Help the Johnsons Start Fresh in Alaska

Help Us Start Our New Life in Alaska!

Hi friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers—

We’re the Johnson family: Kayleen, Spencer, Xavier (11), Lydia (8), Vincent (6), and our three rescue cats—Shadow, Jynx, and Lucky. After years of dreaming, healing, and growing together, we’re about to

take on the biggest adventure of our lives: relocating from Springville, Utah to the stunning, remote town of Cordova, Alaska!

Why Alaska? Why Now?

This dream became real when Kayleen was unexpectedly offered a new role as HR Director for the City of Cordova—a huge opportunity that gives her the chance to do work she’s passionate about, in a healthy, supportive environment. It’s not just a job move—it’s a family reset.

We’re trading in long commutes and dry mountain air for sea otters, orcas, glaciers, and a small, walkable fishing town where community matters. For Kayleen, who lives with chronic health conditions including orthostatic intolerance, the move to sea level may significantly improve her quality of life. And for Spencer, whose asthma and allergies flare in Utah’s dry climate and seasonal inversions, Cordova offers literal fresh air and a new start.

A Place Where We Can Truly Breathe

We’re also moving toward a life aligned with our values: raising kind, curious kids in a close-knit town, surrounded by natural wonder instead of strip malls, and away from the social pressures we grew up with. Our kids are so excited—Xavier can’t wait to attend science camps at the Prince William Science Center, Lydia’s already dreaming about new friends and northern lights, and even shy little Vincent lights up when we talk about the ferry ride and watching whales from our backyard.

But Here’s the Catch… Cordova, Alaska is Remote—Really Remote.

Cordova isn’t connected to the road system. To get there, we’ll be driving through Canada, taking a ferry from Whittier, and shipping our belongings over land and sea. The costs are steep:

• $6,050 – First and last month’s rent + deposit for our new apartment

• $4,300 – UHaul

• $1,500 – Lodging

• $830 – Ferry

• $540 – Passports

• Plus: gas, meals, tunnel/toll road fees, moving costs for our cats, and any unforeseen costs along the way

We’re doing everything we can to make this happen ourselves—but even with careful planning, the upfront cost (currently estimated at around $15,000) is overwhelming. We’ll be putting a lot of this on credit and living extremely frugally to recover. That’s why we’re asking for help.

Your Support = A Fresh Start

Your donation, big or small, helps us take this leap without falling into a massive financial hole. It helps us say “yes” to a healthier, happier life.

And most of all, it tells our kids that community doesn’t end at state lines—kindness travels.

We’re grateful beyond words for your support, your shares, your encouragement—and we promise to pay it forward.

With love, gratitude, and a little Alaskan spirit,

The Johnsons

(Spencer, Kayleen, Xavier, Lydia, Vincent, Shadow, Jynx, and Lucky)