CASA MARIA 

Casa Maria is a safe place for neighbors to gather, receive groceries and clothing, and network with others about health care options, employment, and housing.  Everyone is welcome; we primarily serve Spanish-speaking immigrants in Richfield, Bloomington, Minneapolis, and the adjacent  communities in Minnesota.

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Who We Are 

Grounded in following Jesus and living our faith, Casa Maria provides services monthly to over 350 families.

 

Our mission is to improve the lives of the people in our community affected by

hunger, isolation, and limited social services.

 

Our vision is to live into God’s Beloved Community where all our

neighbors have the resources and social support to live a life of dignity and respect.

 

Each immigrant family in our community is unique and faces different challenges. Casa Maria’s goal is to  offer a variety of opportunities to foster healthy individuals and families. We do this by offering:

• Healthy foods

• Shared meals

• Health clinics

• Advocacy for immigrant rights

• Networking for employment and social services

• Mentoring

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Casa Maria History

Casa Maria was born from a desire to follow the Holy Spirit as she led us to do God’s work in our neighborhood.  In the Spring of 2020 as COVID ramped up, Rev. Julie and three teenagers (from our Spanish-speaking service at St. Nicholas) developed a series of questions to ask member of our faith community.  They were:

 

• How can we pray for you?

• How are you doing?

• What are your challenges?

 

The youth called members of our community and discerned that because of lost employment, food insecurity was a major concern.  Some of the youth and Rev. Julie began asking for food donations, which they delivered to families in our faith community and to our neighbors.

 

Based on our practices of following Jesus and grounded in Scripture, Casa Maria has grown into its own faith community that meets every Saturday.  What began as feeding people during COVID has evolved into Casa Maria - a sacred space that creates community in the name of Christ.

 

Join Us

We invite everyone to participate in Casa Maria

• Share a gift or skill—we need project planners, graphic and web designers, and more

• Volunteer—organize or hand out groceries, greet people, or collect data

• Attend a bilingual worship service

• Socialize and practice your Spanish or English

• Hold a food drive for dried beans and white rice; or personal care items

• Donate money

 

Community Partners

We invite you to become a community partner to help the future of Casa Maria.  Current partners include:

• The Episcopal Church in Minnesota

• St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Richfield, MN

• St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Minneapolis

• St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, St. Paul

• St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Edina

• Wana and Teng Vue Farm

• Good Courage Farm, Hutchinson

• Harvest from the Heart (Incarnation Catholic Church), Minneapolis

• Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), Bloomington

• Asamblea do los Derechos Civiles (Latino Advocacy Organization), St. Paul

• Hennepin County Health Equity Office

 

Contact—The Rev. Julie Luna

Email: julieluna@saint-nicks.org

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