"Many poor people living in shacks came to our convent to ask for food ..."

In 1941, the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Peace came as missionaries to Baja California. The Sisters only had a chicken house they converted into their first convent.

In 1952, a small convent was built in the suburban hill colony, where the Casa is now. Many poor people who lived in shacks, with no roads, no water, and no schools would come to the convent to ask for food and clothes.

The Sisters wanted to built a place to take care of these poor people in the hill areas. In 1957, a piece of land near the convent was loaned to the Sisters, to start a place to feed the poor people. It included a horse stable, which became the first building of Casa de los Pobres.

The children received school lessons from the Sisters.

Bread was distributed when available, as well as clothes.

A small wooden room was added and a volunteer doctor would come from time to time to help with medical care for those in such great need.

In 1972, services were improved when a small clinic was built, and the dining room was expanded.

The people who come to the Casa for help also volunteer at the Casa. They have been a great support for the daily tasks needed to keep the clinic, dining room, grocery room, and clothing room operating. These volunteers receive a small bag of groceries for their work.

The Casa is also involved in:

• Delivering food for prisoners in two local jails
• Giving shelter and housing. Families show up at the Casa, sometimes with babies, with no place to go.
• Providing scholarships to children and teenagers, to help them get an education and break the cycle of poverty.
• Arranging for burial, when these poorest of the poor pass away.

Completely supported by donations for more than 50 years

All of the Casa's services are provided through donations of food, services, and money from various kind souls and organizations. The Casa relies solely on your generosity.

But no one is ever turned away at the Casa. Please help the Sisters continue their mission to serve these people.

Donate today if you can. Every donation helps.