"Where does a person start when singing praises for Mike Sanders?

Mike wasn’t only my “boss“. He effortlessly acted as a mentor, friend, listener, teacher to me. I can’t imagine a better person with whom to build a program from the ground up. The phrase “in the trenches“ comes to mind, especially for those early days. A lot of repairing the plane while we flew it. All the while, he kept me calm and grounded without ever diluting my ideas or stifling my passion - a sign of a true mentor.
 
I still frequently seek Mike’s counsel. In my current role, I credit him for my foundational knowledge of services to the homeless. Even when he wasn’t teaching me, I was learning from him. I still pick his brain any chance I get, whether it’s project ideas for interns, how to work with folks I don’t agree with or Project Homeless Connect.
 
As a friend, Mike taught me how to ride a four wheeler and how to shoot - though not at the same time. His family showed me Die Hard for the first time. In turn, I taught him how to decorate an office.
 
Mike’s new role is perfect for him. He is a leader by example capable of seeing the big picture. He keeps a cool head during times of stress and always fights through to the end. He is fair. He listens. As a mentor, Mike trusted me and gave me freedom to face problems, try new things and create solutions. It didn’t always go smoothly. But Mike always heard me out, let me vent and gave me space to move on in my own style. Thriving on Mike’s team is just a matter of course. Fairbanks is in wonderful hands.
 
Mike, thank you for taking a chance on the VISTA program and on me. Our trust in one another as teammates kept the program going without skipping a beat. Thank you for the support over the years, for helping me make my dreams reality and for never taking any credit. Keep leading by example. I can’t wait to see what you do on your new journey!"

Best,
 
Ashton Varner
She/Her/Hers
VISTA Team Leader
​2019-2020

"During my VISTA year, Mike was respected and very much appreciated by every member of the cohort. Despite the challenges of serving during the COVID pandemic, Mike ensured the program's success in a way that was engaging for all of the VISTAs. What stands out to me the most is Mike's ability to connect with each VISTA member individually. He truly cares about each of us and worked daily to ensure we had an impactful and smooth year of service. 
 
Mike, thank you for the constant support on every new idea I threw your way, for the encouragement to fully step into my position as VISTA Leader, and for the flexibility as I explored other passions in Fairbanks! You were such an inspiring, fun, and level-headed supervisor and I learned so much working with you! 
 
Mike's energetic presence will be greatly missed in the VISTA program but we're all excited to see him thrive in his new position with the City of Fairbanks!"
 
Kenzley Defler
VISTA Team Leader
​2020-2021

"Interviews do not really prepare you for Mike Sanders. Laser focused, yet with the ability to always greet the work day with a sunny "Good morning," Mike is equal parts work and play, with a heart as big as  Alaska. One cannot help but be touched by Mike's ability to serve, keep the people he serves alongside always front and center, and still find time to help a friend move a just-killed caribou during hunting season before his next afternoon meeting. That's enviable range.

Serving alongside Mike as the current team leader since last August, we have both in that time faced our fair share of loss and grief. Through it all, he has remained unflappable, yet still willing to show real emotion. While I came to the position with more life experience and a few more AmeriCorps tours (doing both direct and indirect service) than my team leader predecessors, Mike adjusted to my skill set. I didn't so much need mentorship (!) as much as the room to once again learn to trust; of course, no amount of words can express my gratitude for the trust he has shown me in return. 

Mike, thanks for the opportunity to serve, the laughter, the debate, and the freshly caught game and fish. Your snack tab is well and truly paid in full, my friend."

Denise Lavoie
VISTA Team Leader
2021-present

Dear Mike,
 
On behalf of AmeriCorps, please accept my sincere appreciation and gratitude for your incredible work over the past 3+ years to develop and foster a successful AmeriCorps VISTA program for the Fairbanks NorthStar Borough. Thanks to your leadership and vision, interior Alaska communities now benefit each year from a cadre of VISTA members and Summer Associates tackling the communities most pressing needs in partnership with both the City and with non-profits and agencies throughout the region.
 
You, as well as the City of Fairbanks VISTA Program staff, partner sites, and members past and present should take great pride in the value of your work for your neighbors in the resilient communities of Fairbanks, Alaska.  
 
With deep gratitude for your service,
Becky Curtis
AmeriCorps Portfolio Manager, West Region

"Brittney proved to be a professional as well as personal expert in resiliency.  She was extraordinarily helpful in piecing together the many moving parts of creating a Resiliency Conference that focused on Motivational Interviewing skills.  This was an important part of improving the trauma informed care that is necessary to truly help people who have faced adverse childhood experiences and trauma.  Brittney also helped raise awareness of a valuable resource for healthy foods for people who might otherwise have trouble accessing ample fruits and vegetables.  She helped the local foodbanks’ “food is medicine” program promote their resource and helped to steer more people in need to the program.  With grace, patience, and persistence Brittney contended with the challenges of parenting, living, and working in an environment where COVID impacted transportation, childcare, and unexpected roadblocks.  We will miss her kindness and her thoughtful contributions to the healthcare team here. "

Carol Davila
Community Partnership Program Manager
​Foundation Health Partners

Dear Diana,
 
Thank you for your work with the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and Denakkanaaga.  In our year together with you we saw you apply your experience in interpretive programs, cross cultural communication, and food culture. You shared a valuable fresh perspective as we planned and developed modalities to work together. You also learned, sink or swim style, about grant writing, project management, marketing, coalition building, negotiation, videography, and exhibit creation. I'm sure I'm leaving things out, the list is long. You made beautiful bead work, ran productive meetings, and won the hearts of our staff and Elders. 
 
You have contributed to a wonderful new momentum in our cultural programming partnerships. Where we had a shuttered program, we now have an active coalition of most of Fairbanks’ Native cultural programming organizations and a reliable slate of programs happening several times a month. Where we had uncertainty about the future of Cultural Programs at the Morris Thompson Center, we now have optimism.  With your help, we are better filling an important need in this community.
 
Thanks, Diana.  You have accomplished a lot here!

Sara Harriger
Executive Director
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

Diana:

We at Denakkanaaga are so thankful you decided to venture to Alaska from Tennessee and work on cultural programming with the MTCVC, Denakkanaaga, and TCC. Our organization's collaborative efforts are now benefiting all, thanks to the work you have accomplished in the year you were with VISTA.

It still amazes me how you came on board, got a good, knowledgeable grasp of the tribes and leaders, current cultural programs within our region, and went to work.

Your work ethic and willingness to listen to and learn from our elders is to be commended.

Here's to future endeavors!

Sharon McConnell
Executive Director
Denakkanaaga

Yes, it is once again that time of year! Recruitment for summer associates is now underway here in Fairbanks. We will have 14 positions in all, across seven different sites throughout the city. If you are interested in making a difference and serving in summer in interior Alaska, now is the time to make it happen. We have listed the sites and dates on our Available Positions page, and you will need to submit an application to apply for any of the open positions at myamericorps.gov. 

Come spend your summer in Alaska's beautiful interior. You'll be richer for the service experience.
​                                                                                                                                                                               Denise