The AK Nurtured Living Story
The Brief Version
By Kelly Macon
How it all began and where we are now!
My Mom Wendy and bonus Dad Joel Davisson ran a girls ranch in Cherokee, California for about 18 years. It was a last stop home for teen girls who had been incarcerated or who were headed towards being incarcerated.
I worked at that home each summer for many many years. My children and I would leave as soon as school was out and head to California for the summer on the ranch! It was an amazing place!
At the time my “real job” was a special education teacher, teacher consultant and eventually an administrator of behavioral interventions for a separate day school program for the Anchorage School District.
In about 2005 my folks moved to AK and opened a group home. They initially provided a home for young men experiencing behavioral challenges and then moved into group home care for clients on IDD waiver.
In 2015 they decided to retire and move to AZ. That’s when AK Nurtured Living was born! Joe Macon and I retired from the school district with the intention of taking over my folks group home in Palmer AK. When we took over the home, we were contractors for HAHOC.
In 2018ish new regulations were adopted regarding group homes and being contractors. We learned then that we needed to open our own agency or do something different in terms of how we provided services. So, we opened AK Nurtured Living!!
Since that time we have grown a bit! We now have four group homes in three locations. We have our original Palmer house, a Wasilla duplex that is licensed on both sides and most recently we have opened a home in Eagle River and additionally an Activity Center in Wasilla.
We currently provide service for about 16 amazing individuals through our group homes. We have about 20 other individuals that we are honored to provide Day Hab, Supported Living, In-Home, and Respite services for.
We currently have approximately 40 staff. We believe in Professional Development. We believe in competitive wages. We believe in offering benefits in ways that we can. We currently offer a 401K with matching funds. We are working towards the possibility of offering other benefits.
We are looking towards the future and possibilities and adventures and all we can offer to our community as we grow and learn together!
The vision behind AK Nurtured Living
Empowering our community to create a nurturing environment consisting of:
Physically and emotionally safe spaces where each person’s individual needs are met. Where each person is valued and appreciated for their strengths and differences.
An environment that teaches, promotes, and richly reinforces prosocial skills that include self regulation. Where individuals learn the skills they need to be productive citizens in their home and community. A community that provides the structures and supports that limit the need for challenging behaviors.
An environment where self care, mental and spiritual wellness are valued. Where everyone can be assured that “everyday is a new day” with the ability for a fresh start. A space where a crisis becomes an opportunity for growth.
An environment where each person experiences the feelings of belonging, generosity, and inter-independence. Where joyous events are built into everyday. A place where collaboration is encouraged and valued.
A place where we are passionate and committed to our vision.