When people think about Casita, they often picture full plates of food, classrooms filled with learning, and the everyday moments that shape the lives of our children and moms. What’s less visible – but just as essential – are the projects that quietly hold everything together: the renovations, reinforcements, and structural improvements that keep our home safe.
In these images, you can see the damage that the main columns of the corridor had, which are the foundation of the house.
Our Chief of Operations, Henry Maldonado, who is currently overseeing these renovation efforts, put it best:
“The projects that aren’t always seen are often the most important. Because they are the ones that protect, care for, and sustain everything we do day by day. Thanks to them, we can rely on safer spaces for the development of our activities, reducing risks, preventing structural damage, and avoiding possible accidents that could affect both our children and the structures themselves.”
I couldn’t agree more.
During our analyses, we realized that what was missing were the water collection channels, which serve several immediate and long-term functions. In the short term, collecting and channeling rainwater prevents it from overflowing into the drainage ditches where it is gathered; looking ahead, the channels are important for collecting water for the cistern we dream of having.
At Casita, our responsibility goes far beyond feeding and teaching. We are caretakers of a home – a place where children and women should feel protected, at peace, and truly safe. That means investing not only in programs, but also in the walls that surround them, the land that supports them, and the infrastructure that allows daily life to unfold securely.
Over the past months, we’ve been working on several important renovations, including projects like gabions, drainage, and other structural improvements that may not catch the eye right away, but are critical for long-term safety and sustainability.
We are incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club, who last summer visited Casita with a group of dedicated teenagers. Not only did they donate part of the materials needed for this work, but they also rolled up their sleeves and helped start the construction of the gabions themselves. Their hands-on support made a real and lasting impact on our home.
This is a before-and-after image of the installation of the gabions: an important structure to prevent the soil from continuing to erode and, at the same time, to keep excessive rainwater from reaching the drainage ditch, since it serves as a natural filtering system.
We also want to give special recognition to RetailROI, whose support has been instrumental in making these renovations possible. RetailROI has been a partner of Casita for over a decade, and their generosity has extended far beyond a single project. Through their significant financial contributions, we’ve been able to move forward with multiple improvements that strengthen and protect our home. Their long-term commitment to Casita is a powerful reminder of what true partnership looks like.
In the image above, you can see the drainage ditch on one side of the house, which, when it rained, would fill up completely and even overflow, affecting not only the perimeter wall of our property but also the neighbors on that side. By repairing it, we are preventing a disaster such as the wall collapsing.
All of this work is deeply meaningful because five years ago, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we were able to purchase our home. This milestone was the realization of our founder’s biggest dream. Emily envisioned a forever home – a place of stability, dignity, and belonging for the children and women we serve. Through her determination and the support of an incredible community, that dream became a reality.
Today, we owe it to Emily, to our children and moms, and to everyone who has ever believed in Casita, to care for this home with the same love and intention with which it was created. Keeping it safe and beautiful ensures that it will continue to be a haven – not just for those we serve today, but for generations to come.
Thank you for helping us build what matters most, even when it isn’t always visible. If you’d like to be part of caring for the home that protects our children and moms every day, you can support our renovation efforts by making a donation here.