Refugee essential workers, a key part of our community
A large part of the RAIS program is education and employment services. RAIS staff works diligently to find meaningful employment for refugees. Refugees in Anchorage are often employed as essential workers and have served our community through the most challenging times. Refugees work in hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants, providing care and services. One of…
Reflecting on community support and our work at CSS
Written by Robin Dempsy, Chief Program Officer I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as we practice social distancing and hunkering down. If we haven’t met, my name is Robin Dempsey and I am the Chief Program Officer. As the Chief Program Officer, I have the privilege of working with…
Finding light and beauty in trying times
Opinion Piece by Lisa Aquino published by Catholic Anchor, April 2020 “I don’t think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that remains.”– Anne Frank Right now, this quote speaks to me. As I am writing, we are amid a pandemic. When this article is published, I don’t know if we will be…
Profound Effects of Small Deeds
Generous donors and strong partnerships make it possible for Brother Francis Shelter to facilitate programs and support volunteers that carry out our mission. These volunteers carry out programs and provide much needed services at Brother Francis Shelter. Debbie is one of these wonderful volunteers. Debbie has a background in healthcare and over 40 years’ experience…
Clare House Combats Homelessness Among Women and Children
Women and children in Alaska face homelessness every day. It’s a cruel fact the staff and volunteers at Clare House work hard to combat.
The Future Is in Your Hands
A client of Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services made a special trip to the Welcome Center to talk about her role as a Peer Leader Navigator within the Anchorage refugee community. Marie Claire sat down and pulled out a couple binders, placing them on a desk in front of her. She is a nurse from Rwanda…
Surge of Happiness
Back in November, the Development staff sat around a conference table, going over the logistics of holiday volunteering and in-kind giving. Clara, our Community Engagement Manager, had been overseeing the collection of food for families so they could make Thanksgiving dinner. She announced she had a confession. A man had called her earlier in the…
Once a Client, Now a Volunteer
Talking to our volunteer Linda is one of the most fun things you can do here at Catholic Social Services – other than helping her keep the St. Francis House Food Pantry running, which is what she does. Linda has been a dedicated volunteer for the last four years, coming in Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until…
Always a Hand to Offer
Terry is the mom of five adopted children, ages eleven to five. Actually, there are two five-year-old boys – twins – and one of them has a disability. You can tell she adores her kids. Crayon self-portraits are taped up on the sliding door, which opens to their back porch, and pages from their homework…
Your Story Matters
Every person has a story. Sometimes we don’t realize, however, that what’s happened to us – or because of us – is phenomenal or that even the mundane is meaningful. In fact, it’s actually quite common to take the events of our own lives for granted. Maybe we’re busy. Maybe we think other people have…