Healthcare and Homelessness Partnership

Anchorage — Catholic Social Services honors the groundbreaking partnership with the major Anchorage hospitals along with community and city partners who have come together to work on ending homelessness. A new space for Medical Respite and renovations to the Caring Clinic at Brother Francis Shelter will address healthcare among those in great need and the rising service costs for all Alaskans.

Healthcare & Homelessness Partnership:

  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
  • Alaska Regional Hospital
  • Providence Health & Services Alaska
  • Southcentral Foundation
  • Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center
  • Municipality of Anchorage
CSS Executive Director Lisa Aquino addresses group at dedication gathering.
CSS Executive Director Lisa Aquino addresses group at dedication gathering.

“Over a year ago our board adopted the strategic focus of preventing and ending homelessness in our community, and this is a critical piece if we’re going to end homelessness in our community. There is still more work to do, but a strong partnership like this gives us a step forward in solving the problem because everyone is at the table,” says Lisa Aquino, CSS Executive Director.

CSS dedicates space for Medical Respite; Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, First Lady Donna Walker, DHSS Commissioner Valerie Davidson were present.
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, First Lady Donna Walker, DHSS Commissioner Valerie Davidson present as CSS dedicates space for Medical Respite.

Initial data from our pilot Medical Respite program shows that approximately 80% of individuals involved in the program did not return to homelessness after staying in respite. The program will offer 10 beds for medically fragile individuals to recuperate from an acute illness or injury. Providence Health & Services Alaska will provide skilled home care services to BFS patient-guests.

The Caring Clinic for basic medical care has been run by volunteers at Brother Francis Shelter for over 30 years, with medical professionals providing basic healthcare needs for guests on their own time. Southcentral Foundation is working in partnership with CSS to expand hours at the Clinic and support a healthcare provider regularly for all clients at Brother Francis Shelter.

Brother Francis Shelter Expanded Caring Clinic
Brother Francis Shelter Expanded Caring Clinic

Finally, the expanded Caring Clinic would make it easier and more accessible for guests at Brother Francis Shelter to seek medical treatment, but for appointments that must be conducted at the hospital—like x-rays and other exams—we are looking to have transportation available.

The design, construction, and high-grade renovations for both the Medical Respite program and the Caring Clinic were provided at no cost to Brother Francis Shelter. “The volume of work that went into the clinic space and the respite program workspace is beyond anything expected, and we are grateful for the tremendous amount of time and resources that went into this project,” says Lisa Aquino.

Brother Francis Shelter Medical Respite

Providence Health & Services Alaska
Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc.

Architects Alaska
Cook Inlet Housing Authority
Other generous donors

  • Alcan Electrical & Engineering, Inc.
  • Allen and Petersen
  • CDW-G
  • Capital Office
  • Commercial Contractors, Inc.
  • General Mechanical, Inc.
  • Mechanical Construction & Consulting, Inc.
  • RSA Engineering, Inc.
  • Summit Windows and Doors, Inc.
  • West Coast Paper

Brother Francis Shelter Caring Clinic

Southcentral Foundation
Neeser Construction, Inc.
Spark Design, LLC
Cook Inlet Housing Authority

Other generous donors

  • Alaska Air Balancing Company
  • Alaska Architectural Lighting, Inc.
  • Alaskan Industries, Inc.
  • Alaska Quality Fire Protection
  • Alpine Concrete Cutting & Coring
  • General Mechanical, Inc.
  • Gensco, Inc.
  • GTS Interior Supply
  • Inlet Painting & Drywall, Inc.
  • K-Factor Insulation
  • Last Frontier Mechanical, LLC
  • MegaWatt Electric, LLC
  • Municipality Of Anchorage, Wellness On Wheels
  • RBA Engineers, Inc.
  • Schneider Structural Engineers
  • Stusser Electric Company

Catholic Social Services’ Brother Francis Shelter (established 1982) provides temporary, emergency shelter for men and women, an evening meal, use of shower and laundry facilities, case management services, advocacy, job readiness, and referrals for employment, permanent housing, mental health issues, and treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse. During FY 2016, Brother Francis Shelter provided 96,498 nights of stay and served 77,636 dinners to 3,688 men and women without a home. Among guests using comprehensive case management services, 39% moved into permanent housing.

This project is possible thanks to the support from Alaskans like you. This partnership would not have come to fruition without a supportive community that prioritizes addressing homelessness in Alaska.

GET INVOLVED

2 comments on “New Space for Medical Recovery at Brother Francis Shelter”

  1. 1
    Mary Crosby on August 22, 2017

    How can I volunteer?

    1. 2
      Russ Slaten on November 1, 2017

      Mary, please visit our Volunteer page here, seek out the volunteer work that interests you most, and complete a volunteer form on our website. Thank you!
      https://www.cssalaska.org/get-involved/volunteer

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