For many years, organizations who work with newcomers to Alaska have dreamed of a more coordinated one-stop location where newcomers could get connected the various services needed like employment services, housing, education and training, and transportation.

In 2023, the Municipality of Anchorage asked the Alaska Literacy Program (ALP) to coordinate a year-long project exploring the possibility of establishing a Welcome Hub for refugees, immigrants, and other new arrivals. With funding from the Anchorage Assembly, ALP partnered with Agnew::Beck Consulting, Rain Van Den Berg Consulting, and SALT to facilitate this feasibility assessment from October 2023 through September 2024.

We talked with 700 people including students, agency leaders, workers, parents, immigrants, refugees, and other community members to ask "What would you want from a New Alaskans Hub?" Their ideas directly informed the Feasibility Study Report completed in 2024.

Recommendations for a "New Alaskans Hub" include:

1. Create a paid position to coordinate the coalition and strengthen partnerships.

2. Strengthen collaboration and partnership among existing organizations by coordinating regular meetings and communication.

3. Implement pop-up service centers at accessible locations, like libraries, to gather data on needs and test how co-location can improve access and connection.