Casa de Sueños or “The Dream House,” grew out of an independent living program called the FOCUSED House, designed for youth coming out of the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) or Child Protective Services (CPS). It is now a program fully devoted to unaccompanied minors who have come into the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement providing family reunification services along with safe and secure shelter.

Like the FOCUSED house, Casa De Sueños uses effective Youth Development (YD) practices by offering quality services, opportunities for success and well rounded supports.

Casa De Sueños offers case management and reunification services, access to pro bono lawyers and complete medical screenings, vaccinations and TB testing. Individual and Group therapy is also provided by a clinician. Upon entry, youth are provided with new clothes, shoes and hygiene material. They are enrolled in a locally accredited school and receive further tutoring and English language acquisition instruction at the program facility. Minors are given phone calls home regularly.

Casa De Sueños encourages all minors to participate in the various recreational opportunities available. The property has a small soccer field and goals, a basketball court, a billiard table and various other sports and leisure equipment. Kids have access to the Arizona Science Center and the Phoenix Zoo. Recreational outings have included skating, swimming, nature hikes and movies. Youth are also provided opportunities to practice their faith of choice.

This program recognizes the resiliency and strengths innate in each minor attending the program. They are supported in making key decisions about their life such as reunification with family members. Daily groups and house meetings provide emotional and motivational support during this challenging period. Our high staff to youth ratio means that there is always someone there for the minor to turn to when he needs support, guidance or positive acknowledgement.

Did you know...

Each year, an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States. The number of U.S. citizens trafficked within the country each year is even higher, with an estimated 200,000 American children at risk for trafficking into the sex industry.

(U.S. Department of Justice. 2004. Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Fiscal Year 2003. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.)

Current Program Goals:

Casa De Sueños would like to plant one vegetable garden for year round use and another one that would produce a variety of vegetables could be shared with the other programs using existing space on site.  

Staff Quote:

“Working with this population I have come to realize that I truly am blessed beyond measure.  The minors we meet risk there lives to come here to the United States traveling with people they don’t know and often under terrible conditions to have a piece of what I had taken for granted in this country.  It feels good to use the skills I have developed working with disadvantaged youth over the years to help each minor along their journey.” – Bridgett Bowler, Program Manager

Client Quote:

“Cuando vine a los Estados Unidos, nunca me imaginaba que me iba a poner en un hogar como este. Nos dan de comer.  Nos llevan a varios lugares al parque al club. Nos tratan como familia. Estoy muy agradecido estar aquí.” – Cliente

Translation
“When I came here to the United States, I never imagined that I would be put in a group home like this.  You feed us here.  You take us to places like the park or the Boy’s and Girl’s Club.  You treat us like family.  I am very grateful for being here.” – Client

Volunteer Opportunities:

We are currently seeking volunteers with experience to provide vocational services to our youth such as working with leather, ceramics, clay or pottery, stained glass, calligraphy, wood carving or other safe trade or craft. All volunteers will receive training from Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development and must undergo a reference check and obtain a fingerprint clearance card. All volunteers must obtain approval by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Casa de Sueños is also seeking a volunteer to help the youth create and maintain a garden. We also are looking for any donations of plants shrubs, trees and herbs and donation of time and labor to install an irrigation system.