| Su Casa provides a healing and safe environment for homeless families who need food, shelter, and a link to services to prepare them for independent living. Through our Sunday soup kitchen, neighborhood garden, playground, and activities, we have grown to know our Hispanic and African-American neighbors and partner with them in making the neighborhood a better place to live.
We engage the public in social justice issues related to our work through our quarterly newsletter, presentations, and Plunge Group live-in experiences. Following the Catholic Worker tradition, staff is committed to living a simple, nonviolent lifestyle, living with the poor, and fostering justice in our neighborhood and community. As community members, volunteers are expected to live the Catholic Worker lifestyle, serve as needed, and share themselves spiritually. | Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses) |
Population Members(adults and children): 12 Non-member Residents: 20 (Approx. - we serve as a shelter for 4-6 homeless hispanic families) | Government Decision Making: By consensus Leadership Core Group: Yes | Labor and Money Financial Style: Other (Members who volunteer full-time with the community receive a small monthly stipend. Members who have outside employment contribute financially to support the community.) Labor Contribution: Expected | Land and Buildings Urban Area: 2 acres (0.8 hectares) (We have a beautiful organic garden with beehives and compost.) Land Owned By: Another form of Non-profit (Central American Martyrs Center (the non-profit that operates the shelter, volunteer program, and soup kitchen) owns the buildings. The Archdiocese owns the garden.) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (Community dinner five nights/week plus occasional celebrations) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (Some of us are vegetarian) Alcohol Use: Prohibited (Prohibited in the house or on the property) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (No smoking in the house) | Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Roman Catholic (Although we are rooted in the Catholic social justice tradition, today we are an ecumenical community comprised of Protestant, Catholic, Quaker, and agnostic members.) Educational Style(s): Public schooled | |
