Providing Stability to new neighbors through family mentorship
Permanent stability is more than providing basic needs. A focus on long-term needs social and emotional wellbeing through programs like RAIS Family Mentorship provides clients the tools and resources to thrive in their new home. In FY22, RAIS helped to resettle 276 new arrivals – the majority of which arrived from Ukraine or Afghanistan. Thanks…
A Rapid Rehousing Success Story
Contributed by Michael Hollinger, Case Manager at Brother Francis Shelter “I know all these mountains just by looking at them,” my client tells me as we drive to see a potential apartment through Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA). “Where to make shelter. Where to survive.” I enjoy listening to him share about growing up in…
In the wake of the Sullivan Arena closure, our community needs empathy more than ever
Opinion article by Robin Dempsey, originally posted by Anchorage Daily News on May 2nd, 2023. Sullivan Arena has now closed its doors to most, and hundreds of our neighbors are now forced into an impossible situation, with nowhere to go. While the closure affects us all, let’s remember that for some, the stakes are much higher….
We’re moving!
Catholic Social Services is moving its main office to 4600 Debarr Road, effective late March and early April. With your help, Catholic Social Services has seen tremendous growth over the last few years in the services we’re able to provide to our neighbors in need and strengthen our community. To support this growth, we need…
Beyond ballet: music, memories, and motivation at The Nutcracker
This past December, a group of guests at Brother Francis Shelter had the opportunity to attend The Nutcracker at Atwood Hall – an event which left a lasting impression on many of those who attended. One guest in particular saw the importance of the event for his fellow guests from the very beginning. LaVont worked…
3rd Avenue Resource & Navigation Center: Where permanent stability begins
Providers and residents across our community have taken a renewed focus on the issues of housing and homelessness, working hard to meet the needs of our neighbors. Through years of experience and the collaboration between partners, we know that the answer to homelessness is complex, requiring a place to connect all levels of care. Basic…
Helping Holidays donors spread cheer in their community
On a dark, frigid morning early this December, Berta Gardner (pictured above), walked into Catholic Social Services’ main center bearing gifts, a smile, and plenty of holiday cheer! While handing her Helping Holidays gifts over to staff, Berta mentioned she was ‘very proud of her grandchildren’ for choosing to opt out of Christmas gifts and…
Thank you for making this year’s Grow Local, Give Local campaign a success
Every June, Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS) teams up with St. Francis House Food Pantry for our annual Grow Local, Give Local campaign. During Grow Local, Give Local, donors like you support the livelihoods of refugee farmers in the Fresh International Gardens (FIG) co-op by purchasing produce they’ve grown and donating it directly to…
Brother Francis Shelter will provide 40 new emergency shelter beds for our community
As colder weather arrives, our community is working to expand its emergency shelter capacity. As part of this effort, Brother Francis Shelter is adding 40 beds, bringing the maximum capacity up to 120 guests, made possible by Alcohol Tax Funding. Brother Francis Shelter will not be expanding its capacity any farther than 120 guests and…
Catholic Social Services opens new shelter in Anchorage, providing 83 new beds for homeless
Catholic Social Services accomplished a milestone on June 6 with the help of all of you and many incredible partners. Together, we added 83 new beds to the shelter system at a time when it’s most needed. Thanks to so much hard work from our team, Complex Care at 303 W. Fireweed in Anchorage opened,…