Casa Familiar

Casa Familiar’s First Female Board Chair is Leading with Heart

Abraham Valdez — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 17:57:49 +0000

Anita Dharapuram helping to guide Casa Familiar as the community nonprofit marks its 50th year

BY CASA FAMILIAR

AUG. 21, 2023 3:51 PM PT

As the first female board chair of San Ysidro-based nonprofit Casa Familiar, Anita Dharapuram is right in her element, helping to elevate underserved communities and create new opportunities for people of color.

Dharapuram has worked for more than two decades in the nonprofit and financial sectors, developing and growing programs designed to provide underserved communities with everything they need to thrive.

In her current role as community development officer for PNC Bank, she advances the company’s efforts to improve neighborhoods and quality of life for low-to-moderate income people through strategies that include partnering with nonprofits on programs that help build generational wealth.

It’s no surprise that she’s passionate about Casa, which is celebrating its 50th year of changing lives in south San Diego neighborhoods. The organization serves individuals and families in historically disinvested communities, offering programs and services that include affordable housing, youth education and outreach, environmental sustainability initiatives and much more.

Dharapuram said Casa has deep roots in the community and has consistently earned the trust of the people it serves. That rare kind of connection has had an incredible effect on Casa’s growth and impact.

“We are using this amazingly unique framework to build really effective programs, and we’re doing it with heart,” she said.

Dharapuram didn’t grow up determined to be a champion for underserved communities, but her focus changed after 9/11, when she saw the racial profiling that followed.

“Being a child of immigrants who grew up on the East Coast, that was a very profound moment for me,” she said. “I did a lot of soul searching and decided to close my business and get a master’s degree in nonprofit administration, knowing it could be a great avenue for addressing systemic racism.”

Dharapuram said along the way she learned “it’s not just about dismantling racism, it’s about providing access and providing alternative ways to help communities of color thrive.”

That’s the continuing focus at Casa as it passes its half-century mark. Dharapuram and her colleagues on the board are shaping a new strategy for growth that will lead to even greater community impact in the next 50 years.

“This board of directors, with all its talent and experience, is perfectly positioned to take Casa to the next level,” Dharapuram said. “I feel very blessed and so excited to lead a group that is doing so much good in San Diego.”

She said one of Casa’s most exciting new projects is La Semilla, an award-winning innovation incubator and demonstration park in San Ysidro that fosters affordable climate resiliency strategies. The space has special features like EV charging stations, solar, urban farming areas and micro mobility strategies, as well as programs that help cultivate environmentally resilient practices that can be replicated by the community.

Another impressive initiative, Dharapuram said, is the Avanzando San Ysidro Community Land Trust (ASYCLT), designed to create stable housing options to keep people in underserved communities from being displaced and to help build generational wealth. Through the CLT, Casa will build 103 units of affordable housing to be converted into ownership after 15 years.

On Oct. 7, Casa will celebrate its 50-year milestone with Casa Fest, a day of live music, art vendors, food, and drinks at Waterfront Park. Tickets are available on Casa’s website. The event will include a short program highlighting Casa’s journey so far, along with its vision for the future, including a new logo that will be unveiled that afternoon.

“For me, birthdays and anniversaries are a great time for celebration and reflection,” Dharapuram said. “This is an incredible moment to celebrate the impact Casa has had and to take stock as we get ready for the next 50 years, continuing to build a sustainable community that thrives and grows.”

Read article at The San Diego Union Tribune

San Diego’s $10 Million Win: Affordable Housing and Enhanced Mobility

Abraham Valdez — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 19:53:27 +0000

San Diego has secured an impressive $10 million from a statewide funding pool of $30 million, thanks to a highly effective public-private partnership. This collaboration between the city, county, SANDAG, Casa Familiar, National CORE, and Malik Infill Development will result in hundreds of affordable homes, increased homeownership opportunities, and improved mobility pathways for southern San Diego residents.

The Power of Collaboration:
San Diego’s success showcases the power of collaboration. By joining forces, these entities have demonstrated the potential of public-private partnerships in addressing community needs.

