Volunteer Coordinator VISTA

Volunteers have been a critical part of Catholic Social Services since its inception in 1962. While CSS provides the framework, volunteers have been the cornerstone of CSS¿s ability to provide a comprehensive range of social services to more than 16,000 Alaskans per year. The CSS Community Engagement Strategic Plan is to enhance the experiences of our volunteer workforce as an essential part of CSS¿s mission to compassionately serve the poor and those in need, strengthen individuals and families, and advocate for the common good.

Catholic Social Services in Anchorage, Alaska serves the community in a variety of ways.

Housing Solutions & Support

CSS provided emergency shelter to over 30% of all people who accessed emergency shelters in Anchorage throughout the year. Brother Francis Shelter and Clare House are more than just emergency shelters for adults and families. Homeless Family Services case managers work around the clock to help people in their transition to permanent stability so they may experience productive, healthy, and fulfilled lives.

Hunger Relief

St. Francis House Food Pantry supported 13,458 people with nutritious food in FY 23. Majority of our food pantry clients are forced to choose between paying rent and utilities, buying gas, or buying food.

St. Francis House Food Pantry is one of the largest food pantries in Alaska and provides an emergency supply of food to anyone experiencing food insecurity.

Refugee Resources

Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services (RAIS) provides a bridge for refugees from their former lives to their new ones in the U.S. RAIS operates as Alaska¿s primary refugee resettlement agency. In FY 23, 582 new arrivals were served by Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services (RAIS).

We provide refugees with helpful resources as they settle in Anchorage¿connecting them with jobs and weaving them into the fabric of the community. In FY23, the RAIS employment team helped 278 people find new jobs.