Brother Francis
New Brother Francis Shelter Provides Great Partnership
Construction is complete on the new Brother Francis Shelter facility, and Cook Inlet Housing Authority (CIHA) and Neeser Construction have turned over the keys to shelter staff. The old Shelter was demolished on June 2 during a press conference and the entire project, including the new parking lot and landscaping, is scheduled for completion by September.
CIHA and Catholic Social Services have been partnering in support of Brother Francis Shelter for a number of years, and when it came time to build the new facility the importance of expanding that partnership was apparent. Cook Inlet Housing Authority offered to take the lead on construction and maintenance of the building allowing Catholic Social Services the ability to continue their focus on running the shelter and offering services to Brother Francis Shelter clients.
In addition to managing the design and construction of the new facility, CIHA is also a funding partner and is assuming building ownership and responsibility for long term care and building preservation. Catholic Social Services will be responsible for all client services and daily operations activities but will work closely with Cook Inlet Housing to insure the long-term physical health of the building and the grounds.
History
In 1983 the Municipality made improvements to a vehicle maintenance barn with a dirt floor providing a facility that was only meant to serve as a temporary home for the shelter. The municipality provided the necessary space, and Catholic Social Services has operated Brother Francis Shelter in this location for 22 years. Services to the homeless have changed dramatically over the past two decades. Case management, medical care, job training, mental health and substance abuse referrals, legal assistance, meals, laundry, and showers are just a few of the critical services that Brother Francis Shelter offers clients.
The time for a new shelter was long overdue, particularly as shelter and support staff have been providing support services from a cramped 600 square foot space divided by plywood partitions offering little privacy or security.
Partnership
The new facility has greatly improved the ability of Catholic Social Services and Brother Francis Shelter staff to provide dignified emergency shelter and, perhaps more important, programs that help the homeless transition to self-sufficient living. As a housing provider, CIHA has a vested interest in ensuring that all housing needs are being addressed in our community. Including the land lease from the Municipality of Anchorage, the Brother Francis Shelter offers a wonderful partnership opportunity, allowing all entities involved the ability to work together to fulfill key elements of each of their missions.
Funding
The majority of the $7.6 million needed for the project was raised through support from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Health and Social Services, Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Rasmuson Foundation, Wells Fargo and many individual donors. An additional $1.2 million will be raised throughout the summer to furnish the shelter and establish an endowment for maintenance and operations.
For a suggested donation of $5.00, Catholic Social services is currently offering bracelets that say "For My Brother" to individuals who support the effort. Proceeds from the "For My Brother" bracelets will primarily go towards furnishing the medical Caring Clinic in the new Brother Francis Shelter. The Caring Clinic, through a partnership with The Anchorage Neighborhood Health Clinic and The Family Practice Residency Program through Providence Hospital, served 268 people in fiscal 2004.
More than 2,600 homeless men and women slept at the Brother Francis Shelter in fiscal year 2004. Of those served, 451 (16.9 percent) were Alaskans from outside of Anchorage.
Those interested in supporting the capital campaign, can contact Saba Flanagan at 297-7788 or visit the Catholic Social Services website at http://www.cssalaska.org.
