The Pathways Coalition works to prevent first time occurrences of the various negative health outcomes impacting Sitka. Understanding the root causes contributing to these cross- cutting issues allows partners to more effectively identify and implement solutions that prevent issues from occurring in the first place. Pathways uses both the public health approach and the Collective Impact (CI) framework to guide strategic planning and work together to affect positive change within the home, school, and community environments.
Shared Risk and Protective Factors
Pathways recognizes there are shared risk and protective factors cutting across multiple issues impacting Sitka and is working together to streamline efforts that counteract these risk factors at multiple levels. Pathways’ partners implement programs and initiatives that stretch across the socioecological model to support resilience and build protective factors within individuals, families, schools, afterschool activities, community settings, and systems and structures.
Collective Impact Framework
Collective Impact (CI) is a framework to tackle deeply entrenched and complex social problems. To achieve long lasting change, an innovative and structured approach through multi-sectoral collaboration is necessary. Sitkans Against Family Violence (SAFV) has been the backbone agency for Pathways since inception and has led the coalition through a process to establish the five conditions for a successful CI initiative. Applying the CI framework has allowed partners to take on more leadership and ownership of the work, as well as led to improved coordination, pooled resources, and better results overall. Additionally, the CI framework has created space for the coalition to more explicitly incorporate equity at all levels of our work.
Our Work
Pathways Structure
SAFV, as the backbone agency for the coalition, maintains strategic coherence while managing and coordinating the day-to-day operations and implementation of the work.
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As the steering committee, Pathways provides guidance, vision, oversight, leadership, and the process while the workgroups focus on strategies, implementation, and measuring the impact of the work. The steering committee meets annually, while the workgroups meet on a monthly basis. At least one workgroup chair needs to be part of the larger steering committee but workgroups can include members who are not part of the larger steering committee. Not everybody has to do everything. This structure is a way to spread the work out and allow individuals to determine where they can/want to plug in. To learn more, please see below.
Workgroups
Family Engagement
Formed in 2016, this workgroup aims to increase positive connections between parents/guardians and their children. The members coordinate and align efforts in order to better reach, support and strengthen families.
Communications
The Communications Workgroup formed in 2020 and works to develop internal and external communications systems to help the coalition be more connected with one another as well as increase visibility in the community.
Peer Culture
Formed in 2019 to better align and coordinate efforts to reach youth in the after school setting. This workgroup aims to increase connectedness among peers, increase adult support to youth, as well as create opportunities for youth leadership in the community.
Male Engagement
Male Engagement Workgroup - coming soon!
Goal Areas
Pathways has a comprehensive strategic plan which guides and informs the work of the coalition. This plan has been refined over the years and consists of four main goal areas: safe and supportive schools, healthy and connected families and community, youth leadership, and male engagement.
GOAL I: Schools
Sitka Schools have increased the extent to which they promote and foster healthy social-emotional environments.
GOAL III: Men & Boys
Boys and men are proactive within the community in building mutual respect and equality between men and women.
GOAL II: Youth Leadership
Youth are proactive within school and afterschool settings that support positive peer culture.
GOAL IV: Healthy Social-emotional Environments
Social service and community agencies have increased the extent to which they promote and foster healthy social-emotional environments.
Our Programming
Click the logos for more information.
Boys Run I toowú klatseen envisions boys and men possessing “strength of spirit.” Through our ten-week program for 3rd -5th graders- composed of running, discussion, and culturally based activities that honor the Southeast Traditional Tribal Values - participants will gain the skills they need to build healthy relationships and create a community of respect for self and others.
The 3rd-5th grade program, Girls on the Run, encourages girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths and celebrate connections with others. The tested curriculum blends physical activity with skill development that enables girls to adapt to whatever comes their way.
Keet Kids Run I toowú klatseen was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ten week, ten lesson, virtual program for 2nd-5th grade students of all genders is an adaptation of Boys Run I toowú klatseen. It is rooted in Southeast Alaska traditional tribal values and culture and helps build self-esteem, healthy relationship skills, and respect, while encouraging physical activity and connection.
The Pathways Family Engagement Workgroup’s goal of supporting free and fun family-related activities led to the creation of the Sheet’ká Family Challenge - a slate of free and fun family outdoor activities during the spring.
Sitkakids.com is a central information hub where parents and guardians can easily access resources and opportunities that support strong and thriving families and ensure they are connected to the Sitka community.
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The Sitka Youth Leadership Committee (SYLC) is a youth group composed of students from local middle and high schools dedicated to promoting respect and building bridges among youth in Sitka and across Alaska. Initially formed in 2009, SYLC develops members' leadership skills as they plan and implement projects, connect across differences, and play a significant role in creating a healthy, equitable community.
