Complex Care provides supportive environment for medically fragile individuals
With the help of generous funding partners, Catholic Social Services adds 83 more beds to Anchorage’s shelter capacity and helps reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community. On a sunny afternoon in Complex Care, Tommy (green jacket) sits next to the large windows in the communal kitchen, enjoying the sunshine and watching…
From Refugees to Restauranteurs: Naw Naw and Lu at The Ramen House
A decade ago, Naw Naw and Lu arrived in Anchorage from Burma, unfamiliar with the language, the culture, or the cold harsh winters. Ten years later, they’re experienced restaurant owners giving back to our community, raising their family together. In January 2011, Naw Naw and Lu landed in Anchorage for the first time, forced to…
Meet Elizabeth Chase, Program Director at RAIS
RAIS’ new program director, Elizabeth Chase has worked with RAIS for more than a decade and brings experience at every level of the program, from case management to funding to program leadership. For many years, RAIS has had two positions combined into one—RAIS Program Director and Alaska State Refugee Coordinator. With RAIS continuing to grow…
Embracing Growth: Looking Back on FY2021
Over the last year, you helped Catholic Social Services to grow, provide more programming, and blaze new trails in the services we provide, serving more than 13,000 people. New challenges for our neighbors pushed us to break new ground in the ways we serve our clients, our partners, and our community, all made possible by your commitment to…
Thank You for Your Support Through Charity Ball
This year’s 31st Annual Wilma Carr Charity Ball was an incredible success, thanks to all of our generous donors and supporters. On Saturday, May 7th, we were thrilled to join 350 supporters at The Hotel Captain Cook for a night of supporting the moms and kids at Clare House. This year’s theme was Together We…
Reflecting on the Crisis in Ukraine
The recent events in Eastern Europe weigh heavy on all our hearts. We grieve with the people of Ukraine who have lost so much, and the people of Russia, as many must now also flee their homeland. RAIS has been serving Ukrainian refugees for more than 40 years, and we continue to help Ukrainian families…
We Are Thrilled to Announce Our New Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Social Services welcomes Robin Dempsey as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective today. Robin Dempsey will be responsible for leading the agency and its seven programs with over 190 staff. Dempsey will lead Catholic Social Services in fulfilling its mission of serving those in need, strengthening individuals, and advocating for social justice. Dempsey…
At Clare House, taking care of moms and kids is a community-wide effort
Every day of the year, Meals Team volunteers make and deliver meals to Clare House for the moms and kids staying there. All of those meals and deliveries take a lot of coordinating, which is why we are so grateful for Marlana. As a pre-med student, Marlana used to regularly volunteer with Brother Francis Shelter…
Let’s talk about Food Security
Each year, people all across the country recognize Hunger Action Month to raise awareness about food insecurity across America and in our own communities, and why fighting hunger is a top priority. Hunger is hard on us Food is our most basic human need. Rich or poor, big or small, young or old, everybody’s gotta…
Announcing a new transition
Hello, I am writing to share some big news. After much reflection, I have decided to take a new position – as the CEO of Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center. It is an exciting opportunity for me to directly reconnect with my background in the healthcare field, while still serving some of the most vulnerable in…