The Door

10/12/2026

❄️ Snow much gratitude for Jimmy! 😉

A HUGE thank you to Jimmy C. for donating this snowblower just in time for the snow!

Thanks to another generous donor two years ago, this makes TWO snowblowers in our fleet, helping us tackle the snow twice as fast!

Donations like these save our agency thousands of dollars each year in maintenance costs. Less time clearing snow means more time with our kids. 🩵

10/10/2026

🖐️🤍💎

As each kid transitions from our shelter to the next chapter of their journey, they leave behind something special…a handprint on our wall.

Each handprint represents a story. A life. A moment in time when their journey crossed ours. Some came to us scared, some hurting, some searching for safety, and some simply needing a place in between.

One day, this wall will be full. Full of handprints, colors, and the stories of lives we’ve had the privilege of being part of.

But our greatest hope? That with each passing year, we see fewer and fewer handprints. Not because we stop opening our door, but because fewer need to walk through it.

Until that day, we will keep showing up. Keep providing safety. Keep believing in their futures.

And long after they’ve moved on, a little piece of them will remain here with us.

Because while their time with us may be temporary, the mark they leave on our hearts is forever. 🫶🏼

10/08/2026

Some presentations hit a little closer to home. 🤍

We had the special opportunity to share the heart and mission of Fairbanks Youth Advocates with the incredible team at Design Alaska, Inc.!

This one was especially meaningful because Design Alaska isn't just a community partner, they are part of our story. From helping design the very building our youth call a safe place, to standing alongside us through the years, their impact is woven into the foundation of what we do. Literally 😉

We are especially grateful for their employees who continue to give back through United Way of the Tanana Valley.

There's something powerful about standing in front of the very people who helped turn a vision into a place of hope and sharing the stories of the lives being changed within those walls.

For the young architects in the room, it goes to show something you design today can have a lasting impact 12 years later.

Thank you, Design Alaska, for continuing to be part of our story. 💎

We had a great time kicking off our annual United Way of the Tanana Valley (UWTV) workplace campaign this week! Workplace campaigns give employees an opportunity to learn about local nonprofits, connect with causes that matter to them, and support those organizations through charitable giving. 🫶

At Design Alaska, we're proud to support employee giving by matching every employee donation dollar-for-dollar, helping those contributions go even further.

A huge thank you to the UWTV team and Fairbanks Youth Advocates (The Door) for joining us and sharing the incredible work being done in our community. Fairbanks Youth Advocates provides shelter, outreach, advocacy, and support services for youth and young adults in Interior Alaska, helping them find safety, stability, and pathways to success. They're just one of many local partner agencies supported through UWTV that work every day to strengthen our community. 👏👏👏

If your business has ever considered hosting a workplace campaign, we highly recommend connecting with UWTV. It's a simple and meaningful way to engage employees while supporting important programs throughout the Interior.

Want to help now? Whether you give a few dollars or a few hours, every contribution makes a difference. Learn more or donate at: https://www.unitedwaytananavalley.com/

Let's keep building a stronger community together. ❤️

10/02/2026

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Kiwanis Club for supporting our youth! 💙

We are so grateful to have you standing beside our kiddos. 💎

09/26/2026

At FYA, our work doesn’t stop at the doors of our shelter or within the walls of our programs. Advocacy, education, and policy work are an important part of creating lasting change for Alaska’s youth.

For years, FYA has worked to educate youth, parents, and our community about the dangers youth face in many facets. 💡

That’s why we are excited to see movement at the federal and statewide level toward creating safer opportunities for children. This is what the larger picture of prevention looks like. 📜

Direct services matter. Education matters. But so does advocating for policies and investments that address the risks facing youth and transitional youth before they ever need our shelter or services.

FYA is proud to be part of these larger conversations to bring what we learn from youth and families on the front lines into advocacy, education, and discussions that can help shape a safer Alaska for every child. 🏛️

You can also make your voice heard by staying informed, contacting your elected representatives, sharing your experiences, and advocating for policies that protect, support, and create opportunities for youth!

09/20/2026

💙Day of Caring 2026!💙
What happens when a community comes together around a shared vision? An idea becomes a project, a project becomes a partnership, and a simple question, “What can we do to help?”, creates a ripple effect.

This year’s United Way Day of Caring brought an amazing team of volunteers from Alyeska Pipeline to The Door to help transform our outdoor space into a place where youth can connect, heal and grow.

As Kayla, United Way Director, shared: “What makes this project even more fun is how it grew. When we helped coordinate the same-day gravel delivery from FS&G, they learned what it was being used for and decided to donate the material. It became this great chain reaction of people.”

“For youth who have experienced homelessness, abuse, neglect, or crisis, access to a safe and welcoming outdoor environment can be a powerful part of the healing process. Sometimes connection happens while planting something in a garden, sitting outside together, or talking around a fire. Those ordinary moments can be the difference in their future. What began as a vision has become a reality because our community showed up, and we could not be more grateful!” — Krystel, FYA Director

Thank you to United Way of the Tanana Valley, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company,FS&G Aggregate, and the Arby's Foundation for showing what Day of Caring is truly about. This space will continue making a difference long after the workday is over. 🌱

Check out the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner article here: https://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/united-way-day-of-caring-volunteers-freshen-up-outdoor-area-for-the-door/article_230e917c-75bb-4051-ae2b-8baa0edf92fc.html

09/18/2026

Thank you for blessing us with the Day of Caring!! We had a blast and couldn’t be more appreciate of everyone who made it happen ! 🩵💎

United Way of the Tanana Valley
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
FS&G Aggregate

09/18/2026

🏠 Building more than shelves!

Back in March, Davis Constructors & Engineers provided a generous donation supporting much-needed upgrades throughout the shelter!

So far, their generosity has helped us add better storage and organization in our kitchen for groceries, along with a new laundry room storage system and shelving that helps keep a busy shelter running smoothly. And we’re not done yet! Next up: custom lockers and new bunk bed steps for our kids’ rooms! 🛏️

These may sound like simple upgrades, but in a shelter that operates every day, they make a BIG difference. Organization creates more space, better routines, and a home that feels cared for.

Thank you, Davis Constructors & Engineers, for investing in our shelter and helping us create a space our youth deserve. ❤️

09/15/2026

🚧 Community in action! 💛

A huge thank you to United Way of the Tanana Valley for making a quick connection and helping us secure a load of gravel just in time for our upcoming Day of Caring with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company!

And a very special thank you to FS&G Aggregate for the generous gravel donation. 🪨💪

This is the power of our community in action. Connections = Impact. UNITED together. 💛