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 The La Casa de Amistad staff and Board of Directors are thrilled to announce the appointment of Sean O'Brien to Director of Immigration Legal Services. Attorney Sean O'Brien took the helm, effective January 20th. This position is fully funded by an anonymous donor and allows La Casa to provide unparalleled legal expertise to our community members navigating a complex immigration legal system.
La Casa's Immigration Legal Clinic fields nearly 8,000 intake calls annually and facilitated 309 cases through completion in 2024. Sean O'Brien will join a talented team of two Department of Justice Accredited Representatives and two immigration program assistants dedicated to providing low-cost, sometimes free, legal support to those in need from over 80 countries. Sean O'Brien brings more than two decades of experience in immigration law and human rights advocacy to La Casa de Amistad. He holds Bachelor's, Master's, and Law degrees from the University of Notre Dame and is fluent in Spanish and French. His distinguished career includes a recent role as a Senior Attorney for Monterrosa Law Group where he specialized in removal defense, asylum, U-visas, T-visas, and family immigration. Sean has also served as an educator at the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he directed human rights programs and mentored international legal professionals for nearly fifteen years. He is an elected official and currently serves as the Clay Township Trustee. Sean's background also includes working with survivors of torture and war trauma, litigating human rights cases at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and directing immigration legal service programs. His legal expertise and dedication to empowering vulnerable communities make him an invaluable leader for the clinic and the South Bend region's immigrant community. For questions or interviews, contact Juan Constantino at [email protected].
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 As a community center founded on community empowerment and dedicated to supporting youth and their families, we are deeply familiar with vulnerability. In times of uncertainty, the future may be unclear, but one thing remains constant: we have each other. The strength of our Latino and immigrant community is rooted in a shared history, a collective struggle, and an unshakable sense of solidarity. Whether navigating the challenges of immigration, enduring the hardships and losses brought on by a global pandemic, or confronting the divisive rhetoric that threatens our safety, we place our trust in the power of our collective resilience. Together, we rise—united by our ability to come together in times of need, always moving forward with hope, determination, and an unwavering belief in one another.
No one in our community will face challenges alone. We are committed to ensuring that everyone receives the support they need, whether that’s connecting individuals with food resources, legal assistance, emotional support, or simply offering a kind word. In solidarity, we stand together. Call us today to connect with our Social Service Coordinators and learn more about the resources and programs available at La Casa de Amistad. We offer services such as city resident I.D. cards, legal services, a driver safety simulator, citizenship classes, digital assistance, and access to additional bilingual social services, health resources, and community education. We are here to help you access the support you need! We believe one way to face adversity is to be prepared. By educating ourselves and understanding our rights, we can prevent harm before it arrives. If you have concerns about your rights or need guidance on important documents—such as letters of attorney for guardianship or securing your family’s estate—please don’t hesitate to contact us. Planning ahead is power. It allows us to create a foundation of security and safety for our families. Our strength lies in looking out for one another. If you’re seeking to join a network of mutual aid—where we share information, raise awareness, and take coordinated action to protect and empower our community—please reach out to Dara Marquez at [email protected].   Written by Dara Marquez, Director of Community Engagement for La Casa de Amistad in South Bend, Indiana La Casa de Amistad was established in 1973 during a crucial period of Hispanic heritage in this country, emerging from the Civil Rights struggles and political activism of the 1960s and 70s. This era saw the rise of the Chicano Movement and various Latino advocacy groups who fought tirelessly for civil rights, improved labor conditions, and greater political representation. Leaders like César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and the founders of La Casa de Amistad, along with the Hispanic leaders of our region, played pivotal roles in advancing farmworkers' rights, immigrant rights, and shaping our present lives. When I look at images of these trailblazing leaders, I often wonder about their conversations. I imagine they were not so different from the discussions we have today at La Casa de Amistad. Our community has always been filled with bold visionaries, and the founding and preservation of our community center is a testament to that spirit. For 51 years, our region has been home to countless families, each contributing to our rich history and growing diversity. From the late 20th century to the present day, we have seen thousands of families put down roots here, transforming our community with their talents, dreams, and aspirations. We are a mosaic of many experiences and possibilities, continuously evolving and shaping our future, and we are honored to celebrate that this month. As I look to the future, both as part of La Casa de Amistad and as an individual, I am inspired by the possibilities ahead. Hispanic Heritage continues to evolve, and so do we. We ask ourselves every day what it means to sustain a community center for generations to come, and how to innovate and address the pressing issues through service, education, and advocacy. It is essential to continue this celebration to ensure that future generations appreciate and uphold the profound contributions of Hispanic and Latino cultures. Through our collective efforts, we honor our past and pave the way for a future that is as vibrant and impactful as our heritage.   The Board of Directors of La Casa de Amistad is thrilled to announce the title promotion of Juan Constantino to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. This promotion recognizes Juan's leadership and dedication to the organization as he completes three highly successful years as Executive Director and after eight years of commitment to the mission of La Casa de Amistad.
