Our Story
Casa de Amistad was founded in 2000 as a grassroots response to a housing crisis affecting Latino families in Athens, Georgia after the sale of the Garden Springs mobile-home community threatened displacement for many residents. Initially focused on emergency housing support, the organization expanded its work in the early 2000s by hiring a social worker, opening its first office, and launching educational and family support programs.
After receiving 501(c)(3) status in 2008, Casa de Amistad continued to grow, ultimately shifting its primary focus to adult education, literacy, and community empowerment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization played a critical role in meeting urgent community needs through emergency aid, food distribution, and public health outreach.
Today Casa de Amistad serves the Latino community and the broader Northeast Georgia region through education-centered programming and strong partnerships that promote opportunity, growth and community connection
2000
CDA began after the Garden Springs sale, when Hispanic families faced displacement and local residents with churches united to provide urgent support
2003
Community fundraising launched outreach, making it possible to hire a dedicated social worker serving the Hispanic community in Northeast Georgia
2004
CDA opened its first office; the social worker became Executive Director, starting community classes, literacy programs, and vital support groups for families
2008
CDA gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, a milestone that expanded its reach, strengthened services, and formalized its growing impact across the region
2020
Amid COVID-19, CDA led the Fondo Solidario, fulfilling 1,000+ aid requests and hosting food drives, PPE, testing, and vaccine clinics for Hispanic families
2024
With a growing volunteer network, Casa de Amistad pioneered its signature curriculum built on a 1-to-1 student-to-volunteer model.
Our Mission
Casa de Amistad empowers the Athens Latino community and neighbors across Northeast Georgia through educational programs that foster connection, develop skills, and support integration to build a stronger, more connected place to live, work, and grow.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to create opportunities for learning and connection that empower the Latino community and neighbors in the Athens area to collaborate and build a stronger future.
Our Vision
We envision an Athens where education bridges cultures and languages, enabling neighbors to connect with empathy and curiosity. Through these connections, we build a collaborative community that is stronger and more united.