Passing the Torch: Welcoming Bev Levene as We Say Goodbye to Erin Moriearty

Welcome Bev Levene!

Welcome Bev Levene!

My name is Bev Levene and am excited to be joining the Alaska Children’s Trust. I grew up in Southern California where I spent my free time playing sports, spending time outside, and participating in the local all-girls robotics club. I went to college in Maine where I got my Batcheler’s in Math along with a concentration in Science Education. In college I took few education courses where I spent time helping in the local schools and working with kids, I especially enjoyed the opportunities I had working with the students outside of the classroom setting.

I got my first introduction to Alaska by working as an intern with the National Park Service at Katmai National Park. I then served two terms as an AmeriCorps member in Juneau as a Park Ranger with the US Forest Service. As a Park Ranger, I had the opportunity to do classroom field trips and led Junior Ranger Programs. Through my AmeriCorps service I acquired new skills on how to teach kids about the science that was all around them in nature, in a safe and supportive environment. This opportunity helped me develop and learn that I wanted to continue working with kids and helping them enjoy learning STEM.

After spending several years in Juneau, I moved to Nome and was the Director of Boys & Girls Club of Nome, before eventually moving to Anchorage to work for Girls Scouts of Alaska where I oversaw summer camps and programs. I have enjoyed the opportunity to be able to directly impact the kids in these programs and watch them grow and learn.

I am excited to be joining the Alaska Children’s Trust as the AmeriCorps Project Director. I am looking forward to helping provide our community organizations with AmeriCorps members who can provide high quality STEM program for the youth they are serving and to provide the opportunity for the AmeriCorps members to develop their skills and comfort teaching STEM. -Bev Levene

Thank you, Erin!

Thank you and goodbye to Erin Moriearty!

I have had the pleasure of spending just short of five years on the Alaska Afterschool Network team, partnering with afterschool programs across the state on projects ranging from coordinating the Youth Program Quality Initiative, providing technical assistance, planning Lights On Afterschool events, to placing AmeriCorps STEM Coaches. I have traveled far and wide in Alaska to visit afterschool programs for program quality assessments, provide Youth Work Methods workshops, and teach Youth Mental Health First Aid. I've watched programs grow and strengthen their quality practices through assessments and goal setting, and seen passionate youth work professionals hone their youth development skills. It has been such a special opportunity to get to know programs and people in so many communities and see firsthand the impact Alaska's afterschool programs have on youth.

As I embark on my next adventure, I look back with gratitude for all the people I've met in this Network, whether on Zoom, at the Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference, in trainings, or on site visits, and thank you for enriching the lives of the next generation. I look forward to seeing the Alaska Afterschool Network continue to support, strengthen, and advocate for out-of-school time in Alaska. -Erin Moriearty