Our Program

At Casa Valentina, we use a program model that incorporates a wide range of services including safe and affordable housing, a comprehensive life skills curriculum, and an environment of support where residents can focus on achieving their education, employment and financial goals and gaining the strength and self-esteem they need to reach their full potential.

Safe And Affordable Housing
		For transitioning foster youth, housing is their greatest need and biggest obstacle. For a modest monthly fee of $320, Casa Valentina residents live in fully furnished apartments. Each apartment has a computer and printer, and all utilities, including cable and wireless Internet, are included. Residents live at Casa Valentina in one of our two apartment buildings for one to three years, based on their individual needs.
Life Skills
		Community/life skills workshops are held once per week using an award-winning curriculum designed for youth aging out of foster care that covers topics such as self-advocacy, communication, employment, nutrition, personal health, relationships, self-esteem and financial literacy. Workshops are supplemented by presentations, field trips and other projects with collaborative community and program partners.
Environment of Support
		All residents receive staff support in individual and group settings and have access to education mentors, tutors, job coaches and other positive adult role models.  Over the course of their stay at Casa Valentina, residents work toward achieving specific, individualized goals as outlined in their Casa Valentina Life Plan and meet weekly with staff to address issues such as school, work, medical care and money management.

Testimonials:

“Lack of housing is by far the most difficult and most frequent obstacle that faces mentors and foster youth in our program. We have found that a secure and stable home environment really gives the youth the foundation they need to finish school and go to college. Especially for young women, desperate circumstances force many of them to live with boyfriends or in unsafe places, and as a result, about 30% of our young foster girls become young mothers. For these reasons and more, Casa Valentina is one of the most important projects for the foster care population in our community.”
— Virginia Emmons, CEO, Educate Tomorrow

“The energy, commitment and activism that Casa Valentina has inspired in this community are a testament to the positive social change that is possible when we join together and work toward a shared goal. The young women from our foster care system who are touched by Casa Valentina's efforts will gain access to the tools they need to succeed in life, and they will be connected to an incredible women-led movement to transform the way our child welfare system works. These resources and experiences will no doubt shape their futures as women – and as leaders and activists in this world.”
— Patricia Ireland, Labor Lawyer and National President of NOW, 1991-2001

Miami Gardens Program Spotlight