La Comunidad - The Community

CASA de Maryland opened its new Baltimore Office on 113 So. Broadway this month. CASA is Maryland's largest Latino community organization providing direct services, education through classes like ESOL, citizenship and civic participation, community organizing, and political advocacy to advance the long-term interests of Latinos in Maryland.

The grand opening which saw the presence of Senator Sarbanes and Mayor O'Malley as well as a packed house of community leaders, activists and workers at the church at 6 N. Broadway.

With its characteristic bluntness CASA made clear to all present that they are here to stay, work hard and provide services for the Hispanic community. To start they asked the Mayor in no uncertain terms that they want a building to act as a waiting area for morning workers waiting for their job pick ups. Currently many workers have to wait outdoors and some businesses in the community have protested for their loitering in their parking lots.

CASA also wants a permanent office from the Mayor whom they surprised with in-your-face, peremptory requests that put the Mayor on the spot. Not an auspicious start for an organization that is going to require quite a bit of help from the City.

CASA's arrival in Baltimore was greeted with great expectations by the community. We hope the organization works closely with existing Hispanic groups, particularly EBLO, the Hispanic Apostolate and Centro de la Comunidad, to coordinate efforts and achieve the greatest gains for our community in our charmed city.

Welcome.