Using the Star Wars theme, Dimond (Rebel Alliance) and South (Empire) hockey teams decided to use the game as an opportunity to raise funds and donations for Brother Francis Shelter, the homeless shelter for adults that is run by Catholic Social Services.
Just as when Brother Francis Shelter opened, we are in a perfect storm. We have a faltering economy, homelessness on the rise, increasing numbers of vulnerable citizens without shelter, and safety is an issue. Working in close partnership with government agencies, businesses and committed individuals, Catholic Social Services is striving to achieve short and long-term solutions.
I want to share with you the story of 24-year-old Emily, who while pregnant, became the legal guardian of her four brothers and sisters. Money was tight so they stayed at a shelter and St. Francis House food pantry in Anchorage provided them with healthy food.
In October, our thoughts turn to winter in Alaska. Light is dwindling and the weather is growing colder. For some that may bring joy; time in a warm house with comforting food and people nearby. For those who are homeless, however, October in Anchorage is the beginning of a long, cold period where daily activities are more difficult because of weather and darkness.
Catholic Social Services in Alaska has eight different programs, each and every one of which could stand alone, but they all stand together under our mission to compassionately serve the poor and those in need, strengthen individuals and families, and advocate for social justice. The fact that we have a diversity of programs speaks to the needs in our community. Catholic Social Services has built itself to grow and fit with the needs of our population. Our broad mission allows that flexibility.
Clare House is an emergency shelter for women with children in Anchorage. Over the years Catholic Social Services has received great support from the community to operate this Anchorage outreach. Many extraordinary volunteers have dedicated time and effort to improving the lives of women and children in need. Surprisingly though, it is not a place that many people in Anchorage have ever seen. And if they have seen it, they may not have known they passed it.
There are solutions to homelessness; there are communities in this country where homelessness has been eliminated. Perhaps Anchorage can be next. We hope and pray this could happen.
As a relative newcomer to the organization, I am sure there are many out there who know this story better than I, but we began first as the St. Francis House Food Pantry. In the beginning, Holy Family Cathedral began to distribute food to the hungry in our community. That was nearly 50 years ago.
Family Disability Services is a very special program of CSS that supports and serves individuals and families with special needs. You may have known it previously as our Respite Program. It provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and offers support for their families.
Here at Catholic Social Services, we recently received a letter from a former client. At an unexpected crisis point in his life he found himself homeless and with nowhere to turn. He turned to the Brother Francis Shelter, but he came to us with low expectations and filled with fear of personal danger, as well as fear of being judged. His experience changed his view of shelters and of being homeless.