Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) provides more than just a safe place to sleep. The chaplaincy program at CASS cares for people experiencing homelessness who have a spiritual hunger.

Lay and rostered leaders are encouraged to volunteer their time with the chaplaincy program at CASS to teach Bible Studies and serve as outreach coordinators. Volunteer duties take two to three hours per week. Contact John Thurston john.thurston39@gmail.com or check out azchaplaincyforthehomeless.org to learn more.

Office of the Bishop staff members Pr. Jacqui Pagel and Brian Flatgard visited CASS in downtown Phoenix recently, to see first-hand how this program is woven into the many programs at CASS.

As their website states, CASS’s model is effective because they provide wraparound case management to people experiencing homelessness that helps them find employment and move into permanent housing. Much of their success is due to the feeding of the soul.

The Chaplaincy program continues to grow rapidly, opening 3 soon to be 4 remote offices in Mesa, Sunnyslope, Glendale and hopefully soon in Maryvale. All these locations have significant pockets of homeless people who can't or won't go down to the Human Services Campus downtown.

In Phoenix, CASS offers Chapel Service every Sunday, 8:30am Bible Study Monday through Friday and other opportunities to learn of Christ love for the world.