CSS programs help refugees flourish with community support
Lisa DH Aquino | June 2021 | The North Star Catholic June 20th is World Refugee Day, a day celebrated internationally to honor refugees worldwide – those who have fled…
Our volunteer teachers help refugees start their new lives and prepare for the future
When a refugee first arrives in Alaska, their travels may be over, but they still have a hard journey ahead of them. Over the next several years, they will go…
Arriving in Alaska: A RAIS Friendship Story
Arriving in Alaska as a Somali refugee by way of Egypt comes with some expected shocks…namely, the weather. When Mahdi Akal was resettled in Anchorage with support from Refugee Assistance…
Anchorage leaders combine their efforts in the Healthcare and Homelessness Partnership
Homelessness is a public health issue. That’s why in April 2017 we formed the Healthcare and Homelessness Partnership, a collaboration between Catholic Social Services dedicated partners: Providence Health & Services…
Your gift helps veterans like Kamal find justice, support, and stability
Kamal grew up in a tough neighborhood in Harlem and joined the Army when he was only 17, serving in the Vietnam War as a paratrooper. Although Kamal lived and…
CSS Lenten food drive a success
Lisa DH Aquino | April 2021 | The North Star Catholic “The food is falling off the shelves.” You can imagine my delight and gratitude when our AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer…
Direct Care Providers Like Nathan Provide Help and Hope
Today we are highlighting one of our incredible Direct Care Providers at Family Disability Services: Nathan! Nathan works with Henry, his 16-year-old client and “buddy.” Henry was born with an…
Caring for High-Risk Guests at Brother Francis Shelter During COVID-19
Catholic Social Services and Brother Francis Shelter worked through a range of strategic updates to ensure that those who needed it would have access to a safe and warm place…
Small acts of kindness help make our communities better places to live
Lisa DH Aquino | February 2021 | The North Star Catholic “None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and…
Looking to 2021, Together
New Year Message | Lisa Aquino When the clock struck midnight on New Years Eve, I think each of us were filled with a sense of anticipation, hope and forward-thinking…