The foster care system is a huge challenge. Each year thousands of Alaska’s children are placed in out-of-home care, according to the Alaska Office of Children’s Services. On average approximately 3,000 children are in foster care in Alaska each month. Children often enter the foster care system because they have been determined to be unsafe or at high risk of maltreatment in their family home.
This summer our community saw the impact of homelessness more than ever. There seemed to be more camps on our trails, more people on street corners and in parking lots asking for help, and more stories in the media talking about the incredible challenges.
Hunger is an issue about which we, as a community, feel passionately. It is why Catholic Social Services began initially, to help ensure our neighbors had enough food to feed themselves and their family.
Charlie Elder House is a residential home for homeless, teenage boys. In the home boys learn to live independently, achieve academic success, maintain positive relationships and contribute to the community.
At times I feel like the darkness of events around us is overshadowing the light. Last month there was another horrible mass shooting that killed more than 49 people and injured another 53 in Orlando, Florida. Yet another national and international tragedy has befallen us. More families suffering and lives lost.
Many people who seek our services, in short or long term crisis, come through our doors because they have not found connection and support in other parts of their lives. We have many services built around personal connections aimed at creating a stable base for a hopeful future.
Starting as a small food pantry on 3rd Avenue, we have at our root addressing family struggling with poverty and homelessness in Anchorage. Last month Effie Caldarola wrote a wonderful piece in this paper chronicling the history of Catholic Social Services.
Two years ago, Catholic Social Services transitioned from a traditional service model at Clare House to the trauma-informed care model, one that realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery. This new model also seeks to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff and others involved with the system, and it responds by integrating knowledge of trauma into policies, procedures and practices.
A movement is afoot in Anchorage as homelessness and the those experiencing it are increasingly on our minds. It could be because their numbers are higher or that they’re more visible, but it feels like more than that. It feels like people are noticing; people are concerned and standing up to say, “This must change!”
Archbishop Hurley was personally vested in reaching those experiencing homelessness, single-parent families, families who experience disabilities, young adults and refugees. Many guests at Brother Francis Shelter or other of our services, met and spent time with Archbishop Hurley. They recount his kindness and humor. Archbishop Hurley gave the gift of his time to others and was very present — this was a great gift.