More than 30 years ago Casa De Vida opened its doors in Reno - offering young, pregnant women a safe home and support services - before and after childbirth.
"Everything at Casa De Vida is free to all our residents,” explains Marie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities. “From our Wanda's closet where they can get supplies, through the housing, all the meals we provide - is all just gift from the community."
That community support has given 23-year-old Stephanie Funderburk, and her eight-week-old son - a home. But it's a lot more than just a kitchen, warm bed and a roof over their heads; "Knowing that I have stability for me and my son right now, is everything to me,” says Stephanie. “‘Cause I can work on going to school and do training."
The young mom moved in when she was six months pregnant.
"If I hadn't heard about Case De Vida or been accepted into this program, I probably would've had to put my son in foster care until I figured out a place to stay."
Baxter says the mission is long-term; "Our goal is always to take these individuals who had a crisis pregnancy and didn't really know where to go. Many may have been homeless or certainly in an unstable situation and to get them on to a path of stability."
Stephanie is now on track to start a career as a certified birth coach or doula; "I'm excited for my future, ‘cause I have all these things going for me and all the support of everybody."
And support from the community is what Casa De Vida relies on to keep offering their services; "So, this Thursday we have our fun and games fundraiser for Casa De Vida at The Renaissance,” smiles Baxter. “So we're gonna have the Bundox bocce ball, we have all kinds of fun things, they have the dart boards and the skeet ball, we have wine and beer pairings with some great appetizers."
Tickets are $125 per person and all proceeds benefit Casa De Vida.
Click link below for all the details:
https://casadevidareno.org/blogs/news/join-us-for-our-annual-fall-fundraiser