Deeply Affordable Homes:
The funding will enable the creation of hundreds of deeply affordable homes, providing safe and affordable housing options for residents.

Expanded Homeownership Opportunities:
The partnership also aims to expand homeownership opportunities, allowing more individuals to achieve their dreams of owning a home and contributing to community growth.

Improved Mobility Pathways:
Investments in infrastructure and connectivity will enhance transportation options, making it easier for residents to access employment, education, and essential services.

The Impact of Public-Private Partnerships:
San Diego’s achievement exemplifies the positive impact of public-private partnerships. By leveraging resources and expertise, this collaboration unlocks opportunities that benefit the entire community.

Conclusion:
San Diego’s $10 million win for affordable housing and enhanced mobility is a testament to the effectiveness of public-private partnerships. Through collaboration, the city, county, SANDAG, Casa Familiar, National CORE, and Malik Infill Development are creating a brighter future for southern San Diego residents.

La Semilla Climate Resiliency Development Project Wins Merit Award from AIA San Diego

Abraham Valdez — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 19:22:58 +0000

Casa Familiar has won the Merit Award from the American Institute for Architects (AIA) San Diego for their innovative project, La Semilla! La Semilla is a Climate Resiliency Research Center in San Ysidro, showcasing Environmental Justice in action. Congratulations to Casa Familiar, local residents, and McCullough Landscape Architects for their bold vision and community-driven approach.

More about the La Semilla Project

La Semilla is an innovation incubator space to serve as the launchpad of a neighborhood-scale environmental justice and climate resiliency readiness in the heart of the San Ysidro community. The name La Semilla, or “the seed”, refers to the potential catalyzing environmental justice efforts and interventions that can sprout from this project. The project serves as one link in a chain of shared civic spaces in the neighborhood that will provide meaningful programming and outdoor experiences.

La Semilla is a demonstration area for affordable climate resiliency strategies. Through architectural components, site features, and special programming, the space showcases community focused environmentally responsible strategies that can be replicated by the community.

The project is envisioned to tackle critical climate challenges that our environmental injustice community faces, which are air quality, clean transportation, smart sustainable building, water conservation, energy generation and conservation, and heaty food growth. Additionally, the project is designed with climate resilient and sustainable strategies that are far beyond what Title 24 voluntary measures and even LEED requires.

Alex Morgan Foundation Visit

Abraham Valdez — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 23:03:00 +0000

It was a pleasure to have SD Wave’s Alex Morgan and her foundation @alexmorganfoundation for a visit. We are excited for this partnership and for what the future projects will bring. Please watch this recap of her visit at our art gallery @thefrontartecultura and our promotoras

Casa’s 50th Anniversary featuring Tito Puente Jr.

Abraham Valdez — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:47:10 +0000

Casa Familiars celebrated its 50th anniversary and it was an unforgettable event!

We want to thank everyone who joined us and made this celebration so special.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

Check out this recap video of the event, featuring Tito Puente Jr’s amazing performance!

Abrazo 5k Walk/10k Run 2023

Abraham Valdez — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:28:57 +0000

We want to thank all of our amazing sponsors and participants who made Abrazo 2023 such a huge success! Your support and enthusiasm made this event truly unforgettable.

We couldn’t have done it without you, and we’re so grateful for your contributions. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of this incredible experience.

And for those of you who couldn’t make it, we’ve put together a recap video of the whole event so you can see what you missed. Check it out and relive Abrazo 2023!

Gustavo Bidart – Celebrating 25 years of service

Abraham Valdez — Mon, 22 May 2023 15:46:40 +0000

Gustavo Bidart has a been a staple within Casa Familiar. We thank him for his 25 years of service. This video is a huge thank you to him.

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Impact Report Casa Familiar January – June 2022

casa119 — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 19:06:49 +0000

15th Annual Dia de la Mujer

casa119 — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 22:01:53 +0000

Casa Familiar’s Impact report October – December 2021

casa119 — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 23:41:24 +0000