It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Wednesday February 18, 2026.
Daybreak Executive Director Polly Beth Odom reflected on the history, growth, and work of the nonprofit she has served for 38 years in an interview on Big Cabbage Radio. Odom began working at Daybreak Apartments in 1988. She had just graduated from UAA with a degree in social work.
Daybreak operated as a mission of Alaska Housing Ministries under the leadership of founding board member Howard Bess and executive director Pat DeRoche. Bill Aube became executive director soon after Odom was hired. Aube and Odom shaped the organization’s direction.
Daybreak Apartments was established in 1987 on Hemmer Road. It was located just outside Palmer city limits. This allowed flexibility while remaining close to services.
The 19-unit building with a manager’s apartment enabled 24-hour case management. Housing for adults with long-term mental health conditions was a new concept. It took time to fill all the units. Eventually, the building maintained full occupancy.
Collaboration was central to Daybreak’s success. Partnerships with the Alaska State Troopers and what was then Mat-Su Behavioral Health allowed psychiatric professionals to meet residents on site during crises. This often prevented hospitalization at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage.
Around 2000, Daybreak leadership recognized the conflict between serving as both landlord and mental health case manager. They sold the property to Valley Residential Services. It is now known as Garden View. Daybreak continues to support the clients who live there.
Daybreak has shifted from a housing-based model to a community-based case management approach. It embraces the philosophy of bringing services to people rather than requiring them to come to a central facility. Daybreak provides mental health case management in homes and community settings. It helps clients access benefits, medical care, and behavioral health services while supporting long-term recovery.
Daybreak partners with therapeutic courts in Palmer. It provides case management for individuals who qualify for alternative sentencing programs. This includes those with mental health diagnoses, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders. Daybreak addresses service gaps in treatment, identification documents, or housing. This reduces recidivism and supports rehabilitation.
Daybreak created the Palmer Navigation Center in 2022 in response to community concerns about homelessness. The center serves as a low-barrier access point for services at its downtown Palmer site.
Staff conduct needs assessments. They provide practical assistance such as shower and laundry vouchers. They help with obtaining identification documents, completing housing applications, and connecting individuals to community resources. The Navigation Center has served about 700 people since opening in 2023.
Daybreak operates the Basic Housing Assistance Program, Community Reentry services, and a Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury (TABI) Program.
Funding comes from grants through the Mat-Su Health Foundation, State Divisions of Behavioral Health and Senior and Disability Services, and Medicaid fee-for-service programs.
Daybreak hosts the annual Palmer Community Resource Day. It has grown from 14 participating agencies to over 28. The event fosters collaboration and public awareness. It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Palmer Depot.
Odom notes that homelessness in Palmer remains roughly status quo compared to three years ago. She emphasizes the importance of trust, self-determination, and long-term relationship-building with individuals experiencing homelessness.
She highlights limited affordable housing as a major barrier. Odom serves as a member of a new community housing panel. She hopes for strategic, collaborative solutions to homelessness. These might include small homes or expanded housing options to better serve vulnerable residents in the coming years.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
This Page Two article was written by Mike Chmielewski and read by Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday February 18, 2026.
It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Wednesday February 18, 2026.
Daybreak Executive Director Polly Beth Odom reflected on the history, growth, and work of the nonprofit she has served for 38 years in an interview on Big Cabbage Radio. Odom began working at Daybreak Apartments in 1988. She had just graduated from UAA with a degree in social work.
Daybreak operated as a mission of Alaska Housing Ministries under the leadership of founding board member Howard Bess and executive director Pat DeRoche. Bill Aube became executive director soon after Odom was hired. Aube and Odom shaped the organization’s direction.
Daybreak Apartments was established in 1987 on Hemmer Road. It was located just outside Palmer city limits. This allowed flexibility while remaining close to services.
The 19-unit building with a manager’s apartment enabled 24-hour case management. Housing for adults with long-term mental health conditions was a new concept. It took time to fill all the units. Eventually, the building maintained full occupancy.
Collaboration was central to Daybreak’s success. Partnerships with the Alaska State Troopers and what was then Mat-Su Behavioral Health allowed psychiatric professionals to meet residents on site during crises. This often prevented hospitalization at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage.
Around 2000, Daybreak leadership recognized the conflict between serving as both landlord and mental health case manager. They sold the property to Valley Residential Services. It is now known as Garden View. Daybreak continues to support the clients who live there.
Daybreak has shifted from a housing-based model to a community-based case management approach. It embraces the philosophy of bringing services to people rather than requiring them to come to a central facility. Daybreak provides mental health case management in homes and community settings. It helps clients access benefits, medical care, and behavioral health services while supporting long-term recovery.
Daybreak partners with therapeutic courts in Palmer. It provides case management for individuals who qualify for alternative sentencing programs. This includes those with mental health diagnoses, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders. Daybreak addresses service gaps in treatment, identification documents, or housing. This reduces recidivism and supports rehabilitation.
Daybreak created the Palmer Navigation Center in 2022 in response to community concerns about homelessness. The center serves as a low-barrier access point for services at its downtown Palmer site.
Staff conduct needs assessments. They provide practical assistance such as shower and laundry vouchers. They help with obtaining identification documents, completing housing applications, and connecting individuals to community resources. The Navigation Center has served about 700 people since opening in 2023.
Daybreak operates the Basic Housing Assistance Program, Community Reentry services, and a Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury (TABI) Program.
Funding comes from grants through the Mat-Su Health Foundation, State Divisions of Behavioral Health and Senior and Disability Services, and Medicaid fee-for-service programs.
Daybreak hosts the annual Palmer Community Resource Day. It has grown from 14 participating agencies to over 28. The event fosters collaboration and public awareness. It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Palmer Depot.
Odom notes that homelessness in Palmer remains roughly status quo compared to three years ago. She emphasizes the importance of trust, self-determination, and long-term relationship-building with individuals experiencing homelessness.
She highlights limited affordable housing as a major barrier. Odom serves as a member of a new community housing panel. She hopes for strategic, collaborative solutions to homelessness. These might include small homes or expanded housing options to better serve vulnerable residents in the coming years.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Please support Page 2 News. Donate today.
This Page Two article was written by Mike Chmielewski and read by Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday February 18, 2026.