Fostering Resilience for Every Body

Prevention | Education | Support | Advocacy

Support Spotlight | What I Witness Each Week

by Anna Jajewski, MS, Adult Eating Disorders Support Group Facilitator

This story from one of our support group facilitators shows exactly what your generosity makes possible.

Each week, I watch something extraordinary happen in our Adult Eating Disorder Support Group. People from all across Alaska – and some beyond – join us virtually from living rooms, kitchen tables, and quiet corners of their homes. They arrive seeking one thing: a place where they don’t have to explain themselves. A place where healing feels possible.

The moment group begins, everything softens. Cameras switch off, microphones mute, and for a few quiet minutes we breathe together. This simple act of mindfulness – of noticing the present and letting the rest of the day fall away – opens the door to honesty, safety, and connection.

From there, the real work begins. Participants are invited to share their experiences with eating disorders and recovery. Someone may speak about a challenge they’ve faced that week; another might celebrate a small step forward – one they’re not sure “counts,” but always does. No one is required to speak, yet nearly everyone does. The group listens with deep empathy. Strangers become a community. Isolation slowly loosens its grip.

"I would not be where I am now [in my recovery] without my loving 'village'." – Support Group Attendee

For many in Alaska - with our long distances, limited local resources, and rural realities – this virtual room is the only accessible eating disorders support they have. AKEDA’s groups offer a dependable, private, and safe place to connect. Despite differing cities, backgrounds, and time zones, participants describe a strong sense of community. Week after week, familiar faces return. Over time, people share feeling less alone and more grounded in their recovery.

The dependable rhythm of our support group structure builds trust. Mindfulness encourages presence and emotional regulation, while open sharing creates connection and validation. Together, these practices cultivate something powerful: resilience, self-compassion, and the belief that recovery is possible.

---

Your Gift Makes This Possible

As we close out the year, we hope you’ll help keep this life-changing space open for every Alaskan who needs it. When you give, you ensure no one has to navigate an eating disorder alone.

Give Today