Casa Chirilagua

 About Casa Chirilagua 

Casa Chirilagua is a Christ-centered community organization serving the Arlandria–Chirilagua neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia. For nearly 20 years, Casa has been a trusted presence among immigrant families, building relationships that strengthen children, support parents, and foster long-term stability.

We are known for our youth programs: Kids Club, Teens Club, and Casa to Career where students receive mentoring, academic support, leadership development, and enrichment opportunities in safe and encouraging spaces.

But Casa is more than an after-school program.

When families face hardship such as economic strain, housing challenges, or family disruption, Casa provides guidance, advocacy, and steady support. Each year we walk alongside hundreds of families through long-term relationships built on trust and dignity.

Our work is rooted in faith and guided by a simple belief: every family deserves stability, every child deserves belonging, and every neighbor deserves dignity. Casa Chirilagua exists to be an ally of hope and dignity in our community.

Casa Chirilagua Impact – FY2025

Impact Snapshot

• 52 families received direct support and referrals connecting them to essential services such as food assistance, healthcare, legal support, housing resources, and educational programs.
• 103 children and youth participated in Casa’s core youth programs including Kids Club, Teens Club, and Casa to Career, receiving mentoring, academic support, and leadership development.
• Over 150 after-school program sessions provided safe spaces for learning, mentoring, and healthy activities throughout the school year. (estimated across programs for clarity)
• 2,830+ hours of direct relational support were invested by staff walking closely with families through challenges related to housing, employment, education, and family stability.
• 149 volunteers served as mentors, tutors, coaches, and program supporters, contributing approximately 2,115 volunteer hours to strengthen the community.
• 7+ community events and family gatherings created opportunities for parents and children to build relationships, access resources, and grow together.
• Multiple educational and leadership opportunities including workshops, field trips, and mentoring experiences helped youth expand their vision for their future.

But beyond the numbers, it’s the individual stories that define our mission.

Become an Ally of Justice and Hope

Recently, a mother in our neighborhood called Casa in a moment of panic. Her husband had been detained while driving, and the car was left behind. She didn’t know where to begin, how to recover the vehicle, who to call, or how to navigate a system that felt overwhelming and unfamiliar. She was suddenly facing the weight of holding her family together alone.

Casa responded immediately. Our team helped recover the car, connected her with trusted legal guidance, and walked with her step by step through a confusing process. When her husband was eventually transferred and deported, she did not face that painful moment alone. She had a community beside her.

In another family, a father has been detained for more than a month. The family learned they would need nearly $13,000 to secure his release. The fear and uncertainty have been overwhelming. Casa stepped in to help translate complex legal processes, connect them with advocates, and support the family through each step. At the same time, our parent-led board, La Directiva, organized a “basket of love” filled with groceries and essentials to help meet immediate needs. Their children continue to find stability and encouragement through Casa’s youth programs.

Moments like these remind us why this work matters. In seasons when families feel fear, confusion, and isolation, Casa becomes a place of steady support a community that responds with compassion, practical help, and dignity.

This Spring2Action, you are invited to become an Ally of Hope and Dignity. Your generosity helps ensure that when families in Alexandria face their hardest moments, they do not face them alone.

Join Us in Making a Difference

This Spring2Action, you have the power to bring hope to our community. When neighbors lift each other up, true transformation happens. Your generosity ensures that families like the Garcias receive the support they need to heal and thrive.

Give today. Walk with us. Together, we build a stronger community.

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If you’d like to hear more stories, updates, and ways to get involved, we’d love to stay in touch.
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