Case de Esperanza helps people connect, director tells GVCCC

Casa de Esperanza, house of hope, is a house of volunteers and help for those that need it.

Executive Director Bill McCreery told the directors of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council on Thursday of the many programs it has to help the young, the old and the in between cope with life in the Green Valley area.

McCreery said there are more than 200 people who volunteer at Casa de Esperanza, and he indicated he can always use more.

McCreery told the GVCCC directors that Casa de Esperanza helps those who come to it to “connect to a better life.”

There are day-care programs at Casa, which is located east of Green Valley in the pecan groves near La Posada at Park Centre.

There’s a day-care program for youngsters, where parents can leave them while at work, and there’s another program for older people.

The older one are often in the care of a family member and can spend the day at Casa while the family member pursues such things as running errands.

Casa arranges senior lunch, for someone who lives alone, but wants to make friends while breaking bread.

And Casa has transportation to get them and deliver them afterwards.

There’s a $2 donation for the drop-off service.

The halls and meeting rooms are filled every day, with such programs as card games, exercise classes, reading groups, and even classes in how to cope with domestic violence.

There are blood pressure clinics, tips on how to prevent falls, weight watchers and meditation.

Casa also scheduled outings, visiting the Desert Diamond Casino buffet and the Cow Palace during January.

In a month’s time, 68 people attend Casa for meals, and they catch 290 rides for the meals or the other services.

Casa de Esperanza depends on contributions, some government contracts and charges fees, some of them very small for those on tight budgets, McCreery said.

There’s mental health counseling and help for those who want to connect with some of Green Valley’s assistance services.

In other coordinating council business, Executive Director Joyce Finkelstein said the new directories for the Green Valley-Sahuarita area should be distributed Feb. 20 and 21.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749

Details

What: Casa de Esperanza offers health, social and human services to aid families, seniors and young people in Green Valley and surrounding communities.

Where: 780 S. Park Centre Ave., near La Posada campus off Continental Road.

When: Open Monday through Friday. Center offers daily noon lunch for $2 suggested donation.

Phone: 625-2273