26JJ-CPM_Working-Skeleton-Layout_20260406-NT - Flipbook - Page 48
By Melissa Nelson de Valcourt
:
here are places in a community that
quietly hold everything together. Not with
headlines or fanfare, but with consistency,
care, and a commitment to showing up day
after day for the people who need it most.
Anchorage Children’s Home is one of those
places.
T
For decades, this local nonpro昀椀t has provided
safety, stability, and support to some of the
most vulnerable youth in our area—children
and teens navigating abuse, homelessness,
and uncertainty. Through residential
programs, counseling outreach, and case
management services, Anchorage meets
these kids exactly where they are, offering
not just shelter, but a path forward.
At the heart of that mission is Brooke
Bullard, Development Director, who is
marking 19 years of service this month.
“It is absolutely my heart,” Bullard shares.
“I feel like teenagers are often forgotten at
times, and the trauma they’ve endured—the
cycle of abuse and homelessness—it’s our
responsibility to make sure they understand
they’re not forgotten. Their situation right
now should not de昀椀ne their future.”
That belief is woven into every program
Anchorage’s Bridge Transitional Living
Program serves homeless youth ages 16 to
21, offering an 18-month window of stability—
time to 昀椀nish school, 昀椀nd employment, and
begin building an independent life. Right
now, the program is at full capacity, with a
48 | COASTALPOLITAN
Brooke Bullard
Development Director
waiting list, and recently, it lost a key federal
grant.
Instead of scaling back, Anchorage made a
different decision: keep the program running.
“We are self-funding through community
support and private donations,” Bullard
explains. “We’re not in the business of
evicting. We want to make sure they have
that safety and stability permanently in their
life so they can thrive.”
It’s a powerful statement—and one that
comes with real urgency. These are students
graduating from local high schools, working
jobs, and trying to create a future for
themselves, often without a stable place
to call home. The need is closer than many
realize.
Referrals come from a wide network: the
Department of Children and Families, local
schools, law enforcement, and even the teens
themselves. Guidance counselors, teachers,
and administrators often recognize when a
student is struggling—when “home” might
mean couch sur昀椀ng, staying with friends, or
not having a place at all.
Anchorage steps in during those moments,
offering not just a place to stay, but structure,
support, and the ability for these students to
refocus on their goals.
