Elders Outreach

The Elders Outreach Program serves lunch at noon out of the Subsistence Building every Monday.

This includes NTC HOLIDAYS that the main office, clinic and health club may be closed for, however, the luncheon is still provided on those holidays.

As a friendly reminder, the luncheon exists to serve as a social space for Enrolled Tribal Elders to gather, share & visit. Elders are encouraged if they’d like to bring a guest, family or be accompanied by a caregiver to do so, there is a suggested donation box at the back for this purpose. While it is a provided luncheon for Tribal Elders to attend, it also serves many homebound Elders who cannot drive or have other needs that prevent them from attending. “This luncheon is for the enrolled Tribal Elders and we ask all those who attend to be mindful of others who are not present that depend and look forward to luncheons being delivered to their homes.”

This is a key function of the Elders Outreach Program. It embodies the essential one-on-one needs of our Elders. This program is set in place to help assess home health, home safety, prevent isolation and assess whether more needs must be met to help Elders live independently. The program also gives relief by providing options of personal respite and offers individual time for questions and concerns. These visits are available for home, hospital, nursing home and assisted living homes.

This is to provide a sense of independence while cultivating community and personal needs. This service is available at any time for any Elder based on functionality. Should you need someone to take you to an appointment, assist you with grocery shopping, pick up medications, this would be the time to call. Our program has set up a dependable vehicle that can be utilized for these purposes. We do however ask that those seeking these services give at least 24-48 hours advance notice. You will receive a returned confirmation call.

The Elders Outreach Program welcomes Tribal Elders interest in day trips, travel, local and historical excursions, to share some social space with one another while seeing the changes that have taken place on the Kenai Peninsula. If you are interested in attending events such as NYO, AFN, Historical events or cultural/traditional events offered around the Peninsula, more than likely others are as well- just call or email me and I will be happy to suggest how we can attend these events collectively. 

My office is open and welcomes your input to make this program grow and thrive, we have hosted teaching classes on Perok, net mending, building nets, canning jams and jellies as well offering the space and ability to learn how to butcher moose, salmon and other relevant foods. If you have a local, cultural or traditional talent and would like to offer a class to share your craft, please let me know anytime.

Other classes and competitions we have supported include Kulich, Akutaq, Perok, Knot Classes, Net Mending, Pickled Fish (the salting process, how to preserve and then the pickling process), Balik (the striping, knot tying techniques, brining, hanging and smoking process), Jelly and Jam (particularly high bush and low bush cranberries and Fireweed).We encourage active participation from the youth and strongly urge Elders to come offer their experience, advice, knowledge and techniques for all these activities. If you have a cultural or traditional skill, please call or email. We look forward to the Elders sharing a bit of their time and knowledge with us!

This program is to offer information and assistance in achieving the best possible care for our Elders, to give families and Elders a chance to gain local and out of state research options for future health or financial issues. Our program should reassure you that we also advocate for our Elders and you are not alone in maintaining justification for your loved one.
*Information available upon communication
*Counseling referral options available
*Research and visits based on Elder’s needs

As always, my office is open and other than providing luncheons, I help those who need prescription pickups, rides for groceries and local rides to and from the clinic or post office. Should you need this, please call to schedule. I also help with paperwork that can be daunting or sometimes seem excessive seeing as how many times State and government forms need repetitive filing, if this is something you need or maybe you want greater assistance, I am able to help with references for those requests as well. Connecting you to the right resources is the goal. Let me know if you have questions or are needing some help.