Nuestra Casa De East Palo Alto

Nuestra Casa builds leaders who transform our community into one where every resident thrives.

At Nuestra Casa, we stand by our community’s side to help them navigate institutions, build people power, and use their voice to shape a new, more equitable community. Our programs in  East Palo Alto and its surrounding communities build leaders who transform our local community  and are actively engaged in our local economy, school district, and civic life. Together, we will build a community that leaves no one behind.

OUR PROGRAMS

PROMOTORA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

At Nuestra Casa, our unique model trains, supports, and coaches promotoras to take ownership of their neighborhood. These passionate leaders are parents and trusted messengers in our community who care deeply about justice and equity. They organize neighbors, facilitate workshops, and guide our programmatic priorities. We host an annual promotora training to build upon their leadership, advocacy, and outreach skills as well as their knowledge of community resources and initiatives.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

We pride ourselves in being responsive to our communities' needs. Throughout the year, we offer workshops that are relevant to the most pressing needs and we leverage our partnerships with other community organizations to provide the best resources available.

HOUSING JUSTICE

Our housing advocacy goal is to protect and preserve the existing housing supply in our neighborhoods. To do so, Nuestra Casa is uplifting and amplifying the voices of our Spanish-speaking and immigrant community. With the support of our Promotoras, our Housing Program Coordinator organizes and empowers community residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven (eastern Menlo Park), North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City. They help residents take ownership of their advocacy abilities and ensure the inclusion of low-income and immigrant communities in critical discussions and policies. 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

We're proud to be leading an effort towards environmental justice and equity that expands beyond our local neighborhoods to broader San Mateo County. Nuestra Casa informs and trains our traditionally underrepresented community to become environmental justice and equity leaders of their own merit. By teaching and unlocking the leadership potential of our local communities of color, they can understand, develop, and prioritize local solutions to more fully address environmental equity and justice issues. We believe our community can do more than just survive, but thrive in this climate reality. 

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

Nuestra Casa delivers fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, and other groceries to 6,000+ people per month in apartment buildings around East Palo Alto. We also run a weekly drive-through Food Distribution at Kipp Excelencia in Redwood City. We work with local grocery markets to rescue 8,000 pounds of high quality food and deliver these free items directly to families, saving them money and removing any transportation barriers or stigma. Every Saturday morning, we set up a farmers’ market-quality experience at locations throughout East Palo Alto with the help of our volunteers. 

POLICY & ADVOCACY

Nuestra Casa is a leader in local policy and decision-making to ensure it is aligned with our communities’ goals and needs. Our policy and advocacy work expands beyond our local neighborhoods to broader San Mateo County. Our staff have collaborated with other organizations and/or led important efforts and achieved impressive wins for our community.