The Woman Who Greets You
Rachel welcomes everyone who comes in the doors of Catholic Social Services’ main location. If you don’t know her name, you should. You’ll definitely know her face. She’s got a big smile and bright eyes. You can tell Rachel is kind-hearted and humble when you talk to her as she sits behind the front desk in…
We Are the Kindness
Annette gave her bike to an Alaskan completing her first Ironman-length triathlon, Tiffany. It seemed that a series of unfortunate events would keep both women from finishing their races. But Annette’s act of kindness helped Tiffany finish. So far their story has touched more than 25,000 people in 13 countries. Read the Anchorage Daily News’…
Remembering the Tree of Life Synagogue
In the last few days, I have been mourning the loss of life at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Honestly, I cannot stop thinking about the loss of those individuals, practicing their faith, living their beliefs peacefully and then being killed for that belief. As people of faith, to see any sacred practice…
Thank You, Wells Fargo!
Today, we received $100,000 from Wells Fargo. We are grateful to have been selected as one of the 50 nonprofits Wells Fargo chose as recipients of their Housing Foundation’s Priority Markets Program. Because of Wells Fargo’s generous support along with the generous support of Weidner Apartment Homes, The Rasmuson Foundation, and Cook Inlet Housing Authority,…
Medical Respite Gets People Back on Their Feet
Medical Respite is a wing in Brother Francis Shelter that has five rooms. Each room stays full. Between April 1 and July 31, 2018, occupancy in Medical Respite was 94%. The small percent of vacancy reflects the time required to clean the room for the next guest and transition the guests there. Each room has…
Changing Her Future
Walking into a shelter for the first time can be intimidating. At Clare House, our case managers make it easier, though. They connect clients to services and help hem navigate the path moving forward. One of the best things our case managers offer is employment assistance. They work with clients to find jobs that enable…
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…