May 2016

Employee Beat

Amanda and Tami from PSAS at the

Mat-Su child abuse awareness rally.

Con�nental Subaru presented two checks

through the “Share the Love” campaign to

CSS totaling $43,000, a check for CH and for

CEH!!

Lisa A with Video Dad shoo�ng a video

promo�ng the CSS Mission!

David Ri/enberg with Holden A. Holden and his

friends at his 6th birthday brought 105lbs of

food for the St. Francis House.

Page 2

May 2016

May 30th: Memorial Day is a work holiday.

Enjoy your day off on Monday, May 30th. Have a wonderful three day

weekend. For those of you working, thank you for your dedication!

Catholic Social Services’ Charity Ball is May 7th at the Hotel Captain Cook.

EMPLOYEE KUDOS Congratulations to Homeless Family Services for becoming accredited by the

Council on

Accreditation in Community Supported Living standards. Accreditation in these

standards

allows CSS to pursue multi-year funding for the Supportive Services for Veteran

Families grant.

A special shout-out to Pamela, Katrielle,

Stephanie, and Ashley for their work before and during the accreditation

process!!

Ruth Oliver deserves a kudos because she goes above and be-yond for our guests every day. She is always looking for ways to make our guests feel welcomed and cared for. She has worked hard to make Brother Francis a better place. She always has a great attitude and puts our guests needs first. We are so lucky to have her here at BFS!

Kudos to Wes and Tricia in a

beau�ful annual report

To Stephanie for a FABULOUS presentation!

Page 3

May 2016

What’s Happening!

“Do not give up your dreams of a more just world!” Recently the Pope tweeted this inspiring message to young people

of the world. What a message that is to us about the future. At Catholic Social Services we are taking that message to

heart as we kick off the celebration of our 50th anniversary as an organization in our community.

Starting out as a small food pantry on 3rd Avenue 50 years ago, Catholic Social Services has at its roots addressing

family struggles with poverty and homelessness in Anchorage. Last month, Effie Caldarola wrote a really wonderful

piece chronicling the history of Catholic Social Services (www.catholicanchor.org/alaska-news/css-turns-50-social-

outreach-arm-of-the-church-grows-with-alaska). In the piece she mentions many important milestones along our jour-

ney as an organization. She also speaks to our mission and our special gift as an agency.

Catholic Social Services has a long and rich history of serving the underserved. Together with our supporters, we have

transformed as an agency from a small food pantry in a tiny house on 3rd Avenue, to a multi-faceted organization with

eight hope-inspiring programs. These programs include: two emergency shelters for adults and families experiencing

homelessness; a home for teen boys; the busiest food pantry in town; homeless case management services; adoption &

pregnancy support program; services for people with disabilities and their families; and the state refugee resettlement

program. To best serve the entire community these programs are run efficiently and effectively. Maximizing our re-

sources, we strive to use professional expertise and evidence-based practice in order to best serve the needs of all people

in our community. All of this is provided from a place of love and respect, honoring the Catholic Social Teachings and

the work of so many individuals over the past 50 years who have dedicated their time and support to help those in need.

It’s inspiring to say, inspiring to hear and even more inspiring to see it in action throughout our organization.

Not long ago I attended a conference, and I had the opportunity to meet a young woman. She was a university student

studying social work. She, and a group of her peers, had been asking me questions about how to best serve women and

children experiencing homelessness, and about our program at Clare House. After the session, this young woman ap-

proached me and thanked me for answering the questions. I expressed my gratitude for her interest and her passion

about homeless families. She explained that for her it was very real. She had grown up at Clare House, off and on, as

her mother struggled with economic challenges. She told me that Clare House had been a safe place for her, and in-

spired her to complete her studies and focus on helping others. I thanked her again and embraced her. Just a few days

later, I had the opportunity to hear a story about the planning involved in beginning the original Clare House. I heard

about personal passion among a group of individuals to help women and children with nowhere to go. This group felt so

strongly that in Anchorage—their community—it was unacceptable to have women and children on the streets, without

options. Their passion was palpable and continues to live on in women such as the young lady I met. All of that pas-

sion has led to a successful program in Clare House.

These stories are not unique, but they are so special. Each program at Catholic Social Services shares similar stories.

Families and individuals impacted by challenges very difficult to overcome alone, being aided by community members

working together to create solutions to help their neighbors. From these solutions, hope is inspired and future genera-

tions take up these challenging issues with renewed energy and passion. This speaks to the heart of why Catholic Social

Services came into existence, and why I know we will survive for many years to come. Our tagline, “providing help and

creating hope,” says it brilliantly. I began with a quote from Pope Francis tweeted to young people, but I think it speaks

to all of us. Catholic Social Services is our vehicle to create a more just world, and a more just community. Thank you

to the community of Anchorage for driving that vehicle and helping our neighbors and those in greatest need.

If you have questions on any of the topics in this column, anything else going on at CSS, or ideas of topics you would

like to hear about please let me know through email at ldhaquino@cssalaska.org, call me at 222-7351 or write me a

note.

Lisa DH Aquino

On behalf of the many volunteers

and paid employees who comprise

the CSS “family” we’d like to thank

you for joining us in working to

fulfill the mission of Catholic Social

Services. Your work with CSS will

require commitment, compassion,

flexibility, and integrity.

Mission

To compassionately serve the

poor and those in need,

strengthen individuals and

families, and advocate for

social justice.

Mealilo Suafoa (FDS): 2 Year

Amber Meyer (PSAS): 2 Year

Issa Braman (RAIS): 4 Years

Bill Watson (ADMIN): 5 Years

David Rittenberg (BFS): 5 Years

Mark Artemyev (ADMIN): 7 Years

Meysio Fong-Phan (FDS): 8 Years

TOTAL: 33 YEARS

May Anniversaries May Anniversaries May Anniversaries May Anniversaries

May BirthdaysMay BirthdaysMay BirthdaysMay Birthdays

Nermina Fisek (FDS): May 1st

David O’Neel (ADMIN): May 3rd

Miron Price (FDS): May 6th

Meysio Fong-Phan (FDS): May 7th

Felix Albaladejo (FDS): May 10th

Lisa Caldeira (BFS): May 22nd

Robin Dempsey (BFS): May 24th

Sascha Poplar (HFS): May 25th

Tina Kahele (BFS): May 29th

Amber Meyer (PSAS): May 29th

Lavinia Fonua (CH): May 31st

Page 4

May 2016

New Employees: Sascha Poplar - HFS

Yuri Sutton - Admin

Lavinia Fonua - CH

Sierra Floyd - BFS

Julie Vannosdale - CH

Page 5

May 2016

May 2016May 2016May 2016May 2016

May 1st : May Day

May 2nd : Brother & Sister Day

May 5th: Cinco De Mayo

May 6th: No Diet Day

May 8th : Mother’s Day

May 12th: International Nurses

Day

May 14th: Dance Like a Chicken

Day

May 30th: Memorial Day

May 16th: Wear purple for

peace day

May 31st: Macaroon Day