History

1983

Authorized by CIRI to work on the behalf of the area's Native population, a small staff worked on matters of incorporation for tax-exempt status, building relationships with clientele and community organizations. The fledgling organization concentrated primarily on employment and referral services for its client base.

1988

By 1988, CITC was operating programs that continue to this day, expanding its focus from employment referral to training and education. The community services department administered the most programs ranging from adult vocational training to village agriculture projects, higher education awards and energy assistance. The Native Alcoholism program was established and evolved into a comprehensive in-patient program for Alaska Natives suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. The Johnson O'Malley program began to serve Alaska Natives and American Indians within the Anchorage school district.

1993

In 1993, CITC celebrated 10 years of service to the Alaska Natives and the Native American population of the Cook Inlet region. The organization was divided into five departments:

• Alaska Native Alcoholism Recovery Center consisted of a comprehensive program designed to address drug and alcohol addiction. Inpatient and outpatient services were delivered at two separate locations.
• Alaska Native Educational & Technical Assistance Center (ANETAC) provided technical assistance in Alaska, including Native organizations and parent committees.
• The Community Service department remained CITC's largest working in conjunction with government agencies to provide job training and higher education assistance and summer employment opportunities for Native youth.
• The Family Services department represented CITC's recognition that our constituency includes Alaska Natives of all ages. Family Services provided childcare subsidies, meals for elders, intensive Indian child welfare casework and a general assistance fund for emergency aid.
• The Johnson O'Malley program added summer programs for students of all ages.

1997

• Transitional services were created to provide welfare-to-work case management services to the Bridge to Success program.
• ANARC became the Ernie Tuner Center and moved its programs into a new facility.

1998

• Shared Services provided centralized accounting and computing to CIRI non-profits.
• Family Services continued to support Alaska Native families, children and individuals.
• The Education Department housed the Johnson O'Malley program and various others including the Cook Inlet Tribal Education Center, which, in conjunction with the University of Alaska Anchorage, targeted young people and teachers.
• Teamed with local businesses, Transitional Services (now the employment and training department) opened the CoHo Cup Café, an innovative employment experience for CITC consumers.
• The summer youth camp in Ninilchik began in partnership with CIRI.

2005

Today, CITC remains a major provider to critical services for Alaska Native and Native Americans in the Cook Inlet region. Some names have changed, but our commitment is still steadfast.

• Alaska's People was merged into CITC from another non-profit organization to complement our continuum of care. Alaska's People has placed more than 7,000 Native and non-Native workers at no cost to either employer or employee. Services include employment placement referral, career counseling and more.
• Educational Services System is a network of programs committed to providing student support services that are consistent cultural and learning styles of Alaska Native and Native American students. Today this department includes Youth Services as well as Partners for Success, a system of academic support services for middle and high school students in the Anchorage school district.
• Employment and Training Services houses long-standing CITC programs. This department assists those transitioning from dependency to self-sufficiency. Each program concentrates on empowering participants to achieve their endless potential.
• The Family services department envisions safe, secure and healthy Native families who can nurture future generations of Alaska Natives. To this end Family Services provides an array of clinical, community and child welfare programs. The department enjoys a collaborative relationship with Alaska Division of Family and Youth Services.
• Recovery Services has served as a model for the entire organization's continuing efforts to implement a system of care philosophy that emphasizes holistic treatment among Alaska Natives and Native Americans.
• Youth Opportunity is a five-year program that provides youth, ages 14-21, with a variety of employment, education and youth development services. CITC is the only national grant recipient that provides statewide services to 41 youth opportunity Centers serving 40 villages and small communities.
• Shared Services, now partners with the Foraker group of Anchorage, provides accounting and technology services to more than 30 Alaska non-profits reducing administrative costs and demonstrating CITC's commitment to the greater community.