Nine Star Education & Employment Services: Empowering Alaska's Workforce
Nine Star Education & Employment Services is dedicated to developing Alaska’s workforce through quality education surrounding literacy, job readiness, and professional development for youth and adults. Nine Star extends opportunities for the Anchorage community to excel and grow. Chartered by the State of Alaska, Nine Star operates as a not-for-profit corporation with a community service orientation, offering a wide array of educational and training programs as well as organizational development and technical services locally and statewide. Staffed by experienced and enthusiastic professionals, Nine Star offers students, job seekers, and employers knowledge and support for success.
A Legacy of Service and Growth
What is now known as Nine Star Education & Employment Services was founded in 1976 by former CEO David S. Alexander and John and Linda Hulbert. Initially, Nine Star began as a broad-based training institution. Its first offices were located on the campus of the Alaska Pacific University. In 1978, then Alaska Attorney General Avrum Gross handed down the decision that Nine Star’s services were better left to the private sector. This initiated significant change and growth for the organization.
Nine Star’s growth is reflected in its budgets. From an annual budget of $665,000 in 1993, Nine Star’s current annual budget has grown to where it now stands at $7 million. Nine Star’s reputation for operating quality programs has kept pace with its financial success.
Core Programs and Services
Nine Star offers a diverse range of programs tailored to meet the educational and employment needs of Alaskans. Adult education classes, computer instruction, and work readiness workshops are some of Nine Star’s primary programs. Here's a closer look at some key initiatives:
ESL Classes
Nine Star provides ESL classes for individuals living in the Anchorage area. Classes are 8-10 weeks long and meet 4 days/week. The cost of classes is $40/session. If you live in the Anchorage area and are interested in classes, stop by our office for more detailed information.
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Regional Adult Education Program
Established in 2000 through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, this program makes it possible to offer education services (basic education, GED preparation, and English as a Second Language) to youth and adults.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (MASST Program)
Established in 2001, later renamed the Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training-MASST Program, and in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This program offers part-time subsidized employment (skills training) leading to unsubsidized employment to income-eligible seniors aged 55 or over.
Youth Education and Employment Services Program
Established in 2001 through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, this program provides assessment, skills upgrade activities, academic counseling, and career counseling to in-school and out-of-school youth needing assistance in improving their performance in an academic program, who are in an independent living status and in need of work or high school completion, or are unemployed or want to upgrade their work readiness and occupational skills. In 2013, the Youth Education and Employment Services Program (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development) added an extension in Wasilla, joining forces with another Alaska non-profit, My House.
AmeriCorps Program
In 2002, Nine Star began acting as an AmeriCorps intermediary for the express purpose of community resource sharing and holistic, wrap around services to at-risk youth, youth & adults with disabilities, families on public assistance, Alaska natives, ex-offenders (youth & adults), Alaskans whose first language is not English, refugees, low-income and unemployed youth & adults, residents of low income neighborhoods.
Work Search/Services Program
In 1997, the Work Search Program (Alaska Division of Public Assistance) was the first program operated in close conjunction with the DPA to provide preemployment and work readiness skills to public assistance recipients. The Work Search Program evolved into the Work Services Program.
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TAG Program in Fairview
In 2004, in conjunction with the “No Child Left Behind Act,” Nine Star started a program to help tutor children in third and fourth grade.
Returning Citizens’ Center (RCC)
Growing out of a need to serve Alaskans who have recently been released from incarceration, the Returning Citizens’ Center (RCC) opened its doors in 2010. The RCC provides an open-to-the-public computer lab for job search, helps with resume development, and provides daily workshops on employment. In 2013, the RCC expanded, joining forces with two Anchorage non-profits (Partners for Progress and Alaska Native Justice Center) to create a one-stop center serving individuals with backgrounds. This Partners Reentry Center helps program participants get housing.
Community Engagement and Impact
Nine Star Education & Employment Services actively engages with the Anchorage community through various initiatives and partnerships. The organization consistently works towards building a stronger community.
Celebrating Success and Recognizing Contributions
Nine Star recognizes the contributions of its staff and celebrates their successes. For example, Jessica, a former team member, was lauded for her beautiful relationships with students, her support for fellow staff, her advocacy for development and growth, her creativity, her passion for construction, and her ability to anticipate needs. Her compassion was reflected in her work, and her legacy will live on in the work she's done and the lives she's touched.
Additional Programs and Initiatives
While Nine Star primarily focuses on adult education and workforce development, they also recognize the importance of education for younger generations.
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Energy Safety and Conservation Education
Nine Star offers a fun, multi-dimensional program for fourth graders in their service territory. During the one-hour presentation, kids learn safety and energy-saving habits through an electrical simulation board, showing them how power is delivered to homes and schools. The simulator includes a meter base, breaker panel, lights, outlets, switches, and high voltage power lines. The potential danger electricity presents is simulated when a hotdog is “fried” on pseudo high-voltage power lines.
Camp Kilowatt
Camp Kilowatt is a unique camp experience for sixth grade students going into seventh grade across Indiana.
Page Day with the Indiana Senate
Participating in Page Day with the Indiana Senate teaches high school students about state government and how bills become law. Highlights include an Indiana Statehouse tour, mock bill activity, and hearing from special speakers.
Youth Power and Hope Awards
The Youth Power and Hope Awards program honors students in fifth through eighth grades who are leaders in their communities and whose parents are members of Indiana’s electric co-ops. Five winners are selected to attend a special program in their honor in Indianapolis in December.
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