintains at nearly 100%. A few years back a few students dropped out- some to be homeschooled or some making the decision to pursue their GED. But - most students complete. Homeschoolers are welcome to join traditional school sports, participate in all school activities, and join the graduating class ceremonies. The Principal attributes the success, of course, to the small town where everyone is involved with kids. Easier to get to know students and to talk to adults because everyone knows each other. Teachers are able to give more attention to those that may be struggling as the classes are smaller. The Principal feels more successful being able to help students as she is the Principal and is also in the classroom. Since the community is so small, it is easier for kids to have mentors. One individual, who is a retired teacher and math major, volunteers a few times a week doing "Power Hour" helping kids of all ages with math.

I am a graying white man living in the wonderfully diverse neighborhood of South Mountain View. While working in my front yard one day this summer I heard the boisterous talk of young teen boys walking past. As I rounded the large evergreen tree in my yard I saw a strapping young Samoan teen, full of bravado, attempting to show his friends his strength by lifting the hitch of my small travel trailer. Simultaneously he glanced my way and we made eye contact. He immediately released the hitch and stood up. I held his eyes for the briefest of moments acknowledging our mutual moment and my displeasure (but knowing fully that I was that teen in my day). With his eyes and a subtle gesture he almost convulsively conveyed an apology, regret, and the pensive fear of a teen caught in the act. After letting a fleeting moment pass for him to fully bask in and consider the moment, I relaxed my gaze and nodded as if to say “You know what you were doing is disrespectful, and because you showed me you know, you may go on your way.” With that, he almost imperceptibly nodded his acknowledgement – and relief – then darted to catch up to his friends. It was a wordless exchange of mutual understanding and mutual respect and he left with something to think about… and to be thankful for.

I am a graying white man living in the wonderfully diverse neighborhood of South Mountain View. While working in my front yard one day this summer I heard the boisterous talk of young teen boys walking past. As I rounded the large evergreen tree in my yard I saw a strapping young Samoan teen, full of bravado, attempting to show his friends his strength by lifting the hitch of my small travel trailer. Simultaneously he glanced my way and we made eye contact. He immediately released the hitch and stood up. I held his eyes for the briefest of moments acknowledging our mutual moment and my displeasure (but knowing fully that I was that teen in my day). With his eyes and a subtle gesture he almost convulsively conveyed an apology, regret, and the pensive fear of a teen caught in the act. After letting a fleeting moment pass for him to fully bask in and consider the moment, I relaxed my gaze and nodded as if to say “You know what you were doing is disrespectful, and because you showed me you know, you may go on your way.” With that, he almost imperceptibly nodded his acknowledgement – and relief – then darted to catch up to his friends. It was a wordless exchange of mutual understanding and mutual respect and he left with something to think about… and to be thankful for.

Connecting with Anchorage youth can be as simple as sharing a smile when looking towards the mountains during alpenglow, or giving a friendly smile, nod and wave along with eye contact to let a young bicyclist know you see them in traffic. There is a special connection that can happen with very little effort, and we all benefit.

I love living in Anchorage. I was jogging on the Coastal Trail, and as my friend and I passed a older man he shouted, “Good pace boys!” It was a little funny, but encouraging nonetheless. It got me thinking about the 90% by 2020 goal and the simple actions anyone can take to support youth. Sometimes we just need a smile, an acknowledgement or a “good pace” shout-out. Is that enough to finish the race or to meet the goal by itself? No. But it is part of the process and the journey and each of us has a responsibility to act. As I completed my jog that day, I realized it was time to make my personal commitment to be intentional and supportive of youth. It’s been an enlightening experience so far, and I know it’s making Anchorage an even greater place.

Several weeks ago I was invited to attend a community conversation on United Way’s goal to raise the high school graduation rate to 90%. As part of the conversation, attendees discussed factors that prevented students from graduating high school. During that discussion I came to the realization that I had experienced nearly all of the difficulties mentioned, yet I graduated on time near the top of my class, I went on to graduate college, and have begun my first year in a master’s program. I questioned why I was successful when so many were not. Why? I was mentored. I was mentored not by one, but by many, many wonderful, successful individuals who took an interest in me and were willing to donate their time. At the end of the community discussion the attendees were asked to make a commitment to support youth. My commitment was to donate time at local schools.

Anchorage is such a friendly place and I often greet strangers when I pass them on the street or on the Coastal Trail. But when this campaign began, I realized that I was looking past or through kids, assuming they wouldn’t care about or welcome the same kind of interaction as adults. I won’t make that assumption any longer. Instead, I’m now making a specific effort to notice kids and teens, and smiling and saying “hi” when our paths cross. We all tend to feel more connected when we experience that kind of courtesy, respect — and friendliness — regardless of age.