La Casa Hogar is a center for women and children. The center houses a variety of programs essential to the successful transition of new immigrants to life in the Yakima Valley.

Our programs and service empower Hispanic women and children through education. And extending the caring hand of the community in serving anyone in need of emergency service.

Women's Support

La Casa Hogar is a place where women can learn English, driving, computer, but more importantly share as women. It is a place where they can make new friends and find the support of their extended family which they left behind in Mexico. Our programs fall into five categories:

English as a Second Language

The ESL program is our core program — the reason why most women first come to La Casa Hogar. Our ESL program enjoys a 98% retention rate. It is common for our students to enter as non English speakers, then progressing through all available classes. We teach five levels of English using a contextual teaching model. Students are actively involved in choosing content areas. Class work is enhanced through computer instructed ESL. The teaching staff has been with our program for several years. The teachers have a passion for the students they serve and can often be heard saying “My students are the best. They are so committed and such eager learners. I love my job.” Our ESL program is supported through a partnership with Yakima Valley Community College and a grant from ProLiteracy USA.

Spanish Literacy

Research indicates that the ability to learn a second language is greatly enhanced if the learner has reading and writing ability in their native language. We can affirm this from our experience as well. Our Spanish Literacy class provides one-on-one support for learners. Future plans include teaching reading and writing in Spanish through methods used by the Adults Education National Institute in Mexico.

Adult Basic Education

After the priority of learning English has been achieved, our students always express serious interest in acquiring their GED. Current program goals include providing support and GED education preparation, and other pre employment soft skill development.

Parent Education

Our parent education program has two parts:

The Learning Basket™ is designed for mothers who have children under the age of three. It is a 12-session course where mothers learn how to teach their babies and toddlers through play utilizing a variety of simple toys or household items. Mothers learn how to engage their child’s learning through age appropriate tasks and develop an understanding of normal child development. The materials are flexible and designed such that people with limited literacy skills understand them. The groups are facilitated by trained parent leaders.

We are very proud of this unique project which brings hand-made, individualized baskets full of tools designed to assist in early development skills to parents. It is a wonderful example of just how La Casa Hogar is able to connect to its constituency and why this truly grassroots connection makes La Casa Hogar a vital participant in the Eastside Early Learning Initiative.

In our Children’s Learning Center mothers have the opportunity to experience, learn and practice effective ways to engage their preschool aged children in the learning process. Mothers actively participate in the children’s learning center on a regular basis, learning from the modeling of the teacher and other resource people. This environment provides an opportunity for the mothers to practice English with their children and to develop skills and confidence in relating to their child's teacher.

Computer Technology

It is likely that the very first time our computer literacy students have ever touched a computer is at La Casa Hogar. In our community technology center (CTC) students learn basic computer skills beginning with an introduction to the computer, keyboarding, Windows XP, and the Microsoft Office Suite. Other practical computer instructed learning is available such as English as a Second Language, GED preparation, Nova Net online education system, and various project learning opportunities. Peer to peer teaching through mentoring is a basic principle throughout the program. Our CTC is also “home” for AmeriCorps Vista members to contribute to their community. Computer Technology learning is made possible through a Community Access to Technology grant generously given by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Leadership/Self Sufficiency

Growing leaders is an important aspect of all programs at La Casa Hogar/Yakima Interfaith Coalition. Four staff are former program participants; all learned English through our program and several began their computer skill development on the job. They serve as role models for our students. A frequent mantra is “You can do it.” Leadership development begins with naming the attributes and skills of leadership through teaching. Often what students and staff are already doing represents significant marks of leadership abilities and skill. Low confidence and self-perceptions limit their ability to recognize and claim leadership. Topical based classes are provided to support leadership learning activities. Opportunities to practice leadership skills are available in areas such as teaching others, fund development, and coordinating projects.

Our intent is to develop leadership capacity at all levels of the organization — student, staff and Board of Directors. One fourth of our Board members are first generation Mexican immigrants, serving for the first time on a Board of Directors. Giving voice and examining questions of inclusion are critical to successful leadership development in the community. Our work in leadership capacity building is made possible through a grant from the City of Yakima, Community Development Block Grant.

The women enrolled in the program share in the work of the center – volunteering in the clothing bank, helping clean the center, assisting in childcare, selling raffle tickets for the annual fund raising event and teaching classes.

One woman expressed what the center means for her. “Here I met friends and I consider this house what its name says, a home”.

Emergency Services Outreach

Emergency Services Outreach joins forces with PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness Program) to help the homeless in Yakima through the creation of the "1st R Group". While work with the homeless can be divided into three stages: rescue, recovery, and restoration, the work of La Casa Hogar focuses on the first R - Rescue. The group's purpose is to more effectively utilize limited resources through coordinating resources and services with other community organizations that are targeting the immediate needs of the homeless.

Interfaith Outreach Services offers emergency assistance with utilities, prescriptions, gasoline, transportation and other miscellaneous needs such as replacement of identification, securing original birth certificates, and clothing from the clothing bank. Working in partnership with other agencies, we provide information and referral services as well. Our agency is considered a last resort resource for those in need who may have fallen through the cracks of other agencies.

Emergency Services Outreach is held Monday through Friday 1:30- 3:30 at La Casa Hogar. Each person requesting assistance is interviewed to determine his or her specific needs. Services are then provided through an established voucher system. Families and individuals may receive assistance three times per year. We require photo identification, and for gasoline allotments we require a valid driver’s license.

Interfaith Outreach Service's goal is to extend the caring hand and warm heart of the church and community to those who come to La Casa Hogar seeking assistance with an urgent need. Our service grows out of respect for the dignity of all people founded in our various religious traditions.

Donations toward this effort may be made direct to La Casa Hogar/Yakima Interfaith Coalition or to your faith community's outreach work of Yakima Interfaith Coalition, 1st R Group. For meeting time and location contact information@lacasahogar.org. Volunteers are also needed. The Outreach volunteers are currently working on securing resources for showers, laundry, new boots, and medicines.

Our sincere thanks to Thrivent Financial Services, who through the Central Lutheran Church provided $500 worth of canned protein products, warm socks, and hats. Our appreciation as well goes to the Unitarian Universalist Church whose members have collected $171 in pocket change, which will help our homeless clients with showers and medicines.

Clothing Bank

Clothing donations are received Monday through Friday 9-3:30 at 106 So. 6th Street. We request that clothing be in good condition, clean, and in season. The clothes are given to people in need free of charge on Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am-12:00 noon.

Program Goals

FOR CHILDREN
Prepare children for a successful transition into kindergarten.

FOR YOUTH
Provide programs which academically enrich and support youth to achieve their full educational potential

FOR PARENTS
Assist and education parents so that they are ready to be active participants in support of their children's education.

FOR WOMEN
La Casa graduates are leaders in the community, training others, managing La Casa and replicating the program in other sites.

Strategic Program Goals:

• Expand collaboration and partnerships to more fully serve women and children
• Develop and enhance organizational leadership capacity at all levels: students, staff, and board
• Engage investors in the vision and mission La Casa Hogar Yakima Interfaith Coalition

2007 Annual Activity Report

Educational Services

Emergency Services and Clothing Bank

Volunteers served 1,492 Hours