Michael Carson spent his career working with young people in the Mat-Su Valley. He taught for 35 years in the school district and eight years at the college. Carson continues his work with youth through My House and the Youth Are Our Future initiative.
His connection to My House goes back to its early days. He had worked with Covenant House. His involvement started when Michelle Overstreet began developing what would become My House.
The need was clear. Young people in the Valley were experiencing homelessness. Some were sleeping in their cars.
My House began at Wasilla High School. Carson provided sleeping bags and other assistance to youth. The organization found a warehouse in Wasilla in 2013. They transformed it into the center called My House. It includes a coffee shop and a clothing boutique. Homeless young people can obtain clothing through vouchers and case management.
My House is preparing a major expansion. Construction is underway on the Carson Cottle Center. It sits across the street from the Wasilla Police Department on Wasilla Fishhook.
$23 million in federal appropriations help fund the project. Carson says the grand opening of the new center is expected early next year.
The facility will have 64 beds. It includes crisis, emergency, and transitional housing. It includes a program for treatment services and for victims of sex trafficking.
My House will be able to shelter youth under 18 at the Carson Cottle Center. Carson says My House has been able to house only youth over 18 at its current facilities. The new building will meet the licensing and safety requirements necessary to provide housing for youth under 18.
Carson invites everyone to the Youth Are Our Future Summit. It’s on Friday at the Glenn Massey Theater from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The theme this year is: “Make a difference, be a hero, stay drug-free.” The message continues into Red Ribbon Week later in October.
The summit focuses on drug prevention, mental health, and the changing nature of substance abuse in our youth.
Carson says the message surrounding fentanyl is particularly important. He notes that Alaska continues to deal with the effects of the opioid epidemic. Young people need to understand that illicit drugs can be contaminated with fentanyl.
The morning session of the summit looks at the history of the opioid crisis, from prescription opioids to heroin and fentanyl. Carson says the goal is to make it clear that experimentation with illicit drugs has become much more dangerous.
The summit also examines youth mental health. Carson cites the Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Its results shows significant numbers of young people report prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, and suicide attempts.
He says those numbers demonstrate the need to work further upstream. This begins in middle schools with drug education and safe places where young people can talk about stress and emotional problems.
Carson encourages parents, students, youth providers, and other community members to attend. Resource organizations will also be available at the event.
The afternoon includes a presentation on social media addiction and a panel of young people in recovery.
Carson hopes the summit will lead to action. He hopes that community members will contact school boards and state officials about improving drug education.
Carson says everyone has a role to play because, as the summit name suggests, youth are our future.
It’s election day in the cities of Palmer, Wasilla, and Houston. Polls are open until 8 p.m.
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Mike Chmielewski reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. 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 Tuesday October 6, 2026.
Image credit: My House