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…
Phillip Found Hope
So many people’s homelessness begins with the death of a loved one. Cancer. Car accident. Suicide. Tragedy can strike us all. The person closest to the deceased is left reeling, and we each cope with grief differently. Phillip’s wife passed in 2010. He looks you in the eyes when he says that. She had a…
Children Are Our Future and Our Hope
Did you know November 17 is National Adoption Day? Our Pregnancy Support & Adoption Services program helps children, mothers, fathers, and families – no matter where they are in the foster care or adoption process or whether they are the biological or adoptive families. We offer a loving hand to anyone navigating these difficult decisions….
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’…
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…
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…
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,…
Clare House Play Garden
Catholic Social Services builds safe space for moms and kids at Clare House At Clare House, women with children and expectant mothers experiencing homelessness have mounting worries on their shoulders. They must work to move beyond their current situation and take care of their children’s needs at the same time.
Supporting Our Veterans
Zoe Lost Her Husband but not Her Will to Carry On Zoe and her husband were deployed to Ft. Wainwright near Fairbanks in the 90s. They moved around a bit before settling back in Alaska with their son and two daughters, now adult age.