Chelsea Buck-Leilich

Larry Kovach has been deeply involved in the Flagstaff community since making it his home over 40 years ago. Larry was first introduced to Catholic Charities through United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), where he has volunteered as a Community Investment Team member for about two decades. A retired engineer from W. L. Gore & Associates and a veteran himself, Larry learned that Catholic Charities was a leader in providing services to those experiencing homelessness.

For Kevin, a veteran from Boston, it has been a long journey to get to Flagstaff, the place he now calls home. Kevin joined the Army in 1985 in hopes of becoming a medic. After spending some time in Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During a training, Kevin injured his arm and eventually returned to Massachusetts where he spent the next several years working as a painter.

Tammy had a decorated career in the U.S. Navy. From 1994-1998, she was a damage controlman stationed in Norfolk, Va.

Catholic Charities’ Juniper House in Flagstaff provides a safe haven for up to 8 women who have previously been incarcerated. Residents typically do not have a stable and supportive home to go to following their release from jail and need help to get back on their feet. Juniper House is not a traditional sober house; rather the program empowers residents to become self-sufficient by providing support and resources that allow them to maintain their recovery, find employment and ultimately stable housing.

From a young age, Brianne knew drugs and alcohol all too well. Having grown up on the Navajo reservation in Tuba City, her mom struggled with alcohol to the point that Brianne had to be removed from her home when she was 5 years old. Eventually her mom went to rehab and managed to get Brianne back in her custody, but it wasn’t long before she was using again.