Casita Maria's mission is to empower youth and their families by creating a culture of learning through high quality social, cultural, and educational opportunities.

Description and/or History:
Since Casita Maria was founded in 1934, it has continued to be the beacon of hope for the many disadvantaged youth, families and seniors it has continued to serve for more than 70 years. One of the oldest settlement houses established to serve the needs of the predominantly Hispanic community of the South Bronx and East Harlem, Casita’s mission has been to facilitate access to education and community resources that would assist individuals towards future success. Casita has a well-established reputation for its effective, culturally responsive, and bilingual (English/Spanish) services, delivered by a sensitive and knowledgeable staff.

Casita operates its current After School and Out of School Time program and Family Services, at its headquarters of more than forty years, in the Hunts Point district of The South Bronx and for the elderly, through its 102nd Street site in East Harlem - "El Barrio".

Collaborations with arts-based partners during the past two years has heightened the structure of its programs to encompass a culturally diverse curriculum in the arts, dance, drama, literacy and Job Readiness.

Over the next 3 years, Casita Maria will be in transition as it prepares for the construction of a newly proposed arts and educational facility in conjunction with the New York City Department of Education on Casita’s Bronx property.

Contact people:

Sarah Calderon, Executive Director, (718) 589-2230, (email) Norma Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant, (718) 589-2230, (email)

Address:

928 Simpson Street Bronx, NY 10459 (See a map)

Directions:

Take the 2/5 to Simpson Street.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 2/5,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5