CASA (Centro de Ayuda Solidaria) Latina seeks to empower Latino immigrants through educational and economic opportunities.

Description:
CASA Latina serves Latino immigrants primarily in the downtown corridor. Its programs include: a Day Workers' Center, an ESL program, computer education programs, employment workshops, a Wage Claim Project, Women's support groups and child education. The organization focuses on empowering the entire Latino family in order to empower the community.

History:
CASA Latina was founded in 1994 in response to the growing number of homeless Latino day laborers in the Belltown neighborhood. For a number of years Latino day laborers have gathered on the streets of Belltown searching for work, but changes in the neighborhood caused this to become undesirable situation. CASA Latina began to organize the workers and dispatch jobs, creating some order and safety for the workers. Shortly after ESL classes were started at the Millionaire's Club and were moved in 1998 when the Day Workers' Center was opened in conjunction with the City of Seattle and the Belltown Business Association. The ESL classes were then split into morning and evening classes (at Gethsemane Lutheran Church) to provide more learning opportunities. A year later the first women's support group and child education program was opened. This program was later expanded when two new groups opened (in Burien and the Central District), as a result of need growing need in South King County. CASA Latina is continuing to look for ways to grow, primarily to respond to the growing need and number of Latinos in the Seattle area.

Contact people:

Hilary Stern, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Palmira Figueroa, Fundraising Associate, (phone), (email) Emily Gaggia, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206)956-0780

Address:

220 Blanchard St. Seattle, WA 98121 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.casa-latina.org

Directions:

CASA Latina is located in Belltown on 3rd and Blanchard.

Miscellaneous Information

Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes