Vision: Sitka is an equitable community where we hold each other up to reach our individual and collective full potential.
The Pathways to a Safer Sitka Coalition is a group of local agencies and individuals working together to create a healthier, more equitable community. We aim to reduce negative health outcomes, such as domestic violence, substance use, and suicide by building equitable, accessible, and culturally-responsive services and systems.
Lingít Aaní
The members of the Pathways to a Safer Sitka Coalition live, work, and gather on Lingít Aaní, the unceded, ancestral lands of the Lingít people. Gunalchéesh to the Lingít people for stewarding this land since time immemorial and allowing us to be here as guests in beautiful Sheet’ká.
Current Happenings
What it means to be a Káa (Man)
Have you seen our campaign messages around town and on social media? This campaign, What It Means To Be a Káa (Man), spotlights previous Boys Run I toowú klatseen (BRITK) coaches that are positive male mentors who role-model alternative, more holistic ways of being a man. The BRITK program, meant for 3rd through 5th grade boys, teaches participants that being a "strong" man means having strength in spirit (I toowú klatseen). This place-based curriculum relies on male coaches who model their masculinity authentically for a healthier generation of men and boys.
These messages, which you will find on this website, on social media, in newspapers, on the radio, at the movies, in coffee shops and at restaurants, work to counter the harmful ones that boys are getting about masculinity. It gives them a different narrative about how they can show up in the world as boys, and eventually men.
To learn more about the campaign and why this is important, CLICK HERE!
To hear stories of individuals who have questioned, pushed back, or reshaped a narrative about what it means to "be a boy", attend the next Sitka Tells Tales event, which is a collaboration between our coalition and Artchange, Inc.
Are you a teen interested in presenting to your peers about healthy and unhealthy relationships in our schools and community? Become a Peer Educator! You'll develop leadership skills while promoting respect, equity, and healthy relationships. For more information or questions, email sylcintern@gmail.com
Are you a teen interested in developing your leadership skills and promoting respect, equity, and healthy relationships in our schools and communities? If so, join the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee! SYLC is currently launching our Mold Your Masculinity campaign, developing a mental health campaign, and offering healthy relationships education in the schools and community! If you have any questions, please email sylcintern@gmail.com.
Our Work's Path
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Stepping Stones to Success
Identify the problem (e.g., community needs assessment)
Develop shared vision and goals
Identify shared risk and protective factors
Coordinate and align activities
Select shared outcomes and measures to track progress
Create theory of change
“We came together from many different agencies and roles to find common language, goals, measures, and strategies - not just once but through years of commitment. Sitka has often had the appearance of an abundance of resources for families, but in reality those concurrent and even competing programs are confusing and often short-lived. Pathways has created a more effective way to do our work, together.”
-Pathways Partner