Under Juan's leadership, La Casa de Amistad has experienced remarkable growth in every aspect of its operations. Over the past three years, the organization's fundraising efforts have substantially increased, which has paved the way for expanded services and remarkable impact on the Latino community. With Juan Constantino at the helm, significant financial growth has enabled La Casa de Amistad to nearly double the size of the team and strengthen each core program in Youth, Legal, and Family Services. Additionally, the team growth has led to creating pathways for more staff to receive internal promotion opportunities in becoming area coordinators, managers, or Directors to reach new heights in their careers. During Juan’s tenure as Executive Director, the number of families served at La Casa de Amistad has increased significantly. Notable achievements in outreach include:
Quote from Darla Hernandez Lippert, Chair of Board of Directors: “Juan’s promotion to CEO is a testament to his unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to our community. Over the past three years, he has guided La Casa de Amistad through tremendous growth, ensuring that more families than ever before receive the support and resources they need. His strategic vision has not only strengthened our existing programs but also paved the way for innovative initiatives that address the evolving needs of our community. We are confident that under Juan’s continued leadership, La Casa will reach even greater heights. The Board and I are incredibly proud of his achievements and excited for the future of our organization.” Juan Constantino’s promotion to CEO marks a new chapter for La Casa de Amistad as the organization continues to build on its successes and expand its reach. The Board of Directors, staff, and community partners congratulate Juan Constantino and look forward to his continued leadership in this role. La Casa de Amistad’s mission is to empower the Latino/Hispanic community within Michiana by providing education, cultural, and advocacy services in a welcoming, bilingual environment. For more information about La Casa de Amistad, please visit lacasadeamistad.org or call (574) 233-2120.  South Bend, Indiana, March 19, 2024 – Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced La Casa de Amistad as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. La Casa de Amistad received $2 million.
La Casa de Amistad is driven by an unwavering passion to empower the Latino community in the South Bend, Indiana region through bilingual education, cultural enrichment, and advocacy. By offering more than 20 evidenced-based programs, we offer a welcoming environment where Latino immigrants can thrive and fully participate in all aspects of community life. Our 50-year history has allowed us to build deep trust with our community, positioning us to bring our vision to life. We understand the obstacles faced by Latino immigrants firsthand, as the majority of our staff and leadership are first-generation Latino immigrants themselves. This unique perspective enables us to amplify the voices and needs of those we serve. We are dedicated to eliminating barriers to success, such as language, literacy, social exclusion, education deficits, and insecure employment, through our comprehensive range of services including youth development, legal aid, language learning, and digital literacy. In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. Juan Constantino, Executive Director of La Casa de Amistad "The future of La Casa de Amistad and the families we serve is bright. We are here to make sure of it. We are extremely grateful for the recognition and funding of $2,000,000 by Yield Giving. This $2,000,000 unrestricted grant is the highest award in our organization's history. It will be transformational in the way we are able to plan for the future and adapt to the needs of our growing Latino and immigrant populations in South Bend." The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause, and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount. La Casa de Amistad was among an even small number of awardees who had their grant award doubled from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change "We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations. In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.” More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org.   Written by Dara Marquez, Director of Community Engagement for La Casa de Amistad in South Bend, Indiana At the age of fifteen I was introduced to the term “Beloved Community,” as Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) described it. At the time, residents of South Central Elkhart, the neighborhood in which I grew up in, were taking a stand against a project to demolish what is now known as the Historic Roosevelt Center. The preservation of the building would bring about affordable housing for low-income families, maintain the integrity of its location at the heart of the neighborhood, and bring forth new community spaces for fellowship and engagement. I come from a family line of community advocates and organizers, so naturally my uncle and dad jumped into the community efforts to stop the center’s demolition that was a few blocks from our home. At the time I asked, "What is so important about this building?" I remember my dad’s response being the first time he encouraged my intuition and critical thinking. He told me, “It is not about the building, but more about what it will transform if we come together and win! All we have to do is care.” I realize that I haven’t stopped caring since then.
