Catholic Social Services of Alaska operates one of the only comprehensive immigration legal services programs in the state, alongside refugee resettlement, emergency food, and rent and utility assistance. Its work spans the Anchorage and Juneau dioceses, which together cover all of Alaska. This page explains how to donate, what volunteers actually do, and how to request help.
Anchorage has resettled meaningful refugee populations from Sudan, Central America, and Southeast Asia, and CSS Alaska coordinates much of that work: reception, housing help, and the ongoing legal and social support families need during their first years in the state. The agency also takes immigration legal cases beyond resettlement, which matters in a state where accredited legal help is scarce.
Geography shapes the challenge. New arrivals have to learn Anchorage's systems while managing steep housing costs and finding work, usually without an established community from their home country nearby. CSS staff and volunteers act as the bridge during that stretch, from paperwork to employment leads to basic orientation.
Families in crisis can get emergency help with food, rent, and utilities through CSS regardless of faith background, and counseling services are available as well. Program details and intake hours change, so check cssalaska.org for current locations and how to apply before showing up in person.
Alaska's long winters make utility bills a genuine crisis point for households on tight budgets, which is part of why utility assistance sits alongside rent and food in the emergency program. If you are heading toward a shutoff notice, contact the agency early; caseworkers can usually do more with some lead time than at the last minute.
Cash goes furthest because the agency can direct it to whichever program is under the most strain, whether that is the food pantry or a resettlement caseload. You can give online through the official donation page at cssalaska.org/donate, either as a one-time gift or a recurring monthly amount.
Volunteers are used in three main areas:
Apply through the official site; roles that involve working directly with families typically require an application and screening first.
Confirm the organization's 501(c)(3) status in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov, and look it up on Charity Navigator for financial context. For any gift of $250 or more, keep the written acknowledgment the charity sends you; the IRS requires it if you claim a deduction.
Sources: Catholic Social Services of Alaska official site (cssalaska.org); our Alaska charity guide research. Retrieved July 2026. We are not affiliated with Catholic Social Services of Alaska and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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