About
What Is It?
A safe place for children in crisis due to abuse, neglect, or the effects of HIV. Casa de Esperanza provides residential care, and coordinates medical and psychological services according to the needs of each child.
Help Needed:
Collect basic needs or items for welcome packages; students may propose other projects.
Details
Minimum Age to Volunteer
In general, volunteers must be 18 to participate in hands-on activities with the children, but volunteers of all ages may collect items. The agency may also consider one-time group projects with volunteers under 18.
Time Commitment
Varies, depending on project
Suitable for Groups of Volunteers?
Yes
Training Needed
Instructions will be provided at time of service.
Help Needed
COLLECT BASIC NEEDS ITEMS
A current list is on the charity’s website, but needed items usually include:
Paper/Plastic Items: paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex / facial tissue, kitchen trash bags, ziploc bags
Diapers: diapers (all sizes, especially 4,5,6), pull-ups (L & XL), diaper wipes.
Household Items: liquid hand soap, Clorox disinfecting wipes, bath towels and twin sheets (neutral colored), Bed-in-a-Bag (twin size for both adults and children), duffle bag or rolling suitcase.
COLLECT ITEMS FOR WELCOME PACKAGES
Children typically come to Casa with only the clothes they are wearing. The children need some basic items when they arrive; they will take these personal items with them when they leave. Welcome package items may be donated individually or as a complete package.
Basic Welcome Package: digital thermometer (non-ear) & covers; nail clippers; Cetaphil lotion; toothbrush & toothpaste; hair brush or comb; shampoo & conditioner; children’s sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher); children’s plastic bowls, spoons, & forks; (for girls: hair elastics, barrettes, & bows).
Baby Welcome Package: bottles/nipples, pacifiers, sleep sacks (Halo brand), teething rings, rattles, onesies.
Clothing Welcome Package: pajamas, socks & underwear, some new clothes (sizes newborn – children’s size 10; lighter weight for Houston weather), new shoes (sizes newborn – children’s size 13), lightweight jacket.
SPONSOR A CHILD AND/OR FAMILY
Each year, Casa volunteers help make the holidays special for more than 400 children. In November, Casa can provide a list of each child’s wishes as well as his/her clothing sizes and needs. Holiday sponsors help by giving a child or family one — or more — of their needs. Contact Casa for more information.
GROUP VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
The agency may consider one-time service projects that students propose, depending on the children’s and the agency’s’ particular needs at that time. Possible projects include: an activity morning or afternoon for the children; lunch or dinner for the “neighborhood” (the community of children and caregivers); yard or house maintenance projects; or planning and execution of a fundraising event.
Contact Details
Contact
Mikaela Fox, Volunteer Coordinator
Email: volunteer@casahope.org
Phone: (713) 529-0639
You can also contact Casa de Esperanza through its Contact Us Page.
Website
https://www.casahope.org/Additional Information
Casa de Esperanza Video (3 1/2 minutes) (2015):
Examples of past Scout projects
Created re-entry care packages with basic goods such as diapers, wipes, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, and gently-used handbags or costume jewelry (as a “treat” for the often single mom) to give to client families when children leave Casa.
Eagle: Matthew W. (Troop 266) donated 100 duffle bags filled with personal items such as toothpaste, shampoo, and eating sets.
Gold Award: Carli S. raised funds to provide each house with $2,500 worth of new kitchen supplies. (2016)
Gallery
I haven’t done a whole lot with Casa so far, but the children are really sweet and often come from very difficult backgrounds – it’s a great cause and perfect for donating baby supplies/other items!
It seems from reading this description that it’s hard for teens to volunteer here, and it’s true that Casa de Esperanza doesn’t really seek out teen volunteers, but you can contact them and ask what they need. Do they have a week when there’s not much going on? If you have an idea for your group, like some kind of lunch or project or party they will definitely consider it.