Casa Familiar

Casa Familiar became a formally recognized Live Well San Diego partner during their 28th Annual Abrazo Awards Gala on August 22, 2014.

Casa Familiar serves one of the most underserved communities in San Diego County, San Ysidro.  The organization’s vision is for every individual’s and family’s dignity, power, and worth to flourish. Casa Familiar enhances quality of life through education, advocacy, services, housing and community economic development.  They help families thrive by providing valuable programs such a “Universidad para Padres,” hosting summer camps for youth, and providing computer classes.

Casa Familiar looks out for their “family” members’ health.  They offer physical activity opportunities for San Ysidro residents of all ages and physical abilities. They also shape the environment where they provide services.  Recently, Casa Familiar received a grant to improve the San Ysidro Community Park so everyone can enjoy recreational activity during their leisure time.  Casa Familiar increases safety in the community by providing outreach and input to the City of San Diego’s Community Plan Update and the Border Health Equity Study.  They completed a multi-year study with SDSU's School of Public Health that rounded out the first ever Air Quality analysis around the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry and Pedestrian Crosser Impacts through the Healthy Borders Project.

Looking ahead, Casa Familiar will host a Resident Leadership Academy with residents from the low-income housing Villanueva apartments.  They will also implement a bus pass program to help residents who don’t have access to transportation.  Casa Familiar will also be working with SANDAG's Update of San Diego Forward:  The 2050 Regional Plan under the Community Based Outreach Program which includes recommendations for Social Equity and Environmental Justice.