The “Beloved Community” as I have learned from it over the years, is a group of people that cares and acts with reconciliation in their hearts to drive change. La Casa de Amistad has become a “Beloved Community” for those that serve through it, or support it every day to drive changes in community practices, service access, and policies. We head into 2024, and our 51st year in existence, with much pride and hope for what we can become with and for our Latino, Hispanic, and immigrant communities. It doesn’t come without its challenges, as we continue to see compromise and barriers against the thousands of lives that we serve every day. With each day, before and after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we recommit to the community that stands for the transformation that will ensure a better quality of life for all. A life that does not entertain bigotry or violence against the most vulnerable. Thank you for trusting La Casa de Amistad to be the partner and safe space you need to begin or act on transformation. It is our commitment to challenge and reconcile for the betterment of our community, and for the future generations we serve. I wish everyone a reflective and transformative Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Que viva la gente pobre y desposeída! Que vivan los trabajadores inmigrantes! Que viva el futuro sin racismo y pobreza!  On the eve of our organization's 50th Anniversary, La Casa de Amistad was notified that we were awarded the largest grant in the organization's history. A $1,000,000 grant has been awarded to La Casa de Amistad by Lilly Endowment Inc. to strengthen our youth programs across a three-year timeline. We are humbled and honored to accept this Lilly Endowment award. Executive Director Juan Constantino is overjoyed to share the news with you, our biggest supporters: ""We are thrilled to receive this transformational gift from Lilly Endowment to support the youth and families at La Casa de Amistad. This gift is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteers. It will amplify our impact on the future of our youth, families, and community." The $1 million grant will give La Casa de Amistad the opportunity to expand youth programs for K-12 bilingual students and their families, invest in classroom technology, improve our kitchen facilities, hire more staff with specializations in mental health, volunteer management, and parent engagement, and build a playground. The program is being funded through Lilly Endowment's initiative, Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana. The aim of the competitive initiative is to help youth-serving organizations working throughout Indiana improve their abilities to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people, ages five through 18. This extraordinary grant only provides funding to improve youth programs. We rely on the generosity of donors to ensure that all programs run effectively each year. Consider giving La Casa de Amistad a Congratulatory donation online to celebrate our new endeavors.   We were devastated to learn of the shooting this past weekend during a time when we should be celebrating and uplifting the history, culture, diversity, and contributions of the Hispanic community in our city. Celebrations can happen in many different ways, and how we acknowledge and give visibility to our pride and joy matters. The shooting this weekend was unacceptable and harmful to the families that make up our community.
