REDES LATINAS
Redes Latinas is a digital community hub for Latin@s across Alaska. This site helps people connect to services in both Spanish and English. The site was created in 2020 in response to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This site has information about social services, immigration, and education for the Anchorage/Mat-Su region. Over time, we plan to expand to include more services in more places in Alaska.
EDUCATING, EMPOWERING AND ENGAGING ALASKA'S LATINO COMMUNITY
Enlaces mission is to empower, educate, and engage Alaska’s Latino community by acting as a catalyst for an equitable presence and voice. By collaboration with communities throughout Alaska, Enlaces works to advance social justice and equity for Latinos and Hispanics in the North.
Our advocacy focuses on empowering, educating, and engaging our community in the following areas: Civic Engagement, Education, Health & Wellness, Women Empowerment, and Culture.
Regardless of your immigration status, family or language situation, in Alaska we all have rights. Here you will find immigration resources that are free or low cost.
IMMIGRATION SUPPORT
These places can give you information, help and/or legal representation. They can help support your legal stay in the country.
IMMIGRATION ADVICE
What to think about when talking to an immigration attorney? What to do if you are stopped by authorities?
SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The law protects you and gives you legal status in the country when you have been a victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking or other crimes. There are resources and services that can help you. There are free and low-cost options for shelter, counseling, legal assistance and confidential support. You are not alone. The law and many places are on your side.
INFORMATION
Here you will find more information about Violence Against Women Act, T Visa: Immigration Relief for Survivors of Sex or Labor Trafficking, U Visa for Victims of Criminal Activity, and Refugees and Asylum.
CONSULATES
There are no consulates in Alaska for Latin American countries. These consulates can help people living in Alaska. Ask your consulate about your case.
Educational resources available to Alaskans promote personal enrichment and opportunity at every stage of life. The following information is about schools, programs, and free help to ensure a successful journey for yourself or a loved one. Alaska has education for everybody. This is a list of schools, programs, and other education for you or someone you love.
K-12 EDUCATION
Anchorage has unique schools for your child’s unique needs, no matter their age or grade level.
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
Find information about going to college, from signing up for classes to tutoring services.
ADULT EDUCATION
There is help for you to prepare for the job you want.
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA / GED
The Adult Learning Center
Nine Star Adult Education and GED Classes
They have classes to get ready for the GED, learn English, finish high school, learn new skills, and citizenship classes.
VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL TRAINING
Municipality of Anchorage Food Worker Test
Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Technical training programs in Seward. Programs include welding, information technology, construction, business, and office technology, and culinary arts.
Northern Industrial Training
Classes on things like heavy equipment, how to drive, personal finance, welding, and automotive mechanics.
RADACT (Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Training)
Training for counselors that help people suffering from alcohol drug abuse
Electrical Apprenticeship School
On the job training with federally recognized apprenticeships in the electrical industry.
Alaska Career College
Has certification and degree programs in fields like business, health, and medicine.
MetrOasis LLC Advanced Training Center & Beauty School
Education in cosmetology and esthetics. Helps students pass the Alaska State Board exam.
Trend Setters School of Beauty
Beauty school with classes in hairdressing, cosmetology.
SkyTrek Alaska Flight Training LLC
Aero Club
Aero Tech Flight Services
Charter College
Training in fields like healthcare, business, welding, and computer information systems. There are programs in Anchorage and Wasilla.
OLÉ: OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFELONG EDUCATION
This place has fun classes for adults over 50 years old.
ANCHORAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Go to a nearby library to use its computers and printers, or check out books
The Anchorage School District has a Family Welcome Center to help new students. They can help get a student enrolled, and have English language testing, and information for students and families who don’t speak English as a first language. Call 907-742-4455.
Alaska Middle College School
This program allows students to finish high school while taking college courses.
King Tech High School
High school with technical training and core academics. They also have evening classes and online classes.
Anchorage Vocational Academic Institute of Learning (AVAIL)
Alternative high school in the Anchorage School District for students who are 16-19 years old and haven’t been successful in other schools.
Student Nutrition
ASD Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application
Childcare
Kids’ Corps Inc.
Thread Alaska Online Search Tool
Use Thread Alaska’s Online Search Tool to find childcare by location or by name:
After-School Programs
Boys & Girls Club Alaska
Before and after school care for kids ages 6-18, childcare for kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, and sports programs for kids ages 6-18.
