The City and Borough of Juneau is proud to announce that Jorden Nigro, director of Parks & Recreation’s Zach Gordon Youth Services division, has been recognized by the Alaska Children’s Trust as a 2025 Champion for Kids.

ACT’s annual Champion for Kids awards recognize individuals who demonstrate dedication and commitment in working to ensure that children and youth are living in safe, supportive and nurturing communities. Jorden will receive the award at a ceremony in Anchorage on Thursday, April 24.

“It’s humbling to receive this recognition from ACT,” Jorden said. “I am eternally grateful to get to do work I love with a team I love in the community I love. I hope this brings attention to the work happening in Youth Services and the commitment our team and our partners make every day to show up for young people in our community—young magical people who deserve safety, joy, love and to be seen for exactly who they are. It truly does take a village and I’m proud to be a part of this one.”

Jorden, a lifelong Southeast Alaskan, began her work with young people in 1999 at Juneau’s shelter for runaway and homeless youth. She has led Parks & Recreation’s youth services for the past decade, where her achievements include helping grow the drop-in Zach Gordon Youth Center into a full continuum of care—including prevention, intervention, and a 10-bed emergency shelter and transitional housing program, Shéiyi Xaat Hit (Spruce Root House). She also helped launch a scattered-site Rapid Rehousing program.

Most recently, Jorden has led the launch of new after-school programs in two Juneau neighborhoods, meeting children and families in the neighborhoods where they live to provide a safe, fun, and supportive environment after school.

“Jorden truly embodies the spirit of community and public service that we all strive for,” said CBJ Manager Katie Koester. “Her passion for making sure the youngest and most vulnerable in our community are safe and well cared for is evident in everything she does. We’re proud to see her work receive this well-deserved recognition.”

Learn more about ACT Champions for Kids at alaskachildrenstrust.org/champions-for-kids.

Learn more about Zach Gordon Youth Services at juneau.org/parks-recreation/zach-gordon.

Zach Gordon Youth Center is very excited to announce the launch of two new neighborhood after-school programs, starting February in Cedar Park and Geneva Woods. The programs will offer free, on-site programming for children and youth ages 6-12, meeting children and families in the neighborhoods where they live to provide a safe, fun, and supportive environment after school.

“Providing afterschool programming at Cedar Park and Geneva Woods feels like a natural expansion of our services,” said ZGYC Manager Jorden Nigro. “Our mission to connect youth and engage community is one that involves meeting folks where they’re at and with this program we will be able to do that quite literally. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to be a part of the day to day in these neighborhoods and grateful to AHFC for inviting us in.”

At each program location, children can get help with homework, have healthy snacks, and join activities such as cooking, arts & crafts, games, field trips, and more. Older siblings age 13-14 are welcome and encouraged to join as helpers and mentors, and programs will host monthly family nights.

These programs are made possible by funding from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

Programming in both neighborhoods will be offered from 2:30 – 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Cedar Park program will meet at Cedar Park Apartments Unit 2A, and the Geneva Woods program will meet at the Geneva Woods Community Center.

The programs kick off on Monday, February 3. Families are invited to learn more at open house gatherings:

• Geneva Woods: Community Center, Wednesday, January 29, 5-7 p.m.
• Cedar Park: Unit 2A, Thursday, January 30, 5-7 p.m.

For questions about the programs, contact Rachel Puckett at [email protected] or (907) 419-9152.

The Zach Gordon Youth Center will open on a shortened schedule from Monday, October 9 through Monday, November 6 while a boiler is replaced. During this time, ZGYC will be open Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will be closed on Saturdays.

Hours may be extended depending on the boiler installation process—follow ZGYC on Facebook to see the latest updates.

ZGYC will resume regular hours on Tuesday, November 7.

BAM afterschool programs will continue throughout the closure, and ZGYC staff will be available to check in with youth, provide food and other resources, and facilitate some activities.

The Shéiyi X̱aat Hit youth shelter will remain open 24 hours a day.

Follow ZGYC on Facebook to stay up to date on activities and special events and visit the ZGYC website for information about supportive services and resources.