The Garcia Family: A Story of Hope and Healing Through Community

Mar 29, 2025

Casa Chirilagua is more than a place, it’s a family. For 18 years, we have walked alongside the community. 

 For seven years, the Garcia family has been an integral part of this family. In 2017, Mrs. Rebeca reached out in support for her children, Luis and Sofia, after hearing about our programs from neighbors. Over the years, we’ve celebrated many milestones with them—Luis’ graduation from Casa 2 Career, Sofia’s 5th-grade graduation from Kids Club, and Mrs. Rebeca’s active participation in our parent programs. 

 But in the fall of 2024, tragedy struck when both parents passed away within three months of each other. Once again, Casa Chirilagua was there, offering the family support and comfort. Through our family program coordinator, they received emotional and spiritual care, along with practical resources to help them navigate their immense loss.  

Amid their grief, the Garcia family has found strength through the unwavering love and support of their community. Sofia continues to receive academic support and is also growing spiritually through Bible studies. We are committed to honoring Mrs. Rebeca’s dream: “I want my children to graduate before I leave this world.” 

Casa Chirilagua stands by families in moments of both celebration and sorrow, offering not just support, but love, resources, and advocacy. The future is built when we come together. 

This Spring2Action, you can be a part of that healing. When neighbors lift each other up, true transformation happens. Your generosity ensures that families like the Garcias receive the support they need to heal and thrive. Together, we can bring hope to our community—in trouble times no family should walk alone. 

We are a community of people “learning together to love our neighbors as ourselves” in a Latino neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia.

As a faith-based Christian non-profit with a small staff and over 100 volunteers, we serve alongside more than 100 families and their children (1st-12th grades) each week through our community programs.

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Our relational network of volunteers and donors reflects a diverse group of individuals from all over the Washington, D.C. metro area. As a non-profit, we rely on the community for assisting program directors on-site, being mentors, supplying the needs of our food pantry, and everything in between. Each member of our Casa community holds a unique gift, whether time, talent or treasure.