Our History

Gastineau Human Services Corporation is a local nonprofit corporation operated by a volunteer Board of Directors. It is designed to provide low-cost community alternatives for behavioral health and rehabilitation services. GHS currently serves the community by providing behavioral health and substance use treatment, community corrections programs, and transitional housing. In 1965 local citizens in Juneau organized a task force on alcoholism and incorporated the Gastineau Council on Alcoholism in 1966.

Having persuaded Governor William A. Egan to call a Governor’s Conference on Alcoholism in 1966, the council mobilized local support for the treatment of alcoholism. The direct result was the establishment of Juneau’s first halfway house on Front and Main Street. Its operation depended on the generosity of local merchants and whatever monies the clients themselves could pay.

In 1979 the program expanded to include a home on Starr Hill to house advanced care clients. In the fall of 1983 Glacier Manor, located in the Lemon Creek area, opened its doors as a Community Residential Center (CRC) providing residential services to offenders, furloughed persons, and probationers – under the jurisdiction of the Alaska Department of Corrections (ADOC).

In 1986, the corporation changed its name to Gastineau Human Services to more accurately reflect the scope of services provided. In 2002 GHS shifted from residential substance use treatment to an outpatient setting. Established was the Juno House transitional housing program to provide safe and supportive housing for homeless individuals.

In 2023 GHS expanded two key parts of its programs. A new contract with the ADOC was entered into which added intensive outpatient substance use treatment (ASAM 2.1 LOC) as a component of the CRC program. A 19-bed residential substance use treatment program (ASAM 3.1 LOC) was also opened and branded as the behavioral health arm of the organization named as Mount Juneau Counseling & Recovery.  MJCR is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

In 2024 GHS opened a completely remodeled behavioral health treatment building with more space for the expanded programs. In the same year, the organization responded to the community need by adding 8 more beds to the residential substance use treatment program. The other substantial project GHS committed to is moving forward on building a 51-unit permanent housing project for those in recovery or coming through our CRC. The hope is to break ground in Q2 of 2025.

Throughout our history, Gastineau Human Services has developed a multi-faceted rehabilitation program that acknowledges and appreciates the fact that basic needs are interrelated and interdependent. Our programs cooperate and work together to simultaneously address issue of public safety, alcohol and other drug dependency, housing, adequate diet,  education, vocational and employment skill development, and training. GHS strives to enable clients to achieve personal growth and economic independence, gain training and employment opportunities for themselves in the workplace, and learn to take individual responsibility for the choices they make in their lives. The organization is truly committed to helping people rebuild their lives.