Hello, my name is Lenze. In 2003, my mother and I moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin with my baby sister Monica. We stayed at the Greyhound bus station for the night and the next day we found Casa Maria. I was 11 years old when we came to Milwaukee and Casa made me feel at home. My mom said that Casa Maria was giving us a second chance at life and now I see what she was talking about. We moved to Casa from Chicago, and they helped my mom with everything from getting the apartment to furnishing it, changing addresses, and adapting to Milwaukee.
With the donations from many different people, they helped me, my 2 brothers, and baby sister get nice clothing to put on our backs. Now, I am 21 year old going for an automotive major at MATC and back at Casa to volunteer whenever and wherever I can help. Casa Maria has helped me through a lot of hardships I’ve been through and much more. And now I would like to give a little back to the community, and hopefully become a Casa Maria worker one day.
ANOTHER REFELCTION…When I came to Casa Maria I was heartbroken and shameful after a week here there in Milwaukee. All the volunteers at Casa Maria were helpful at lending a hand and a listening ear. Casa Maria does not make you feel homeless or like you are in a shelter. It is more like in a home with your own rooms. They have showed me that there is no shame in being homeless. Four families stay here at a time and it is very kid friendly and the workers are resourceful.
I am here on bed rest and I must say most of the volunteers and moms have been helping me and my children by lending a hand and keeping an eye on them while I rest, for which I am very blessed. For those who take time out to read these letters, Casa Maria is in need of outing funds. Outing funds are for children who live at Casa Maria to go on outdoor adventures such as movies, museums, malls, libraries, out to eat... just for time away so our children don’t have meltdowns during transitions. My kids have been on many outings like Discovery World and skating.
Grocery funds are needed to. While some food gets donated, most moms like to cook and we have to have enough for everyone in the house. We can use infant and toddler items like clothes, bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, pack-n-plays.
The older children need socks, jeans, underwear, undershirts, school supplies, uniforms, bras and coats. The women really appreciate all donations. Families come in with a little or nothing and almost always leave with things that come in from donations. We can use furniture like beds, fridges, microwaves, sofas, and couches. Thank you for reading. –Anonymous Mom at Casa Maria
Colleen’s Jokes
Two archaeologists fly to Kenya where they purchase 6 stone statues. As the crew is loading the small plane to return, the pilot says the aircraft can take only 4 statues back. “Last time, the pilot let us take all 6, and she had the same kind of plane as yours,” argued the first archaeologist. Reluctantly the pilot gives in and takes off. But the little plane is too heavy, and it goes down. Climbing out of the wreckage, the second archaeologist turns to the other, “Any idea where we are?” The first replies, “I’d say we’re pretty close to where we crashed last time.”
They make cat food out of cow, fish, turkey, chicken & lamb meat, but not mouse meat, which is probably all cats really want.
I got my looks from my father. Mostly just the look of disappointment.
“When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” ----Henny Youngman
Two great white sharks swimming in the ocean spy some surfers. The younger one licks her lips and makes a beeline for them. “Wait a minute,” says his mother, stopping her. “First we swim around them with just the tip of our fins showing.” And they do. “Now we eat everybody.” When they are both gorged, the daughter asks, “Mom, why didn’t we just eat them when we first saw them?” “Because they taste better without all the poop inside.”
Art Room… Thanks to a grant from St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, our art space at Pat’s House has expanded. The art space provides children and teens an opportunity to express themselves artistically and spend time in an educational environment away from the hustle and bustle of Casa Maria. There is also computer access for moms to look for jobs and housing as well as receive support and advocacy from Casa Maria volunteers.
HOUSE NEEDS: size 1 diapers , cereal, juice, fruit, sugar, butter, bleach, ranch dressing, baby formula, prayers
With the donations from many different people, they helped me, my 2 brothers, and baby sister get nice clothing to put on our backs. Now, I am 21 year old going for an automotive major at MATC and back at Casa to volunteer whenever and wherever I can help. Casa Maria has helped me through a lot of hardships I’ve been through and much more. And now I would like to give a little back to the community, and hopefully become a Casa Maria worker one day.
ANOTHER REFELCTION…When I came to Casa Maria I was heartbroken and shameful after a week here there in Milwaukee. All the volunteers at Casa Maria were helpful at lending a hand and a listening ear. Casa Maria does not make you feel homeless or like you are in a shelter. It is more like in a home with your own rooms. They have showed me that there is no shame in being homeless. Four families stay here at a time and it is very kid friendly and the workers are resourceful.
I am here on bed rest and I must say most of the volunteers and moms have been helping me and my children by lending a hand and keeping an eye on them while I rest, for which I am very blessed. For those who take time out to read these letters, Casa Maria is in need of outing funds. Outing funds are for children who live at Casa Maria to go on outdoor adventures such as movies, museums, malls, libraries, out to eat... just for time away so our children don’t have meltdowns during transitions. My kids have been on many outings like Discovery World and skating.
Grocery funds are needed to. While some food gets donated, most moms like to cook and we have to have enough for everyone in the house. We can use infant and toddler items like clothes, bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, pack-n-plays.
The older children need socks, jeans, underwear, undershirts, school supplies, uniforms, bras and coats. The women really appreciate all donations. Families come in with a little or nothing and almost always leave with things that come in from donations. We can use furniture like beds, fridges, microwaves, sofas, and couches. Thank you for reading. –Anonymous Mom at Casa Maria
Colleen’s Jokes
Two archaeologists fly to Kenya where they purchase 6 stone statues. As the crew is loading the small plane to return, the pilot says the aircraft can take only 4 statues back. “Last time, the pilot let us take all 6, and she had the same kind of plane as yours,” argued the first archaeologist. Reluctantly the pilot gives in and takes off. But the little plane is too heavy, and it goes down. Climbing out of the wreckage, the second archaeologist turns to the other, “Any idea where we are?” The first replies, “I’d say we’re pretty close to where we crashed last time.”
They make cat food out of cow, fish, turkey, chicken & lamb meat, but not mouse meat, which is probably all cats really want.
I got my looks from my father. Mostly just the look of disappointment.
“When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” ----Henny Youngman
Two great white sharks swimming in the ocean spy some surfers. The younger one licks her lips and makes a beeline for them. “Wait a minute,” says his mother, stopping her. “First we swim around them with just the tip of our fins showing.” And they do. “Now we eat everybody.” When they are both gorged, the daughter asks, “Mom, why didn’t we just eat them when we first saw them?” “Because they taste better without all the poop inside.”
Art Room… Thanks to a grant from St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, our art space at Pat’s House has expanded. The art space provides children and teens an opportunity to express themselves artistically and spend time in an educational environment away from the hustle and bustle of Casa Maria. There is also computer access for moms to look for jobs and housing as well as receive support and advocacy from Casa Maria volunteers.
HOUSE NEEDS: size 1 diapers , cereal, juice, fruit, sugar, butter, bleach, ranch dressing, baby formula, prayers