La Casa de Amistad, Inc.

We were offered a chance to work with students at Purdue Polytechnic Institute South Bend's "Interior Design Technology" course to create designs for our youth wing classrooms, and we couldn't be happier with the results! All students worked hard to incorporate energy, thoughtfulness, and cultural relevance into many details of their designs. Working in groups of 2-3, the students presented a complete design narrative, mood boards, 2-D layouts, 3-D layout perspectives, and implementation plans, including real furniture and sourcing options. As you can see from the attached selection of their designs, these students are talented. We are so grateful for how seriously they took this project on -- we can't wait to bring some of the ideas to life!

Here is a MUST READ article by South Bend Tribune reporter Jordan Smith, featuring Juan Constantino: "La Casa de Amistad receives competitive $2 million grant from Amazon co-founder" #yieldgivingopencall #yieldgiving LINK: https://lnkd.in/g3S6cKcD

BIG NEWS!!! We’re excited to share that La Casa de Amistad received a $2 million gift from the Yield Giving Open Call! The #YieldGivingOpenCall, managed by @Lever for Change, focused on elevating organizations working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. Our organization does just that through our unwavering commitment to empowering the Latino community in the South Bend, Indiana region through bilingual education, cultural enrichment, and advocacy. Juan Constantino, Executive Director of La Casa de Amistad: "The future of La Casa de Amistad and the families we serve is bright. We are here to make sure of it. We are extremely grateful for the recognition and funding of $2 million by Yield Giving. This $2 million unrestricted grant is the highest award in our organization's history. It will be transformational in the way we are able to plan for the future and adapt to the needs of our growing Latino and immigrant populations in South Bend." Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gWNYQb5q #YieldGiving #SocialImpact #OpenCall

La Casa de Amistad, Inc. is the first-ever recipient of the South Bend Regional Chamber "Lifting Voices Award" for excellence in empowering and educating our community's future leaders. We are honored to receive this award and to have been hand-picked by our local business leaders to receive the honor. It really means a lot to us that you've put your trust in our ability to improve our community through our work with Latino youth and families. Thank you to ChoiceLight, Inc. CEO Regina Emberton for presenting us with this beautiful recognition of our work.

We are once again offering a chance for non-Spanish speakers to learn how to communicate in Spanish! Join our 10-week course from April to June to learn the basics of Spanish communications and culture to support you in everyday life, dining, travel, and community building in South Bend. For the first time, we will be offering two different levels to suit your learning goals: 1. Level 1 Novice Beginner: This course is for people who are interested in learning more about Spanish but who do not have experience using or learning Spanish. Meets Mondays 5:30-7:30, April 8-June 3. 2. Level 2 Novice Middle: This course is for people who may have introductory knowledge of basic Spanish words through travel, social, or school experiences. Meets Wednesdays 5:30-7:30, April 10-June 5. The courses are taught by Elisa Zwier Dralle, Ph.D., who has extraordinary experience and passion for teaching Spanish at all levels. Join her this spring and take your Spanish to new heights! Each class is capped at 20 students, so register today online:

South Bend Brew Werks opened in 2013 with the tagline "Building a stronger community, one brew at a time" and they have been strong supporters of La Casa de Amistad ever since! When you visit South Bend Brew Werks, you can add a donation to La Casa in their Beer 4 Good program. To date, South Bend Brew Werks patrons have donated an unbelievable $50,600 through these donations. This shows how true it is that every penny counts and that gifts of all sizes can add up to make a huge difference! South Bend Brew Werks is locally owned and located in downtown South Bend, right by our friends at St. Joe County Public Library main branch and South Bend Cubs Four Winds Field. In addition to serving craft beer (brewed on-site), they make their own teas, have a full bar, and serve delicious meals for families and patrons of all ages. Consider letting South Bend Brew Werks cook your family dinner this evening on a sunny day like today. You’ll support La Casa de Amistad and an impactful small business while at it.

Our latest issue of La Casa's News and Notes just dropped. Read our LinkedIn version here! :

La Casa de Amistad is proud to announce that Karen Viveros has been named our new Director of Immigration Services. Karen is a native of Bolivia, and has over 15 years of professional experience as a Department of Justice Accredited Representative. She joined the La Casa de Amistad team in August of 2022 and has since more than doubled the capacity of cases our immigration legal clinic processes per year. We are looking forward to Karen’s leadership and vision for the continued expansion of our immigration legal clinic and services at La Casa de Amistad. Please join us in congratulating Karen on her promotion and continued growth within La Casa de Amistad. ¡Felicidades! #LaCasaEsTuCasa

Join us for a hot breakfast and cafe con leche on Wed. March 6th at La Casa de Amistad, Inc.! All are welcome, but the $25 donation tickets will go fast so get yours today at: https://lnkd.in/gJRhJNSU. Thank you to our early bird sponsors and program partners, St. Joseph County Public Library, Indiana University South Bend, Lazar Scientific, Inc., and Drive & Shine Inc!

At the age of fifteen, I was introduced to the term “Beloved Community,” as Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) described it. At the time, residents of South Central Elkhart, the neighborhood in which I grew up in, were taking a stand against a project to demolish what is now known as the Historic Roosevelt Center. The preservation of the building would bring about affordable housing for low-income families, maintain the integrity of its location at the heart of the neighborhood, and bring forth new community spaces for fellowship and engagement. I come from a family line of community advocates and organizers, so naturally, my uncle and dad jumped into the community efforts to stop the center’s demolition, which was a few blocks from our home. At the time I asked, "What is so important about this building?" I remember my dad’s response, which was the first time he encouraged my intuition and critical thinking. He told me, “It is not about the building, but more about what it will transform if we come together and win! All we have to do is care.” I realize that I haven’t stopped caring since then. The “Beloved Community” as I have learned from it over the years, is a group of people that cares and acts with reconciliation in their hearts to drive change. La Casa de Amistad has become a “Beloved Community” for those who serve through it or support it every day to drive changes in community practices, service access, and policies. We head into 2024, and our 51st year in existence, with much pride and hope for what we can become with and for our Latino, Hispanic, and immigrant communities. It doesn’t come without its challenges, as we continue to see compromise and barriers against the thousands of lives that we serve every day. With each day, before and after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we recommit to the community that stands for the transformation that will ensure a better quality of life for all. A life that does not entertain bigotry or violence against the most vulnerable. Thank you for trusting La Casa de Amistad to be the partner and safe space you need to begin or act on transformation. It is our commitment to challenge and reconcile for the betterment of our community and for the future generations we serve. I wish everyone a reflective and transformative Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Que viva la gente pobre y desposeída! Que vivan los trabajadores inmigrantes! Que viva el futuro sin racismo y pobreza! ***Written by Dara Marquez Venegas, Director of Community Engagement for La Casa de Amistad*** Read and share this full blog post from our website at: https://lnkd.in/gFXffEZa