La Casita Learning Center Program

The La Casita Learning Center Program provides computer, GED, ESL, and college level one-on-one instruction to homeless women participating in the transitional housing program and to low-income women from the community. The families in the transitional housing program have been homeless for an average of two years, often living in overcrowded or substandard conditions with relatives or friends or in emergency shelters. The women served by La Casita, whether homeless or from the neighborhood share many of the same experiences such as low educational attainment and limited job skills. Many have experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse, and residential instability.
La Casita is a small house, located in a mid- to low-income residential neighborhood, only one block from the Visitation House transitional housing facility. It provides an atmosphere that is welcoming, non-threatening and non-institutional. In such an environment and by working one-on-one with each student, we are able to encourage and support homeless and other low-income women to overcome many of the barriers that have kept them from succeeding fully in their past educational endeavors.

Visitation House has a 25-year history of working with homeless women to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness in their lives and the lives of their children. Our experience has led us to believe that education is an essential key to breaking these cycles. This distinct focus on education has yielded positive results not only for the women but also for their children, many of whom have gone on to complete high school and college degrees. Funding will be applied where most needed in operating the La Casita Learning Center Program for homeless women and low-income women in the community. Thank you.