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LEFT: Rebecca Shields, Kodiak Women's Resource and Crisis Center (KWRCC) executive director (left), and Alina Button, outreach advocate, in the center's free thrift store. RIGHT: Some of the KWRCC staff includes (from left) Rebecca Shields, executive director; Kimberly Dolph, statistical advocate; Alina Button, outreach advocate; Ellamy Tiller, outreach coordinator; and Penny Lampl, SART and shelter coordinator. Connections to Care helps fill gaps in community services Catherine Fletcher has cherished her independence since moving from Scotland to Alaska in her early 20s. Now in her 70s, she lives in Valdez, coping with the challenges of aging and daily tasks, especially since her husband, John, passed away 20 years ago. Despite this, her nearby daughter and grandchildren bring joy, and her love for arts and crafts continues. To support her, Connections to Care, a volunteer-run nonprofit in Valdez, steps in, offering physical assistance and companionship. Founded by Joan Heikens in 2016, the organization fills community service gaps, offering things like lawn mowing, medical equipment loans and transportation. Providence Alaska provided a $6,000 grant to the program in 2024. Volunteer Sara Ellis-Sanborn began visiting Catherine last year, creating a bond akin to family. Catherine recalls, "Sara just appeared. Mostly we sit and talk for a while, which is very nice. We find all sorts of things to talk about." Connections to Care's sole employee, Holly Mooney, coordinates volunteers, working closely with local organizations like the food bank and senior center. "We really try to be where people need it the most. Our main goal is to help make their daily living better," she said. Volunteer Sara Ellis-Sanborn (left) provides assistance and companionship to Catherine Fletcher as part of the Connections to Care program. Seward Area Hospice helps a family say goodbye at home With 24 years of nursing experience, Kim Bird of Seward recognized end-of-life signs, but during her father's cancer journey, her focus was solely on his comfort. Seward Area Hospice supported her family, with Tonya Foote, program director, visiting regularly. Founded in 2016, SAH aims to provide compassionate end-of-life care with dignity and choice. In 2024, SAH assisted 12 clients and families, offering grief-support visits and holding vigils for six deaths. Tonya emphasized their focus on community and home-based care. Providence Alaska supported SAH with $40,000 for payroll, while volunteers provided care. Thanks to SAH, Kim ensured her father's comfort in his final days, right in her hometown of Seward, where her father always wanted to be. When Susan lost her mother in 2023, she not only was grieving her sudden passing, but also the security they shared living together, three generations under one roof. Susan was suddenly responsible for all living expenses and had to figure out how to work without childcare available for her young daughter. It wasn't long before Susan found herself experiencing homelessness. "We literally had nowhere to go. Me and my kid slept in our truck," said Susan, who is using a different name to protect her privacy. "All the bills piled up, and we lost everything." Then the Kodiak Women's Resource and Crisis Center stepped in. It is Kodiak's only shelter for people of any gender who are victims of domestic or sexual violence. It houses up to 25 people. The crisis center has increased its services to include confidential advocacy, legal advocacy, support groups and community education and outreach, and referrals to resources such as health care, housing and counseling. The center also provides a free thrift store with clothing and basic household supplies, and a 24-hour crisis line. The center recently added a forensic exam room. In 2024, Providence Alaska provided $28,000 in unrestricted funding to help the center do its work. This helped KWRCC serve 55 in-house clients and 446 total individuals including non-residential clients. It served 735 additional contacts with education, outreach, crisis-line assistance and more. Once KWRCC provided Susan with a place to live, she was able to get her daughter enrolled back into school. She received assistance in disposing of her broken- down car and now has a working car. The folks at the shelter even hosted a birthday party for her daughter – the first time she had received birthday gifts in a long time. This, plus counseling and support, have helped Susan save for a brighter future. Kodiak Women's Resource and Crisis Center creates a safer community

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