History of La Casa Hogar

In 1986, Patty Houts Hussey and leaders of 35 faith communities established a vision for the Yakima Interfaith Coalition that would daily serve over 50 low-income neighbors throughout Yakima. By 1988, the Yakima Interfaith Coalition became a 501c3 nonprofit charity. La Casa Hogar was envisioned by Ninfa Gutierrez as a “home” for Latina women and children to find community and pursue education to strengthen themselves, their families and this community. The work and dreams of Gloria de Martinez, an educator in the Yakima School District, served as a model of hope for developing this vision. Under the direction of the second Executive Director, Rosanne Fisher-Pineda, both basic needs and educational services were strengthened.

In 2011, the emergency services department began being transferred to Yakima Neighborhood Health Services and the transfer was complete by 2014. In 2012, “La Casa Hogar” became the official name of the organization, remaining focused on the mission of educational services for immigrant families and extending relationships with business, faith, education and health and the general community.

		2018 Began La Escuelita Project to Build a Classroom in La Casa Hogar’s Backyard
2018 La Casa’s Citizenship Classes Help 245 Participants Become United States Citizens in 2018 Alone
		2018 Interambio Language Exchange Established, Allowing English and Spanish-Fluent Community Members to Teach and Learn from Each Other in Guided Exercises
2017 Initiated Citizenship Program Replication Project, Training Local Organizations and Former Students to Offer More Citizenship Classes Throughout Region
		2015-2018 Organization Restructured and Infrastructure Renovated to Realign with Our Mission to Educate and Connect Latina Families
2014 La Casa Gained Board of Immigration Appeals (Dept. of Justice) Recognition Luz Monroy Became First Person in City of Yakima to Obtain Accreditation
		2014 Legal Services Component of Citizenship Program Launched
2013 Emergency Services Department Transferred to Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, Allowing La Casa to Focus on Education and Community Networking with Latina Families
		2012 Officially Renamed “La Casa Hogar” Mission Focused and Refined
2010 Early Learning Curriculum Implemented to Enhance Childcare Services with Structured Pre-School Educational Model
		2005-2007 Focus on Emergency Housing to Combat Yakima Homelessness
2003 First “Connecting Communities Fiesta” Event Held to Grow and Strengthen Our Community
		2002 Computer Lab Established to Teach Digital Literacy
1998 Relationship with Yakima Valley College Established
1988 Yakima Interfaith Coalition Becomes 501c3 Nonprofit Charity
		1986 35 Faith Communities Established the Vision of the Yakima Interfaith Coalition to Daily Serve Over 50 Low-Income Neighbors throughout Yakima