Upcoming Community Events

The Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education is hosting two Community Forums in September.

The first is a virtual forum on September 17, and the second is a Community Forum hosted by Hope Community Resources at 570 W 53rd Ave, Anchorage on September 23. Both forums will provide opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their family members, and caregivers to share their experiences, celebrate successes, and discuss ongoing challenges faced by people with I/DD. The insights are crucial in guiding future priorities and enhancing services for the I/DD community.

View forum flyers

Every year, the International Week of Deaf People is recognized worldwide during the last full week of September. It’s a time for communities to come together to celebrate Deaf culture, promote inclusion, and raise awareness about the experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.

Starting this Saturday, September 20, we will be celebrating Deaf Awareness Week. Our Deaf Supports team—Sharon Miranda, Michael Merritt, and Judy Lange—has organized a series of exciting events to help the community learn, connect, and raise awareness. From learning ASL to connecting through shared experiences, there are so many ways to show support.

 View Deaf Awareness Week events

Save the date! The 2025 Alaska Disability and Aging Summit will be in Anchorage October 14-15. The goal of the Aging and Disability Summit is to further discuss the national and state trends regarding the aging population to include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how it relates to Alaska. Topics will include positive approach to care, building resilience, hospice care, elder abuse, elder panel, legislative panel, and more.

Registration is now open!

Register for the SummitView more information

Join us for the upcoming Community Health Fair sponsored by Alaska Health Fair and proudly hosted by Hope Community Resources. This event provides a valuable opportunity for the community to engage in proactive health management at affordable rates.

A health fair offers a variety of services designed to support overall well-being, including:

• Health education from local healthcare providers
• Free blood pressure screenings
• Affordable, high-quality blood tests

View more details and sign up

Hope is facilitating a 'Friendships and Dating' course for young adults (ages 19-26). This course will begin on October 20 and will take place over five weeks with sessions on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 7:00pm.

The session will include topics such as personal boundaries, feelings, types of relationships, communication, personal safety, sexual health, gender differences, social activities, the dating process, and more.

If you or someone you know would like to attend, please click the link below and fill out an “Interest Form.” After completing the form, one of our trainers will reach out to review details, ask questions, and confirm eligibility.

The deadline to sign up is October 10.

Submit an interest form

This October, we invite you to step into the shadows of The Phantom Soirée, a Victorian Gothic Halloween party!

Guests will be welcomed into the ballroom for an evening filled with otherworldly fun, including dancing; Costume Contests; a Wednesday Addams dance-off; live and silent auctions; carnival-style Halloween games and activities; a silent Halloween film; grab bags and raffles; photo booths to capture all the vintage costumes; hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and liquid spirits; and more!

Dress in your most hauntingly elegant costumes, with a chance to win prizes in the Costume Contest in both individual and group categories. Think vintage, Victorian, or gothic—gowns of lace and velvet, cloaks and corsets, masquerade masks. Channel the mystery of a cloaked phantom, the dark allure of a gothic vampire, the eerie charm of a fortune teller. Consider characters from The Addams Family, Hocus Pocus, Phantom of the Opera, Sleepy Hollow, Dracula, or Corpse Bride.

Get your tickets!

Hope’s Lesko Discovery Center team is preparing for their fourth annual Handmade Holiday Craft Fair!

They’re inviting artists and crafters to reserve a table and showcase their handmade creations—whether it’s hand-painted keepsakes, jewelry, ornaments, artwork, crocheted items, or other unique crafts. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, reach out to Janet Birky at 907-433-1700 or [email protected]. Each table is $35, and completed applications must be received by November 8, 2025.

View event flyer