2022 Alaska Afterschool Champion: Representative Don Young

A true Alaskan legacy, Representative Young spent his life not just as a champion for our state, but also for our children and youth. As a long-time Co-Chair of the Congressional Afterschool Caucus, he was a staunch advocate for afterschool programs and federal child nutrition programs. He frequently joked that he started the first afterschool meal program in Alaska as a teacher in Mountain Village, AK. Representative Young would make biscuits, beard, oatmeal or other warm meals to feed the students before and after the bell rang at his school. His experience teaching and living and Mountain Village drove his years of work in Washington D.C. to ensure Alaska's kids had a safe place to go during Out-of-School times. Through his bipartisan work in congress, the Nita Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center program grew to over $1.3 billion fund.

Whether fighting to increasing access to afterschool and child care, stop child exploitation, raising awareness of teen dating violence, or supporting homeless and foster care youth, Congressman Young’s bipartisan legislation never shied away from addressing the root causes of much-needed change. Despite his many years working in D.C., there was never a question that he carried Alaska, and our kids, in his heart.