Meet some of the families of Casa Luz
Mayela
I came to Casa Luz because I was pregnant; because I did not have family support and I was doing drugs, drinking and was involved in prostitution. I realized I needed to give my child a safe environment and that is why I am here in Casa Luz. I have been here for 4 years.
In being part of the Casa Luz family, I learned about the word of God; the value of being a good mother since I did not want my child. I learned to be a good mother. I was able to finish my work skill courses and begin to learn how to support myself and understand that I do not need a man to look after me. Now I know I can manage on my own and I am capable of supporting my two sons. I learned that I have rights just like everybody else. I have learned to control my temper and to respect and not make fun of others.
Today I am in the second phase in Casa Luz. Living in the apartments has given me the opportunity to stay and provide a home for my family. I am now putting into practice everything I learned in the first phase. I feel for the first time very confident in myself.
Margarita
I ran away from home because my mother physically mistreated me and I belonged to a dysfunctional family. I had to support myself through prostitution. Furthermore, my son is ill; he suffers from epilepsy idiopathic and requires constant medical care. I did not have the financial means to pay for his medical care.
I wanted to come to Casa Luz so that I could have a better future for me and for my son. That is why I made the decision to start a new life in this wonderful place where I have been offered so much support that it has been the best thing that has ever happen to me and my son. We have found wonderful people here that really care and support me and have given my son and me unconditional love.
In Casa Luz I have been able to see my son's health improve and become a normal child. When we first got here he was almost in a vegetative state. Thanks to God and the wonderful people here in Casa Luz and the donors support my son is able to attend a school for special needs children.
I have been able to work on healing myself from the inside and I believe I have become a good mother thanks to Casa Luz's staff who has guided me and continue to help me. I have taken courses to improve my work skills and I am now taking high school courses that before Casa Luz I was never able to attend.
I have been able to get to know God; he has filled my heart in spaces that were filled with hate and resentment. I believed that the world was against me because my son also came into this world with problems. Here in Casa Luz I have learned that God does not give us more than we handle. I now know that I have God in my life to give me strength and be the person that I am today.
Tatiana
I came to Casa Luz because I was looking for a safe place for my daughter and myself. I was desperately looking for protection, peace of mind and professional psychological care.
Once in Casa Luz I found that peace and that support and love by the staff but more importantly I found the spiritual fulfillment so lacking in my life. Casa Luz is a place where discipline is reinforced and that has helped me to set goals and find ways to reach them.
Coming to Casa Luz, I strengthened my faith in God and in his word. I have allowed him into my life and know that he is always there to help us out in difficult times. I have also learned to trust and leave everything in God's hands and he will take care of me and my daughter.
I have learned to be a good mother and to understand my role as mother and a woman. Casa Luz has given me life skills that are helping me integrate back into society. Among the courses I have taken are personal development and self esteem, maternal courses (how to become better mothers; learn to listen to our children and be sensitive of their needs).
For the future I see myself finishing up my high school and starting a career in criminology. I know that if I am able to complete my studies I will be able to give my daughter a better life.
Emotionally I have been able to learn to speak without fear or fear of a negative response from others. I have learned to have confidence in myself and in the decisions I make. I have learned that it is important to believe in myself and to go after my dreams myself and not depend on others to fulfill my dreams.