Every Family Counts
Adult immigrants are a vital part of many Lower Yakima Valley communities. They continue to be under-served and in dire need of access to basic educational resources. Due to this inequity, adult immigrants struggle to integrate fully into our communities.
The biggest challenge faced by both immigrants and other community members is the former’s varying levels of proficiency in reading, writing and speaking the English language as well as their lack of knowledge about health, their children’s education, and available services for their family. Within this broad under-served community, women are the least supported members; but what they learn can have the greatest positive effect on their overall family’s education and well-being.
To counter this inequity, Nuestra Casa assists in removing some of the immediate barriers and provides services to address these issues. Adult English Classes (ESL) and Citizenship Classes are our core programs. Additionally, we offer courses and workshops on financial literacy, leadership, justice, Spanish literacy, and health literacy. We also promote civic engagement by immigrants through a variety of special programs. Complete integration of all community members is essential to Lower Yakima Valley’s ability to thrive in the future.
Nuestra Casa programs in Sunnyside serve immigrants from these Lower Yakima Valley communities: Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Outlook, Sunnyside, Toppenish, and Zillah. Programs in Prosser and Sunnyside serve immigrants that live in Benton City, Pasco, and Prosser.
Nuestra Casa’s Mission
Through education, advocacy and mutual support, Nuestra Casa empowers immigrants to create positive changes, enriching themselves, their families and their communities.
Programs
English Classes (ELL)
At Nuestra Casa, participants in the ESL classes can expect to expand their knowledge of the English language. Three levels of English are offered throughout the year. Participants have the option of enrolling in either day or evening classes.
Registration is open year-round depending on availability and classroom size.
Life Skills Courses
Nuestra Casa understands that Immigrant integration into our communities involves more than just learning the English language. As students of Nuestra Casa, they will have the opportunity to partake in other learning opportunities to help them transition into their new community. Life skill courses are offered as requested.
Citizenship Classes
The U.S. Naturalization process is daunting for most and especially for non English speaking residents. Here at Nuestra Casa, we encourage qualifying legal permanent residents to pursue their citizenship dreams and help them through the process. We pride ourselves in offering an inclusive space for participants to learn the civics, reading and writing needed to pass the interview portion of the naturalization process. Our instructor led Citizenship Class is offered quarterly for ten weeks and is always evolving.
Recent News
Nuestra Casa Receives Community Grant
Banner Bank recognized Nuestra Casa for our positive impact in the community by awarding
Citizenship Students Travel to Olympia
Through our Creando Communidades partnership (lead by La Casa Hogar), Nuestra Casa citizenship class
Wish List
Items listed below are those we can always use to support our classrooms and
Immersion with Immigrants
For the seventh year we welcomed the University of Portland's Immersions group.
New Tradition is Good Nutrition
Here at Nuestra Casa we continue to nourish our relationship with WSU– Yakima County
October 2018 Newsletter
All the Latest News Download the October 2018 Newsletter for all the latest news!
Hidden in Plain Sight
On September 28, 2018, Nuestra Casa hosted the Hidden in Plain Sight event where
Grandview Community Parade
Students and Staff gather and participate in the Grandview Community Parade in August 2018.