YMCA Childcare
Find out if your child’s school is a part of the YMCA’s after school program.
Campfire Alaska
Before and after school, school break, and summer childcare for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Alaska Afterschool Network
Find after school childcare near you:
Bus Routes
Find your Child’s Bus Route:
Tutoring / Resources
SLED Online Tutoring
Online tutoring for subjects like math, English, and history. Work with a live tutor or use their resources to study on your own. They can help make resumes look more professional. They also have help for math problems, test preparation, and more. All services are free.
Imagination Library Enrollment
This free program delivers brand new children’s books to your door!
Registration
How to Register at UAA
Student Aid
Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA)
University of Alaska Scholarship Application System
This list of scholarships can help you pay for college.
Tutoring
The Writing Center
Now has online services and live video appointments.
The Communication Center
Has online tutoring for public speaking. Only for those taking classes at UAA.
The Math Lab
The Math Lab can help all students and community members with math. To get help, just log in to Zoom – an open link is available now.
Equity
UAA Office of Equity and Compliance
They make sure UAA follows rules about equal opportunity, discrimination, affirmative action, and more.
TRIO Student Support Services
They help 160 students each year to be successful at UAA. Services are free.
Disability Support Services
They help support UAA students who have disabilities. They have resources for the university and the community. They help students with disabilities have equal access.
This page lists some of the social service places in Anchorage. For each place, you’ll find contact information, if there are Spanish speaking staff or translators available, and pictures of the businesses. For more information, please contact each place directly.
This page lists some of the social service places in Anchorage. For each place, you’ll find contact information, if you can get help in Spanish, and pictures to help when you visit. For more information, please contact each place directly.
Anywhere in Alaska, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221 to talk to someone about services. They can connect you with emergency food and shelter, education, alcohol and drug treatment programs, senior services, childcare, and much more. Call 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are closed for lunch from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. You can also leave a phone message, email Alaska211@ak.org, or search their website for services. Ask for an interpreter to get help in Spanish.
* During the COVID-19 pandemic, many buildings are closed. Please call or email staff before visiting. For recent information on COVID-19, please visit our Community Announcements page for the most up-to-date links and advisories.
FOOD
Here you can find information for drop-in soup kitchens, food pantries, and state supported programs. Look for hot meal calendars and pick-up locations posted online. When applying for state support, ask for a translator to get help in Spanish.
HOUSING
Here you can find help for people who are homeless or need help to stay in their homes. There are also places for people trying to escape unsafe situations or who need help with their medical or mental health. Please contact each place to get more information.
MENTAL HEALTH / MEDICAL
If you feel sick or want to check-in with a doctor, contact a medical office. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, or to get help for an addiction, contact a mental health office. Please contact each place for information about special programs and to check if they are taking new patients.
For families who have lost children, special grief care and help can be found through the TEARS Foundation and the Hospice of Anchorage.
Call 9-1-1 for emergencies
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
There is help for victims of abuse, people who work with survivors, and anyone interested in helping with education. Hotline calls, 24-hour emergency shelters and legal counsel are private and safe. Please contact each place for more information.
Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
OTHER SERVICES
Here you will be able to find other services like Child Care, Financial, Family Support, Employment, Interpretation, and Grief Support.
This page has information about current events and topics relevant to what’s happening now in Alaska.
This page is designed to have a current list of relevant events and festivals. It also has links to information relevant to issues currently impacting Latin@s in Alaska. For more information, click on each of the links below.
Learn about the student loan forgiveness plan Biden announced this year.
Joe Biden Forgives Student Loans for Low-Income and Middle-Class Borrowers
President Joe Biden announced his decision on student debt relief, canceling up to $10,000 for borrowers who make $125,000 or less annually. He also cancelled up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. To help people starting out, Biden extended the pause on repaying student loan debt through December 31st, 2022.
By canceling student debt, Biden will help lower the cost of living for young people, giving them an opportunity to save to buy a house or start a family. This is life-changing for middle-class Americans contending with inflation.
The president’s decision has been long anticipated. Student loan forgiveness would cap a series of major policy accomplishments for Biden heading into the midterms: He’s signed a tax, health care and climate package dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act as well as a semiconductor subsidy bill aimed at boosting US manufacturing.
Read more about if you qualify for student loan forgiveness, here. To get relief, you will have to submit an application to Dept. of Education.
Find out about student loan forgiveness plan directly from the White House press room by clicking here.