People in Movement
Our support of people in challenging movement is rooted in the unique hospitality of Casa de los Amigos and its rich multicultural community, combining direct service, education and collaboration. The Casa works to support migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking in Mexico City. We are involved with Mexican civil society and create awareness in the Casa community about the roots and realities of migration and the right to asylum in Mexico.
Our current projects in this area are coordinated by the Migration Committee, which is made up of full-time volunteers and the Peace Programs Coordinator.
Our Current Work
The Solidarity Hospitality program offers temporary hospitality and accompaniment for a select number of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and victims of crime. Our positive international community and team of live-in volunteers offer a supportive space for this vulnerable population to begin their process of integration into Mexican society. In addition, the Casa offers breakfast, telephone calls, orientation about the city and assistance with other basic needs.
La Casa de los Amigos works in coordination with civil, governmental and international organizations such as Sin Fronteras, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Mennonite Central Committee.
Spanish Classes: We work with Sin Fronteras to offer Spanish classes for migrants and refugees, who come from all over the world. From Monday to Friday, students come to the Casa to learn Spanish and interact with other members of the Casa community. The Casa also organizes cultural outings and events for students.
Resource Guide: The Casa de los Amigos has a resource guide available for migrants and refugees in Mexico City, supporting us to connect people who come to our doors to the appropriate organizations and institutions.
Tochán: The Casa supports the Tochan migrant shelter, which means “Our House” in Nahuatl. Tochan offers part-time emergency lodging, accompaniment and other social services for mainly Central American migrants. *Tochan does not have an open door policy and receives migrants channeled by partner organizations.
Awareness: The Casa welcomes groups that are interested in learning more about migration in Mexico, the right to asylum, and the roots of migration. This includes all-day activities as well as week-long service learning trips. Regular events are also organized, such as presentations, discussions and documentary screenings
Weaving Networks: This work cannot be done alone. La Casa is part of a network of organizations that support migrants and refugees in Mexico City.
Staff of the Casa attend events, meetings, conferences and workshops related to migration and are part of the community advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees.
Other projects include hosting the Caravan of Central American Mothers each year, offering meeting space for local cooperatives who work on immigration issues, and hosting the Popular Assembly of Migrant Families.
Casa de los Amigos is a non-profit peace organization, a community center, the Mexico City home of Friends (Quakers), a social justice-oriented guest house and a home.