Transitional Housing Programs

Mi Casa

In fall of 1998, Consejo opened the Mi Casa Transitional Housing Program, providing a semi-confidential, transitional residence for Spanish-speaking women and their children who are seeking safety from domestic violence. Mi Casa can house up to four families at a time in this shared-living, community residence, and survivors can stay for up to two years if their situation so requires. Surrounded by other women who have shared not only similar experiences, but share similar language, culture, traditions and even culinary tastes as well, survivors are able to address their safety needs, long-term self-sufficiency plans, as well as begin the process of healing, in a nurturing, supportive atmosphere.

• Women's Advocate
  In order to support survivors' goals of self-sufficiency and safety, a full-time Women's Advocate is on site at the residence to provide ongoing support. In addition to safe housing, families also receive case management, supportive services, parenting education, ESL classes, support groups, and employment services. All services provided by the Women's Advocate are individualistic, client-centered, and follow the advocacy-based counseling, empowerment-based model of client service delivery.

• Children's Advocate
  The child advocate's primary purpose is to address and meet the multifaceted and crucial needs of the children in each resident family who have witnessed or experienced acts of domestic violence. The Children's Advocate is in charge of conducting weekly children's support groups, as well as working with the parent to ensure the children's basic needs (medical, clothing, etc.) are met. The Children's Advocate also acts as a liaison with the school for issues of placement, attendance, academics, and social adjustment. During school breaks, the Children's Advocate schedules children's programming activities, as well as year-round recreational activities and field trips

Villa Esperanza

Owned and operated by Consejo Counseling and Referral Service, Villa Esperanza (Villa of Hope) is a 23 unit newly constructed two- and three-bedroom apartment complex providing transitional housing for homeless Latina survivors of domestic violence and their children. The overall facility is 26,000 square-feet with two residential buildings and a common building. Within the common building there is a children’s play room that will be stocked with therapeutic, educational, culturally relevant, non-violent toys. The community room is a setting for trainings, peer support, social activities, and group meetings. There are three counseling and administrative offices plus a laundry facility. Security at Villa Esperanza is very important and ensured by a variety of design elements.