R.O.C.K. Mat-Su Honors Julie Hubbard with 2025 R.O.C.K. Star Award

Pictured left to right: Nikki Maidl, Julie Hubbard, Mariah Johnson
R.O.C.K. Mat-Su is proud to announce Julie Hubbard as the recipient of the 2025 R.O.C.K. Star Award, recognizing her dedication to improving the lives of children and families throughout the Mat-Su.
A consistent champion of innovative ideas and meaningful community connections, Hubbard has been deeply involved in R.O.C.K. Mat-Su’s Community Baby Showers and Child Abuse Prevention Awareness efforts. Her leadership, creative insight, and ability to foster strong community relationships have strengthened these programs and expanded their reach across the region.
Hubbard’s involvement within the R.O.C.K. Mat-Su collaborative network continues to grow through her active role in partner meetings, where she often serves as a trusted, effective co-host. Her steady presence and commitment to partnership have helped strengthen coordination among local organizations working to support children and families.
Beyond her ongoing contributions, Hubbard has been a powerful advocate for addressing foster care placement challenges in the Mat-Su. Her efforts to raise awareness about the number of children placed outside the borough—due to a shortage of local foster homes—have drawn critical attention to an urgent community need. Through her advocacy, she continues to champion solutions that support the stability and well-being of the borough’s most vulnerable children.
“We are honored to recognize Julie with this year’s R.O.C.K. Star Award,” said Jessica Clarkson, Associate Director for R.O.C.K. Mat-Su. “Her passion, commitment, and unwavering advocacy have made a meaningful difference in the lives of families across our community. We are grateful for all she has done, and continues to do, on behalf of Mat-Su children.”
R.O.C.K. Mat-Su and the Mat-Su Health Foundation extend heartfelt congratulations to Julie Hubbard on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the continued positive impact of her work in the community.
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About R.O.C.K. Mat-Su: R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Children with Kindness) Mat-Su is cross-sector collaborative of organizations, individuals, funders, and state agencies that support healthy, resilient families in Mat-Su. Utilizing the Collective Impact Framework, R.O.C.K. Mat-Su works toward a vision where all Mat-Su children are safe, healthy, and thriving. Mat-Su Health Foundation serves as the backbone organization by providing dedicated staff and infrastructure to support the work of the collective. More information is available at rockmatsu.org.
About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su, and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at healthymatsu.org.
