A Family Inspired: Raise Spans Beyond Academics

By Technical Writer Uinita Mauigoa

Siblings, formerly part of the Raise Program, (from left to right) Bryce Mann, Chenelle Mann, Brock Mann, Cheyenne Mann, and Wil Everett work at SCF.

Family and community are values deeply woven into the tapestry of Alaska Native and American Indian cultures. Elders keep cultural knowledge alive while children carry it into future generations, perpetuating prosperity of the people.

With vision spanning far beyond academics and skills, Southcentral Foundation’s Raise Program shares many aspects of Alaska Native and American Indian cultures such as values, ways of knowing and communicating, and descendance. As interns from diverse backgrounds come together, they learn the importance of building connections, relationships, and communities. A family of siblings who all work for SCF bring to life what this looks like: Wil Everett, Cheyenne Mann, Chenelle Mann, Bryce Mann, and Brock Mann.

Formerly Raise participants, all five siblings expressed that the program provided an enriching, nourishing environment, inspiring them to pursue careers at SCF. The siblings have American Indian heritage from the Ramapough Lenape Nation in New Jersey and the Tohono O’odham Nation Tribe in Arizona. Tohono O’odham means, “desert people.”

Cheyenne, supervisor at Anchorage Native Primary Care 2 West, shared that as a Raise intern during 2012-2015, her favorite aspect was being introduced to the health care field while making cultural connections. She formed many lasting connections during Skills Friday and the retreat to Spirit Lake.
“I chose to work for SCF to join a team that places value on relationships, as well as the voice of the customer-owner,” Cheyenne shared.

Cheyenne created an inspiring ripple effect among her siblings who all joined Raise.

Chenelle, supervisor for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Exercise, graduated from Raise after participating from 2013-2016 and echoed her sister’s sentiments of the importance of learning cultural values. During her time as an intern, she gained supportive relationships with employees and experienced many opportunities for growth, inspiring her to build a career with SCF.

Wil, manager for Pediatrics Outpatient Services, shared that a career at SCF was an easy choice after learning the way SCF invested in its future and employees. He recalled time as a Raise supervisor for the summers of 2013-2016 and how it was much more than work.

“I was able to guide and support a group of Alaska Native and American Indian youth at a critical point in life, as they were learning who they are and what they wanted to be,” Wil said.

After seeing how much his siblings enjoyed their time with Raise, Bryce, administrative support for Child and Family Developmental Services, shared that he joined the program as an intern from 2015-2019.

Bryce learned about and gained an appreciation for the many different Alaska Native and American Indian cultures and the similarities that weave everyone together.

“Joining SCF was ultimately to support our Native Community in different ways,” Bryce shared.

The same seeds of the values of culture and community were planted within Brock, administrative support for Anchorage Native Primary Care 1 West, who joined Raise as an intern 2017-2019 and 2021.

Brock’s face lit up as he described the confidence he gained as an American Indian youth participating in Raise and following his siblings’ footsteps. He shared that he decided to pursue a career at SCF to serve the most important aspect he learned at Raise: Community.

This family will be expanding its legacy as sister, Shayna Everett, a nurse in New York City, plans to return to pursue her career with SCF. Shayna shared that of all companies she worked for, SCF by far exceeds in putting the customer-owner first without sacrificing employee needs. She served as a leader for Raise from 2013-2016 and was inspired to attain a second degree as the program also emphasized mental health and culture, not just academics.

The Raise Program encourages alumni to stay connected through the Raise Facebook page, emailing, or calling. There is an event for Raise alumni, Feb. 23, 1-3 p.m. on campus where alumni can share story to continue inspiring future generations. All former Raise interns can RSVP to Lauryn Baldwin at lbaldwin@southcentralfoundation.com. Applications for Raise winter internship open until Jan.31, summer internship opens February 2024.

To learn more about Southcentral Foundation’s Raise Program, call (907) 729-5015 or visit the Raise Program page.