SAGA: Outdoor Programs in Alaska since 1986.

Who We Are- the SAGA saga

2009-09-06T00:00:00Z

Who We Are

SAGA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve lives, lands, and communities in Alaska through Service Learning. SAGA was founded

Above Picture: 2009 SAYC Southeast Swearing-In, led by Senator Egan and SAGA Executive Director Joe Parrish

in 1985 as a way to fill the void left when federal funding ended for the Youth and Young Adult Conservation Corps programs in the early 1980s. The focus of providing job training, experiential education, and leadership opportunities to young people has grown over the years into five SAGA programs: The Serve Alaska Youth Corps; the Alaska Service Corps; Young Alaskans Building Affordable Housing (YABAH); the Connections Individual Placement Program; and the Eagle Valley Center. These programs all represent our continuing dedication to helping young people make the connection between what they learn and how they live.

Please feel free to explore our web site and learn more about the great programs at SAGA. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!

Have you always wanted to explore Alaska?

Are you interested in making a difference?

SAGA has some amazing opportunities available right now!

Click here to check out our AmeriCorps service opportunities in Alaska!

Any problems or questions? Give us a call at 1-800-789-6172.

SAGA News Corner

Connections Graduation

2010-07-14T17:21:42Z

A Sad Farewell to the SAGA Connections Members

On Saturday, July 24, 2010 the SAGA staff gathered at the Hanger Ballroom to send off our Connections Members in style. Although only ten of these Members were in attendance for this graduation, a total of fifteen Members graduated this Saturday.

The Members had a chance to tell all in attendance about their time as AmeriCorps Members and the service sites they provided service to over the last six to eleven months. A bit of laughter as well as some tears were shed throughout the graduation ceremony. One Member, Niza Volair, somehow even got the group signing to celebrate their last day together.

All at SAGA would like to bid a fine farewell to all our Members including those remote Members who were not able to attend the graduation in Juneau. Thank you all for your wonderful dedication and service this year!

SAYC Crew Farewell

2010-06-10T20:50:45Z

A Sad Farewell to the SAGA SAYC Crew Members

On Thursday, August 12, 2010 the SAGA staff and families of this summer's SAYC crew members gathered at the Juneau Arts & Community Center to send off our SAYC Corps "South" crew members in style. Simultaneously, our Northern group conducted their graduation for SAYC Corps members near Indian.

Our Southeast Regional Manager, Clayton Murral, had a chance to tell all in attendance about the accomplishments of these crew members over the last two months. With over 7 miles of trail built and 3 tons of invasive weeds pulled, it is obvious that these young crew members were busy over their summer helping to improve lives, lands and communities in Alaska!

All at SAGA would like to bid farewell to all our members including those Northern members who were honored at a separate graduation near Indian. Thank you all for your wonderful dedication and service this summer!

YABAH Newsletter- Member Profile

2009-10-21T19:10:12Z

My Life Story by Ronny Bingham, YABAH member

My name is Ronny Bingham. I was born in Longview, Washington on January 31st, 1989. I grew up with just my mom and two younger sisters and a baby brother. I am the oldest. I have always been unique. When I was twelve years old my mother remarried, and that's when I started to make trouble.

I remember when I was thirteen my mom and my new stepdad went out for New Years Eve. I thought I would take my siblings for a little ride in the family mini van. Well, I drove all over the place. I got on the freeway and just drove around until the van was almost out of gas. When I pulled into the driveway to our house, I slammed on the gas and drove right through the garage door. Then I

Alaska Service Corps crew Community Action Project in Hope, AK

2009-09-24T19:05:34Z

From the September 17, 2009 edition of the Turnagain Times...

SAGA Volunteers Build Wood Shed

Young adults involved in SAGA made their way to Hope late August to build the library a wood shed. SAGA is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving communities in Alaska through service learning. Approximately eight young volunteers worked through the ins and outs of building a shed during the course of the project. Grounds for Hope provided refreshments to the volunteers and now, thanks to the volunteers’ efforts, the library has a wood shed!

NPLD Juneau

2009-09-23T20:07:20Z

Thanks to all for a successful National Public Lands Day event!


Hi everyone,

Thank you all for helping make National Public Lands Day in Juneau a success! 

42 volunteers improved approximately 700 feet of trail, moving about 10 yards
of glacier till at Dredge Lake Trail (trail improvement results courtesy
of Peter Cross). Each yard weighs about 3,000lbs! There were 4 different
work sites (Dredge Lake Trail, River Trail, and two at Morraine Lake
Trail) that volunteers worked on from 9am to 3:30pm.