La Casita Foundation began in 2008 when Bertha Downing de Parajón, the Founding President, was convinced to create it. Her husband, Luis Parajón, and their daughters, Marian and Cristina, along with a group of founding volunteers, the Order of Malta, and the Parish of San Juan Bosco, supported her. The operations began at the Parish of San Juan Bosco.

“The impact we are leaving on them is enormous! They are women, grandmothers, or mothers forming their families, transmitting values, and bringing them closer to God. Many of them become volunteers as a way of thanking us for the training they received,” expressed volunteer Carola Pulido.

In 2011, La Casita began focusing on programs that aim to strengthen the dignity of women, recognizing that this is essential to empower them. Later, in 2012, La Casita established the Initiative 1-2-3: Work, Human Formation, and Family, which aimed to help women become self-sufficient and support their families.

La Casita became an independent Foundation in 2015, receiving their 501(c)3 nonprofit status that same year. They now operate in Jose Marti Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, thanks to a partnership with Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation in 2016.

“Volunteering at La Casita was really heartwarming and really allowed me to see how important it is so help others. It felt like I was part of a family and I did feel like working step-by-step made a difference. In La Casita the most important way of helping was receiving women like they were in their home. I also tutored young students and I knew that helping them academically would be positively reflected at home,” said high school senior Florencia Ureta, a volunteer.

For over 15 years, La Casita has been a place of hope for more than 1,200 women. The organization has helped these women by providing an average of 500 hours of training workshops each year. The programs are carried out with the help of over 100 dedicated volunteers. These workshops have been very helpful in strengthening women’s dignity and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to improve their lives.

La Casita Foundation has served more than 3,000 lunches annually, nourishing the body and the soul of the women who attend these programs. La Casita aims to empower women in vulnerable situations by providing them with integral training to acquire the necessary skills and tools to live a dignified life. The training aims to help them find ethical work and improve their quality of life, families, and strengthen their community.

“Volunteering at La Casita is a beautiful experience to empower women with low self-esteem and preserve their dignity. We provide workshops to teach trades like crafts and English, while also showing love, affection, and respect. At the end of each day, we reflect on Catholic and formative values. We tell the ladies they are princesses, daughters of God. When they enter, after a short time, we see significant changes in their faces, how they dress, and their joy and enthusiasm for not missing any workshop,” said former volunteer Tati Errázuriz who continues her support of the nonprofit.