To offer a welcoming place that affirms the dignity of each person. We provide a safe and supportive home to achieve safety and stability for individuals and families going through the asylum process. There are an estimated 1,500 individuals living in Minnesota and the Dakotas in the asylum hearing process. There are currently eight residents at Casa from Columbia, Kenya, Oman, Rwanda, and Uganda.
It has not changed our organization or our mission or efforts. It has meant adjustments to wearing masks in common areas of the house and adjustments to the two separate instances of positive COVID test for residents over the last few months (currently everyone is testing negative). We have also had to pause on holding open houses for supporters and potential supporters to connect everyone and our work more closely together.
Our biggest needs include volunteers to work with residents who would be able to provide background information and support them through investment options as they begin to earn money and think about investing, to guide them as they fill out federal and state taxes, to guide them on the process of applying for a driver's license, getting some behind the wheel training, shopping for a good deal on a car, to share effective ways to search for apartments, and to just be a sounding board as they work through unfamiliar processes.
For Casa as an organization volunteers who could offer guidance on diversifying revenue streams to reduce dependence on any particular source and offer advice on public relations.Please contact Dave Haley at 651-208-0259 if you are interested in becoming a volunteer with Casa Guadalupana.We are in the process of setting up a Wish List of important needs that we hope people may be able to support us with. That will be available soon. Early examples of items that will be on this list are dress pants for job interviews and 4G WIFI extender for an individual computer.
One resident arrived in Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan. He had obtained a scholarship from the Rwandan government. Upon landing, he learned the government had withdrawn the scholarship. Figuring if he returned home, he was likely to be detained or worse, he got in contact with a member of the Rwandan commuity in the Twin Cities. Casa was contacted and we had an opening. He arrived roughly 17 months agao. In that time he has obtained an attorney through The Advocates for Human Rights; has filed an application for asylum; passed the credible fear hearing; applied for and received his work permit; started classes at St. Paul College for a computer technology degree; started a full complement of classes in January 2021 and will secure a part-time job to cover school costs and build up his funds to eventually find permanent housing. In addition, he has a couple of families from the Twin Cities he has meet and stays in contact with, getting invitation to holiday gatherings.
A second resident is a university student well on his way to earning a mechanical engineering degree. His government funding was also discontinued.Returning home would have meant probable detention. Without the funding, he lost housing, became homeless, and was sleeping in classrooms at the University of Minnesota. He has now lived at Casa for 20 months. His outlook has stabilized, he has earned enough money to pay tuition for the final two semesters, has been readmitted for the spring 2021 semester, and is on track to receive his degree and participate in graduation ceremonies in December 2021.