The shooting took place in the heart of our West Side community, where families live, work, go to school, play, and worship. Vehicles, homes, and people were impacted by bullets, where families should be safe and comfortable. Families and their children should never fear for their safety, especially during a time of joy and celebration. Our families and community deserve better than this. As we learn from this incident, we encourage our community members to not sit back and allow violence to escalate in our neighborhoods. Our mission at La Casa de Amistad is to empower the Latino, Hispanic, and immigrant communities through education, culture, and advocacy in a welcoming bilingual environment. It is our role to serve our community through its social concerns and advocate for the changes we need to ensure families are safe and thriving. We encourage anyone with concerns or information around this incident to speak up and invite you to advocate for the safety of our community with us. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP. La Casa de Amistad thanks the Mayor’s Office and the South Bend Police Department for working with our City’s community organizations and leaders as the investigation continues. St. Adalbert Catholic Church will be hosting a prayer service today, Sept. 20 at 6:30 PM, for anyone who would like to join in solidarity. If you have any other inquiries or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at 574-233-2120. #LaCasaEsTuCasa ------- Quedamos devastados al enterarnos del tiroteo el fin de semana pasado durante un momento en el que deberíamos celebrar y resaltar la historia, la cultura, la diversidad y las contribuciones de la comunidad Hispana en nuestra ciudad. Las celebraciones se pueden llevar a cabo de varias maneras, y es importante cómo reconocemos y damos visibilidad a nuestro orgullo y alegría. El tiroteo de este fin de semana fue inaceptable y perjudicó a las familias que son parte de nuestra comunidad. El tiroteo tuvo lugar en el corazón de nuestra comunidad del West Side, donde las familias viven, trabajan, van a la escuela, juegan y van a misa. Vehículos, casas y personas fueron impactadas por las balas, donde las familias deberían estar seguras y cómodas. Las familias y sus hijos nunca deben temer por su seguridad, especialmente durante un momento de alegría y celebración. Nuestras familias y comunidad merecen mucho mejor. A medida que aprendemos de este incidente, animamos a los miembros de nuestra comunidad a no quedarse sentados y permitir que la violencia aumente en nuestras comunidades. Nuestra misión en La Casa de Amistad es empoderar a las comunidades Latinas, Hispanas e inmigrantes a través de la educación, la cultura y la abogacía en un ambiente bilingüe acogedor. Nuestro papel en la comunidad es servir a través de las preocupaciones sociales y abogar por los cambios que necesitamos para garantizar que las familias estén seguras y sean prósperas. Motivamos a cualquier persona que tenga inquietudes o información sobre este incidente a que hable. Les invitamos a defender la seguridad de nuestra comunidad con nosotros. Se recomienda que cualquier persona que tenga información se comunique con Michiana Crime Stoppers al 574-288-STOP. La Casa de Amistad agradece a la Oficina del Alcalde y al Departamento de Policía de South Bend por trabajar con las organizaciones y líderes comunitarios de nuestra ciudad mientras continúa la investigación. St. Adalbert Catholic Church organizará un servicio de oración hoy, 20 de septiembre a las 6:30 p.m., para cualquiera que desee unirse en solidaridad. Si tiene alguna otra consulta o comentario, no dude en contactarnos al 574-233-2120. #LaCasaEsTuCasa On June 21, 2021, La Casa de Amistad opened its doors to our new and current site on S. Michigan St. Today marks two years of being open, growth, development, changes, challenges, and continued support toward our Latino, Hispanic, and immigrant communities.
To everyone involved, Happy Opening Anniversary Day! Here’s to two years in our space and to many more. Thank you for the commitment everyone. None of our work is possible without YOU. If you haven’t already, please reach out to plan a tour, get involved, or ask to get on our mailing list to stay tuned on future events and projects. Thank you everyone for everything you have done to support our Community Center and thank you in advanced for your continued support down the road. We are seeking high-energy, driven interns and volunteers for our summer youth camps from June to August, M-F 12-6PM. Interning with La Casa de Amistad offers a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience, make a meaningful impact in the community, and develop essential skills while contributing to a cause greater than oneself. The full position details are below with information on how to apply. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.  Summer Youth Programs Assistant Internship
JOB TITLE: Summer Youth Assistant Internship LOCATION: La Casa de Amistad, Inc. DATES OF POSITION: Early June to Mid August (week of July 4 off) TIME COMMITMENT: 9 to 10 weeks, usually M-F 12PM-6PM but may change depending on planning plus some weekend family events and field trips SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Summer Youth Coordinator Assistant will help organize and manage La Casa de Amistad’s summer programs, Crece Conmigo (2-5 grade), Florecer (6-8 grade) and Adelante (9-12 grade). This unique position requires lots of energy and involves working with children and youth between the ages of 6 and 17 years old while using organizational and creative skills. SUPERVISOR: Humberto Delgado, Assistant Executive Director/Director of Youth Programs Lizeth Ochoa, Crece Conmigo Coordinator Gladys Rosas, Florecer Coordinator DUTIES:
BENEFITS:
QUALIFICATIONS:
TRAINING PROVIDED: On the job training will be provided for each project and/or activity. Please contact 574-233-2120 for more questions. Submit your cover letter and resume to La Casa de Amistad in person or via email to: [email protected]. Position posted until filled. |
