PCF awarded Onward & Upward a $1,975 grant to purchase CPR training mannequins and materials that will help prepare young people and community members across the Mat-Su for emergency response and everyday readiness.
Onward & Upward uses outdoor adventure, experiential learning, and community partnerships to build stronger, healthier youth and families. With more than 3,000 student-contact days per year. The organization is deeply woven into the trails, farms, schools, and service networks of our region.
With this grant, Onward & Upward is expanding their course offerings to include CPR, AED, and first aid certification as a regular part of their hands-on programming. The funding will be used to purchase a full set of training mannequins (including adult and infant models), an AED simulator, and additional CPR supplies like pocket masks and bag valve masks.
Training our community to be more proficient in CPR and basic first aid skills is a win-win. We’re building knowledge, empowering young people, and potentially saving lives in the process.
These realistic, responsive mannequins allow for high-quality practice that meets national certification standards and will be used not only by Onward & Upward students, but also shared with partner organizations like the Pioneer Ski Patrol in Hatcher Pass. Together, they expect to certify 60–70 people annually, with equipment designed to last for at least five years.
Onward & Upward’s programming prioritizes inclusion, working closely with schools and youth who need additional support or can’t afford access to outdoor or experiential education. They also ensure cultural responsiveness by using mannequins in a variety of skin tones and training staff in trauma-informed and culturally competent teaching practices.
This grant helps make critical life-saving training more accessible, more inclusive, and more embedded in our community. We’re proud to support Onward & Upward’s mission to promote One Health by connecting people to the well-being of their community, culture, and environment—one skill, and one student, at a time.