Casa San Jose (an Agency of Catholic Charities of Gallup), is a
residential program servicing pregnant and parenting teens from all over New
Mexico and Northen Arizona. It has been in existence for over 25 years. Our
programs are directed to provide a safe and supportive home within a religious
atmosphere. They are targeted to teens who do not have the personal means or
family support necessary to bring a child into the world and know how to care for
it. We are often the only alternative to abortion, jail, or living on the
street. Casa San Jose operates three simultaneous programs: a shelter
group home, a semi-independent living program and an outreach program for teens
living in the communities of Grants and Zuni, New Mexico. The shelter group home provides for up to 8
pregnant and/or parenting teens with their children. The setting is a main
house and separate bedrooms and baths for the residents. The teens are required
to successfully continue their education from elementary through college. Ages
vary from 12 through 18. Parenting, home-making skills, and some life skills
are taught on a weekly basis. The shelter offers assistance with child care,
tutoring, and counseling services. Community resources for medical, dental, eye
care, financial, WIC, substance abuse counseling, psyciatric services,
recreation, supervised play, human services, etc., are utilized to be sure that
the teens and their children’s needs are met. Residents are required to go to a
Church of their choice to ground them in a relationship with a God who loves them. The semi-independent living program is used for
older teens (18~21), who have either completed the Parenting portion of Casa’s
Program or demonstrate maturity and reliable responsibility in caring for
themselves and their children. Casa has two apartments and a small trailer for
independent living for teens. This program gives the young women life skill
classes; greater freedom and responsibility; and is grounded in completing
their high school education and/or beginning college. They are responsible for
providing their own and their child’s meals, keeping a clean and safe
environment, and demonstrating maturity in decisions that effect their lives.
It is a first step in preparing them to live on their own and being responsible
adults. The Outreach Case Manager attempts to work with
teens (boys and girls), in the communities of Grants and/or Zuni, who have a
child or are preparing for parenthood. Life skills classes, case management of
their needs, educational and social activities, help these teens be connected with others,
while living at home, on their own, with another relative or a significant
other. These classes and activities may be court ordered or voluntarily
attended. They are offered with the hope of assisting teen
parents in preparing for and adjusting to the stresses of parenthood. Casa San Jose has effectively recruited and utilized the
services of volunteers and volunteer groups from throughout the USA. These
groups do anything and everything to help keep Casa in good working order;
provide added services; or to reach out to parenting
teens in their challenges as young mothers who need supportive relationships.
Casa San Jose (505)285-5451
2595 W. Highway 66, Grants, New Mexico, 87020
Casa San Jose
If you are interested in being a volunteer,
giving a donation, or obtaining further information about Casa San Jose
Programs, click here to e-mail click here to email Sister Francine Schuster, Director of Casa
San Jose. You may contact Sr. Francine at:
2595 W. Hwy. 66
Grants, NM 87020
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