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Clare House Women and Children’s Shelter Receives $750K GrantThe shelter opened in 1984 and can house about 50 women and their children, but the waitlist can be long. The money will go toward buying a bigger building to house more residents in need.A shelter that serves women and children here in Anchorage got a much-needed boost on Monday when workers learned they were to receive a community development block grant of $750,000.
The money will go to Catholic Social Services for the Clare House, a homeless shelter. Officials say it will go a long way toward their goal of buying a bigger building for the shelter to move in to.
The shelter has served Anchorage since 1984 but officials say Clare House has become old and crowded. On top of that, shelter residents are staying much longer than ever before, leaving a waiting list that can run to 80 people at times.
Catholic Social Services hopes to buy a hotel in Spenard and convert it into a new shelter.
The Eagle’s Nest Hotel has space for about 100 women and children and would also offer space for what is called “transitional housing” where families could stay for up to two years.
Susan Bomalaski, executive director at CSS, says it will cost about $2.5 million to purchase and renovate the hotel. She says the grant puts them very near to that goal. The plan is to purchase the building and start renovations this winter so that the first residents might move in as early as next summer.
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Marian H said on Wednesday, Sep 28 at 8:55 PM
that I didn’t get attitude and lip from and allowed to participate was Rabbit Creek Community Church. It is always the girls. I can say the little B’s and their dad’s or family members. The parishioners say things like you are not welcome, you don’t get to, and act like A holes. They act like that until another priest tells them to stop. Not only does the Catholic thing extend in people staying their but my step father was Catholic and blood is thicker than anything with them. I learned and know this from personal experience. Those select few who these women decide to help get the help they need. The others are just SOL. In short there needs to be more places to go. Spend money on a different and new organizations that is non religiously themed.
74521829Marian H said on Wednesday, Sep 28 at 8:54 PM
Saflok card company. Saflok card company stated that they buyer or purchaser of their card system is responsible to use it in a legal manner. Whatever you do don’t stay at Safe Harbor Inn because of that issue and master key access to the room. The little bolt you see doesn’t protect you if you had issues with how the staff were behaving. The bolt like in standard doors needs to be separate. And if you have issues with Catholics and believe me….if the priests are doing to people…some of those people grow up doing it to others. I am not bad mouthing them either. Because Catholics are not the only religious group to practice this. In bush Alaska you know which males like it that way, you hear of people talking about what each person is going through, WAKE UP people and open your eyes. It is not only a Catholic problem. We as a community need to address and deal with the issue and we as people enable it to continue. I visited many different churches growing up and the only one
74521797Marian H said on Wednesday, Sep 28 at 8:53 PM
help who THEY WANT TO. THEY is defined as specific to any organization here in Anchorage. You will see a consistent theme of sociological interaction. This person knows this person, this person is related to so and so, and so on. It is about relationships. Safe Harbor Inn. You see this by their behavior and observing interactions with others. More of what you do sets precedence than what is said. If they are going to give money do it to a organization that offers their help to all and not just says and states THAT ALL ARE WELCOME. I had experiences with Catholics when I was younger and here. Enough said. And if you have a doctor’s note and have physical impairments to do their chores which all are required to do you can’t stay their either. In fact these physical impairments happened and occurred at Safe Harbor Inn. It was very interesting reading and keeping up to date on news throughout my life. It was 20/20 or 48 hours that did a piece about a man trying to sue
74521784Marian H said on Wednesday, Sep 28 at 8:52 PM
Spend money on a religious entity is not the solution. I stayed there and was very grateful to stay there with my son. If you ask me there needs to be a non religious themed organization getting the city's funds or federal grants. Catholics tend to want to help Catholics and CLAIRE HOUSE requires a sponsor if you plan on staying over 30 days and this sponsor is Catholic. So I couch surfed and got attitudes from the staff "not all of them" and attitudes from my family members. They tend to help their friends, their family, their extended family, and prefer outsiders or NON FAMILIARS to STAY OUT. While I attended Rabbit Creek Community Church here in Anchorage Alaska one topic was to have a shelter to help the women. So I tithed because I believed in our purpose. They are southern Baptist. The Baptist bus did go there and pick up females but I chose to mostly keep to myself. It really comes down to there are all these organizations in Anchorage and they are only willing to h
74521723Jenny said on Tuesday, Sep 27 at 4:42 PM
Where did the grant come from?
74453196Why the Increase of needs for a shelter? said on Tuesday, Sep 27 at 7:09 AM
More abused women & children? Just homeless? Why don't the women with children (if they are without jobs & shelter) get food stamps & welfare? I don't believe in Welfare, since it is a visious circle of entitlements, but since it is available, why don't they use it? Are the majority of these people Alaskan natives? Street people? Most of your churches are suppose to be charitable organizatiosn, why not go to the local churches, one for instant is "ANCHORAG E BAPTIST TEMPLE", they are rich beyond needs.They should contribute since they get FREE tax exemptions for all their houses, right?
74423559Mike J said on Monday, Sep 26 at 10:37 PM
Finally, a worthwhile project to give a hand to those trying to better themselves. As the story says, a much needed boost.
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