La Casa

DESCRIPTION: La Casa is a transitional housing program for migrant farm workers in Wayne County. Located in Sodus, La Casa can house up to 14 persons at one time, offering lodging to farm workers and their families. Farm workers can need short-term housing when grower-provided housing is unavailable or when health issues prevent a laborer from returning to work, to name a few examples. The typical stay at La Casa can last from 60 to 90 days.

La Casa helps its residents find more permanent housing and makes referrals to health, education and social services. A food pantry is available at La Casa for emergency food needs of residents. La Casa also advocates on behalf of the migrant farm worker community, seeking to obtain fair treatment and to promote legislation that will provide migrant farm workers with a legal status that best serves them, the people that employ them and the surrounding community.

STAFF: The services of La Casa are coordinated by Peter Mares, who is fluent in both English and Spanish. La Casa also benefits from the active support of numerous volunteers, who paint, landscape, make repairs and provide other services of value to La Casa residents.

FUNDING: The majority of funding for La Casa is currently provided by the Diocese of Rochester. La Casa receives donations from individuals, churches and other community groups. Emergency food is supplied by Foodlink Food Bank. In addition, residents of La Casa frequently contribute to the cost of operating La Casa.