Reconnecting with Alaska at ACT

A common experience for many out-of-state college students like me is feeling disconnected from the state we once lived in year-round. Particularly for Alaska, the isolation of our state acts not only as a physical barrier to coming back, but also a mental barrier that separates us from the place we first called home. 

This summer, I wanted to dedicate my time to reconnecting with my community. With Alaska Children’s Trust’s work spanning across the entire state, and the team’s dedication to a future where all Alaska children thrive, I knew my time here would be a great way to contribute to my home state. Based on my high school memories of Alaska summers, I expected a calm and serene few months. Little did I know that joining the Policy and Advocacy team at ACT would open my eyes to the complex world of politics both inside and outside Alaska. 

This internship was packed with learning. In the Policy and Advocacy team, my first few weeks were packed with federal policy advocacy, forming quick responses to constant updates. I saw the incredible importance of our state on the national field, and how our advocacy is vital to legislators who listen. I researched state legislation supported by ACT, from youth mental health to paid family and medical leave. And I witnessed the incredible strength of our local organizations who coalesce and collaborate for common missions to better our state. Alaska Children’s Trust is a small but mighty organization that truly understands the power of advocacy and community. 

Even as a Policy and Advocacy intern, ACT’s welcoming team gave me the chance to explore other branches of the organization. I gained hands-on experience drafting a grant proposal, speaking with a potential sponsor, creating policy graphics, and editing the website. 

As I head back to college, leaving my wonderful yet complicated state once again, I carry with me everything I learned at ACT. I gained practical skills in policy writing and advocacy, things that can only be experienced hands-on, and really dived into the political complexities of my home state. But even more valuable was seeing what a genuinely kind, thoughtful, and supportive team looks like, a work culture I’ll always seek in the future. 

A little bit of ACT will stay with me wherever I go. 

Thanks team! 

Best, 

Mary Kim