Charlie Elder House Transition
We are honored and excited to announce that as of October 15, 2018, Charlie Elder House will be transitioned to our partner, Covenant House Alaska. As partners dedicated to serving people who are vulnerable in our community, Catholic Social Services believes Covenant House Alaska will be a wonderful partner to lead Charlie Elder House –…
Stephanie’s Resilience
Just because something is cliché does not mean it’s false. Stephanie, a former AmeriCorps Homelessness Housing Coordinator, has a smile that lights up a room. It’s no wonder her clients loved working with her. Stephanie joined Catholic Social Services’ team in October 2017, serving out her year in AmeriCorps with us. Although she’s a Cordon Bleu…
Instinctual Kindess
St. Francis House is always buzzing with people. Volunteers stock the warehouse. Clients shop the food pantry. Combined, more than 150 people come into St. Francis House each day. No matter how they’re connected to the food pantry, their lives are changed. In the summer of 2018, a woman named Joy joined the volunteer crew…
Haircuts and Hope
On August 31, I had the opportunity to meet Jierum, an amazing volunteer and a client at Anchorage Community Mental Health Services. Jierum was at Brother Francis Shelter, giving haircuts to people in the shelter. He was with his friend, Ret. Judge Stephanie Rhoades, who is a Board Member of Anchorage Community Mental Health. They…
Honoring Patrick “Jack” Cooper
On June 18, 2017, Patrick “Jack” Cooper became a name people across Alaska knew. The 16-year-old boy had been hiking down Bird Ridge, after completing a mountain race. But he got separated from other people and ended up off the trail. Two hours later, searchers discovered an aggressive black bear had killed him. His family,…
National Volunteer Week 2018
Happy National Volunteer Week! We want to send out a huge thank you to the countless volunteers who spend their time, resources and skills to help make Anchorage a better place by volunteering with Catholic Social Services.
Community Partnerships
A Safety Net for Alaskans in Need Partners and supporters like you make it possible for more than 23,000 people to receive services from Catholic Social Services every year.
A Time for New Beginnings
Wright Picks Up The Pieces Wright, a 66-year-old Navy veteran and retiree, was able to support himself, but after his surgery he fell on hard times. A year ago, Wright walked around without an issue. However, problems from diabetes and habitual drinking caught up to him. His foot began to shake non-stop with throbbing pain,…
Grow North Farm-raiser
Thank you for supporting our Grow North Farm-raiser. Your support makes it possible for refugee participants to grow the Fresh International Gardens project into a stepping off point for them to create their own small farm businesses. Grow North Farm All proceeds will go towards soil to create Grow North Farm this summer. The Farm will…
Thank you St. Francis House Food Pantry Volunteers
St. Francis House Food Pantry Personal Shoppers are some of the most personable folks in our community. Thank you Kristin Helvey (of Helvey Communications) for being part of the team of volunteers at the food pantry. The Ever Growing Need Volunteers and donations are essential to operating St. Francis House Food Pantry. We depend on…