The Easter Group formed as a result of the weekly educational meetings held during the Lenten Season of 2009. Focus of the ecumenical meetings was the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals [MDGs]. The MDGs were developed in 2000 by leaders from 191 nations, including the United States, as the core of a plan to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015. The eight goals are:

 

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education for children
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Create a global partnership for development.

 

On 9/27/12 the Easter Group became classified as a Public Charity and is tax exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). On 8/4/17 we added Sitka Outreach and Support: Lifeline as our doing business as name to help better describe our work.

 

Mission Statement

 

The purpose of this organization is to be a collaborative community of concerned individuals, organizations, agencies, and faith-based communities in Sitka, Alaska committed to working together to address and support the comprehensive needs of those experiencing poverty and/or homelessness in our community so as to bring about hope.

 

Officers

 

• President: Julia Smith
• Vice-President: Julie Platson
• Treasurer: Open
• Secretary: Mary Wegner

Annual Goals

 

Issue 1: Outreach and Education Regarding Homelessness

• Hold a Project Homeless Connect event annually
• Support Salvation Army in the Point in Time count
• Facilitate a Homeless Summit bi-annually on even years
• Hold a Candlelight Vigil on December 21st annually for National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day
• Provide funds to individuals in need of services
• Explore opportunities to advocate for the homeless specifically and vulnerable populations

 

Issue 2: Hunger and Nutrition

 

• Support student nutrition program requests
• Explore the possibility of working with other local service organizations regarding the development of a summer food program